Brewery takes shot at Astros with 'Trash Can Banger' beer
The Houston Astros have been berated for their sign-stealing scandal since the day the news broke many months ago, but now a New Jersey brewery is taking things up a notch.
While fans won't be able to boo the Astros on the field this season, as ballparks will be empty if and when the 2020 campaign begins, the Departed Soles brewery created a new beer called "Trash Can Banger" that features stripes from Houston's early '80s uniforms.
Owner and head brewer Brian Kulbacki told NJ.com that his staff came up with the idea for the beer mocking the Astros while trying to keep his business afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic. The beer is a session IPA with 5.4 alcohol content and baseball fans from both Texas and, of course, Los Angeles have called the brewery to inquire about getting their hands on some of the cans.
The Astros were fined $5 million for the scandal on top of losing two first and second-round draft picks. Both general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were suspended for the entire 2020 season and, as a result, were fired by the organization for their involvement in the cheating.
While Houston won't be docked its 2017 World Series title, it'll forever be tainted by sign-stealing and many players no longer see Astros players as respectable athletes.
The brewery staff aren't the only ones mocking the Astros as of late. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti mocked Houston in his remarks at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, and Washington Nationals players ridiculed the Astros during a Zoom meeting while they relived their 2019 World Series title.
This new beer is only the latest installment of ridicule heaped on the Astros.
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