Draft Picks: Stripers serve up historical Pilsner

This is the first in a series of MiLB.com Draft Picks articles about clubs crafting unique and interesting beers for their respective fan bases. Others in the series: <a href="https://www.milb.com/news/draft-picks-spokane-indians-honor-heritage-with-beer" target="blank">Spokane's Redband Tangerine Wheat Beer, Fayetteville's Birdy Brew and Kannapolis' Baller Beer._

What’s better than watching a 6-4-3 double play? Watching a 6-4-3 double play while sipping on one.

The new 6-4-3 Pilsner from Pontoon Brewing and the Gwinnett Stripers is just the beverage for the job. The Braves' Triple-A affiliate teamed up with the craft beer company to bring fans a special brew available at Coolray Field and throughout Georgia.

"This partnership unites two fun-loving brands, the Stripers and Pontoon Brewing," Gwinnett GM Erin McCormick said in a press release. "It’s the perfect beer to sip while relaxing at Coolray Field on a warm summer day! We’re excited for our fans to enjoy this new beer both at the ballpark and across our shared home state.”

The collaboration features some special Striper-themed can art. The signature logo of the Sandy Springs-based brewing company is an otter, which is featured on almost all of the brand's drinks. For the special Gwinnett edition, the otters took the ballfield decked out in the team's jerseys.

6-4-3, not just a double play, but a home-run beer! Come out and enjoy this co-branded pilsner at Stripers games and at Pontoon Brewing all season long. pic.twitter.com/pOzemNQeSZ

— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) May 5, 2023

The otters sport the numbers 4, 18 and 27. Diehard Gwinnett fans might know the significance behind the choices, but for those who do not, here’s the history behind it.

The otter donning No. 4 in the Stripers' pinstripe home jersey looks to be the second baseman. That’s because 4 is not just any number, it belonged to Sean Kazmar Jr., the franchise leader for career hits. In eight seasons with the club, Kazmar Jr. racked up 675 knocks. In 2019, the infielder even pitched in three games, earning a win and posting a 0.00 ERA.

The No. 18 jersey signifies 2018 -- the first year Gwinnett took the Stripers logo and name -- and No. 27 belongs to Matt Tuiasosopo, the ballclub's current manager. The versatile former Major Leaguer spent 2016-17 with the Triple-A club before retiring and becoming the skipper in 2021.

The 6-4-3 was brewed with a traditional German-style Pilsner base and has a taste said to be light, crisp and low in bitterness. If fans snag one at the park, they are not only drinking a specialty beer, but also a little bit of Stripers history.

"With many of us in the company growing up playing or watching baseball, this partnership is like a dream come true," Pontoon Brewing sales VP Kris Kelleher said in a press release. "What better way to tie a baseball organization and local brewery together, right?!”