Divinity Draft, an Exclusive Limited-Edition Beer Crafted using DNA from the Football used in the Game’s Most Famous Play the ‘Immaculate Reception’

Nemacolin

The 2026 NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh starting tonight and a nearby luxury property is celebrating by putting the NFL into a draft – or a canned beer, at least. Nemacolin Resort just unveiled The Divinity Draft, a limited edition offering crafted with DNA from the “Immaculate Reception” football. If you’re a Steelers fan you won’t require any further details beyond how they can take your money. But for everyone else, here’s some added background…

The Immaculate Reception refers to a pivotal moment in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Steelers and the Raiders. With 5 seconds left in the game, Hall of Fame Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass that was forcefully deflected by the opposing team’s defensive safety – seemingly ending the play, and the Steelers’ season. But miraculously, the ball was scooped up by Franco Harris right before careening to the ground. He was able to run it into the end zone, clinching the game for the Steelers on what is widely regarded as one of the best plays in NFL history.

Today that actual game-used football is kept on display at the Nemacolin Resort. And after a visit from the folks at Pittsburgh Brewing Company in February, an idea was hatched to use it in a uniquely sudsy science experiment. Brewmaster Mike Carota returned to the property with a swab and collection kit, leaving with as much microflora as he could gather from all corners of the pigskin. It was then entered into a temperature-controlled room to see if a culture could form that could be added to yeast.

After a few weeks they had enough of that football-funked culture to start fermentation of a slightly-roasted, pilsner style beer. On top of that some cherry flavoring and a proprietary spice blend was added by Carota to come away with something that’s quaffable, creamy, slightly nutty and nominally fruity. Smack your tongue enough as it goes down, and you might even detect a hint of football leather in the finish – if you’re into that sort of thing.

At any rate, it will be offered exclusively to guests of the resort, starting today, in 16 oz. cans. But that’s only the tip of the football when it comes to NFL-themed celebration at Nemacolin right now. The property is also hosting an entire Immaculate Reception Weekend, running through Sunday. Celebrity guests include Terry Bradshaw, himself – the man who threw that very football – along with Jerome Bettis and other sports legends, who will participate in a golf pro-am. And a live performance from Wiz Khalifa (of Black and Yellow fame).

“This is an extraordinary moment for Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania,” says Maggie Hardy, Owner and CEO of Nemacolin, referring to the NFL Draft coming to town. “Football is woven into the very fabric of this region, and the Immaculate Reception Weekend is our tribute to that enduring legacy. It is a celebration of the game’s history and its heroes."

No word yet on whether or not the Divinity Draft will ever see wider distribution. So, if you ever wanted to see what a legendary football tastes like, you might have to take a hike to the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania this weekend. There’ll be plenty of action to catch when you arrive.