and welcome back friends between bells and cheddar news.
I'm baker machado in new york.
The first week 18 in NFL history also turned out to be
one of the more wild wilder final weeks in recent memory,
underdogs pulled off some pretty shocking victories, playoff hopes were dashed
and records were even broken.
So who better to recap these games with us than
Hall of Fame quarterback And three Time Super Bowl Champ.
Mr Troy, Aikman Troy good to have you here on cheddar news
Baker. Thank you for having me appreciate it. All right.
So before we get to your business venture, which I'm very excited to talk about,
I want to get your thoughts on the week 18 playoff game or the game's,
which led to the playoffs that we've got this next weekend.
What do you think of these week 18 games? Should we keep them
well? We're keeping them. The NFL is making a lot of money with that extra game.
So they're not going away. But yeah, it was just a fantastic weekend. Our game
Between the rams and the 40 niners went into overtime and uh, you know,
the Steeler or excuse me, the chargers
Raiders game did as well.
A lot of great finishes and and that's what's
made the NFL as exciting as what it's been.
Okay.
So I want to get your take on that,
that Raiders Chargers game because that was crazy because going into that game,
both those teams just needed a tie and they both, whatever the playoffs,
which is crazy to think about.
And the worst part is we almost got a tie
having,
having played in this league.
Have you ever thought to yourself man wouldn't be nice to have a tie in this game.
I really want to play for a tie.
No,
you know bear Bryant famously said a tie is like
kissing your sister and I would agree with that.
There was a lot of conversation going into
that game about hey maybe they'll come down and
they'll have a tie and they'll take a knee
and it almost like you said almost happened.
But I can't imagine as a player as a coach
really being satisfied if that had ended in a tie.
Okay so what do you think about the playoff matchups coming up this next weekend?
So many interesting games and who do you kind of think is going
to be the front runner here to win the Super Bowl here?
Well this is a this is a little bit of a unique year.
It seems like we say that a little bit each season but this one I
really do feel that there's not a front runner really in in any division.
I mean we have number one seeds, we have the packers,
we have the Tennessee titans in the A.
F. C. Side of things but
I just think it's a wide open race. Anyone could beat anyone.
Uh And so that's what I think is going to make this so exciting.
We're looking forward to our match up. We've got the eagles and the bucks.
Next sunday a lot of great games, A lot of great matchup between these teams.
But I think each one of them
have had moments in the season where they've looked
really great and there's been moments in the season
where they have stumbled and they've not looked so good.
So it's just a matter who can play their best football now that we're in the playoffs.
I mean, is it a real possibility that tom brady makes the Super Bowl again?
Is that a real distinct possibility?
Uh it 100% is a real possibility.
It seems like if you're if you're betting on
brady every year that he's been in the league,
you're gonna win about 50% of the time about him at least making it to the Super Bowl.
So uh this has probably been a little bit of
a tougher year for Tampa Bay and and tom brady.
But as we know, he's a guy and that team is pretty talented.
I just don't think you can never discount him.
Alright, so Troy,
let's talk about your beer here because I'm
really fascinated by this as a fellow beer
drinker myself who is also looking for light
options but is also looking for organic options,
Uh those don't really exist in the beer market.
And so now you have a new one on the market now called eight,
explain what made you want to get into this industry.
Well I actually worked for a distributor back when I was in college,
I got a lot of relationships in the beer business.
So I kind of have loosely been involved, I guess, so to speak.
I've been a spokesman at different times, but
you know, through a mutual friend,
I met my partners and we kind of kicked around
the idea and just felt that it was an opportunity,
that,
that category, uh,
these brands that are on the market had been there for a
long time and felt that it was time for something fresh,
something new.
And,
and I thought that we could do it in a way that
was a better for you beer and that's what we've done.
It took a lot of work.
It took a couple of years and like you said, we use only organic grains,
there's no adjuncts, no fillers,
there's no corn, no rice, no syrup added to this.
So we're really pleased with what we came up with its 90 calories,
2.6 cards and it tastes fantastic.
We didn't sacrifice taste.
So I'm really, I'm really thrilled for people to try it and it will be available
Uh in Texas,
beginning on February one and select bars
and restaurants on draft and then eventually
in March will be on the shelves for people to go in and purchase,
You mentioned, it took a few years to get this through development.
I mean your team worked in partnership with Oregon
State University's Distinguished Food Science and Technology department,
what were some of the challenges creating something like
this because you would think if it was easy,
all the big brands would have had this done already.
Well, that's a great point. And that's why it took so long.
It's anything, it's anything but easy.
And we certainly understand the challenge that we have in front of us.
I mean there's over 8000 breweries across America and we
dove into probably the most competitive segment of it.
But
we think that that what what what took some time is we wanted
to create something that was unique to what was already on the market.
And,
and we've done that and the way in which we've done
it is because we don't have any adjuncts or any fillers.
And that's unusual when you talk about a light
beer and then because it's a light beer,
you can't hide a lot of things.
I mean, it has to be, it's, it's a difficult beer to improve.
Uh, and getting the recipe just right.
And then at the same time, like I said, not sacrificing taste,
but yet being able to get what I
felt the measurables were that were really important.
And that is a low calorie, low carb beer because, you know,
I take my health and wellness very seriously.
I worked out hard, but I also want to enjoy moments with family and friends and and
you know, life's special moments and
and so I do that over a beer and when I do that,
I don't want to sacrifice all the hard work that I've put in during the week
and I feel that this beer does that as well as any beer that's available.
Yeah. And on top of that, another good reason to drink it.
Besides the health benefits of this is the fact that a percentage of the
revenue also goes to organizations that work
to expand access for better nutrition also,
you know, more physical activity as well.
Why was that sort of an important part to add to this here at troy?
To have sort of the giving aspect to this?
Well, I think it's consistent with one who I am and who we are as a brand.
And I also feel that we're in a time where health and wellness
can serve you very well.
It always has, but I think in light of the pandemic and all that's going on,
I think there's more of an emphasis on health and making sure you're staying fit,
working out and exercising and doing all those things.
And I think that for us to be able to do something on the philanthropic side,
that kind of encourages that type of behavior.
It just made sense for us and what our brand is all about troy.
I have about a minute or so left with you.
I want to go back to sports here really quickly for
a second because over the weekend here in New York,
we became the 18th state to mobilize to legalize mobile sports betting here.
I'm curious what your take is with the
vast adoption and acceptance of the sports industry
to pro sports betting here.
Yeah, I've not ever really had any real thoughts on it.
Quite honestly, I'm not a big gambler.
I've got friends that have enjoyed going to Vegas and betting sports.
I, I felt that over the years,
that was kind of the direction that we're heading and now
it's becoming more and more mainstream and like you said,
more and more states are adopting it.
There's a lot of money to be made.
I think we all realize that ultimately, uh,
that's what drives a lot of decisions that are made.
But I think if people are responsible and they want to get
involved and make the game a little bit more interesting for themselves,
those are decisions that
people should be able to make.
And I think that, uh, you know,
there was a time where we never thought we'd see an NFL franchise in the,
in the state of Nevada, but yet the Raiders are there now and,
and I think that they've been well received.
And so I wouldn't say I'm for it or against it.
I understand it and I don't really have much
of an opinion on those that want to gamble.
And if those who don't then don't
All right, we can't wait to try the Beer Troy Hall of Fame,
quarterback Troy Aikman and also the co founder of Eight Beer Troy.
Such a pleasure to have you here on cheddar News. Thanks so much for joining us.