Squirrels Brew Partnership with COTU
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels are excited to announce a partnership with Center of the Universe Brewing Company (COTU), and the creation of a new Flying Squirrels brand of beer. The beer will be brewed locally by Center of the Universe Brewing Company and distributed by Brown Distributing. The Squirrels are also pleased to announce a fan-interactive "Name the Beer" contest in conjunction with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Once the fans have weighed in and a name is selected, the team will unveil branding for the beer line as well as distribution plans. The new Flying Squirrels beer will be available regionally as well as at The Diamond.
"Although I've never been a big beer drinker, the Squirrels realize how important the craft beer industry is to this region," said a grinning Flying Squirrels' Vice President & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "In all seriousness though, we recognized this as a wonderful opportunity to join in the beer craze in Richmond. With ideal partners in Center of the Universe and Brown Distributing, we know that this brand will be of the utmost quality and something baseball and beer enthusiasts will enjoy immensely."
The Squirrels are asking fans to help name the beer through an on-line and text contest. Flying Squirrels prize packs will be awarded to random winners that participate in the contest. Fans can log their vote at Times-Dispatch.com/Contests or by texting SQUIRRELSBEER in all capital letters to 44544. Standard text message rates may apply. The "Name the Beer" contest is open immediately, and will continue until 5 pm on Friday, December 6th. The text portion of the contest will be conducted by Opt4Cards (Information Below). Fans can choose their favorite from a list of five finalists.
Name Finalists:
Brush Back
Chin Music
Hanging Curve
Knee Buckler
Perfect Game
"We really want this brand to embody the creative nature with which we approach the baseball business," added Parnell. "We think each of the name finalists has potential, and as always, want feedback from our fans to gauge what direction they want our efforts to go."
Once the name of the beer is selected, the Squirrels and COTU will unveil the brand identity of the beer at a special event held at the Center of the Universe Brewery on December 17th.
Quote from Center of the Universe Brewing Company: "Coming from a baseball background, I knew I wanted to stay involved with the game in some aspect. After the tremendous response we received from debuting Homefront IPA at The Diamond last year, we knew Squirrels' fans were ready to have their own beer. After discussing the growing local beer scene at The Diamond, all parties agreed it was time that the Squirrels gave the fans what they wanted. We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Squirrels on this beer and are looking forward to an exciting year of baseball and local craft beer in 2014." - COTU Co-Owner and former MLB pitcher Chris Ray
Quote from Brown Distributing: "With Chris Ray's background in baseball and the overwhelming community support for the Squirrels, it made tremendous sense for Center of the Universe, the Squirrels and Brown Distributing to partner together. We look forward to selling it at The Diamond and all of the favorite places you normally purchase our products in 2014." - Dave Sorokowski, Vice President, Brown Distributing
About Center of the Universe Brewing Company: The Center of the Universe Brewing Company began in 2009 when Chris Ray and his brother Phil began brewing beer in their houses. The hobby turned into an obsession, and the obsession led them to open a craft brewery in Ashland, Virginia. Located in the heart of Central Virginia, it is affectionately known as "The Center of the Universe." COTU brews an assortment of ales using only whole ingredients, while sticking to the traditional all-natural method of brewing beer. The meaning of "Center of the Universe" is important to the founders of COTU. With so much emphasis today on globalization and the lack of corporate stewardship, COTU strives to be a company that truly embraces the local community. "Center of the Universe," to COTU, is taking pride in where you live and respecting the people with whom you interact. COTU believes it is our responsibility to understand and appreciate how our actions affect the community that supports us.
About Opt4, Inc.: Opt4, Inc. is much more than just a simple Text Company. We offer a complete, custom-designed, next gen Mobile-Messaging-Platform that services small businesses, individual professionals, national franchises, and worldwide corporations. Based in Richmond, VA, Opt4 has the resources and innovative tools available to help businesses easily expand deeper into creative mobile strategies from easy Text2Win campaigns, valuable turn-key packages, to fully integrated custom CRM/POS solutions including incredible data-capture for future target marketing. Text OPT4CARDS to 44544 www.Opt4Cards.com
Season ticket and mini-plan packages for the 5th Season of Flying Squirrels baseball are currently available. For more information or to purchase ticket packages, please call the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-3866 or log on to SquirrelsBaseball.com.