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Squirrels Throw Beer World Chin Music

Beer Brand Unveiled at Center of the Universe
December 17, 2013

Richmond, Va. - The Richmond Flying Squirrels and Center of the Universe Brewing Company (COTU) held an unveiling event on Tuesday at COTU Brewery to announce the release of Flying Squirrels' Chin Music, which will hit the market on March 1st, 2014. Chin Music was the name selected after a "Name the Beer" contest was held in conjunction with the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Opt4Cards. The first joint offering from the Squirrels and COTU will be an amber lager and will be available for the first time at Flying Squirrels Fan Fest 2014 at The Diamond. The brand's identity, including logos and can artwork were also revealed during the event.

"We are so excited about the possibilities of this new brand," said Flying Squirrels VP/COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "We feel the identity of the brand fits perfectly with the creative objectives of the Squirrels, and we know that fans of the Squirrels and craft beer will be equally pleased with the results."

Although Chin Music won't be available until March, COTU Co-Owner Chris Ray provided a brand description, as well as insights into the brewing process and a potential slogan:

"Chin Music is a smooth, easy-drinking lager from the Center of the Universe that is perfect for enjoying while watching America's favorite pastime - baseball."

"COTU uses water that is similar to some of the great lager-brewing areas of Europe. Four different malted barleys are used in the mashing process. In the boil kettle, several additions of German Tettnang hops create a modest bitterness, just enough to balance with the malt. For fermentation, a great Czech yeast strain is used that leaves the beer clean and malty. After fermentation, Chin Music goes through a cold conditioning period (lagering) until the flavors are just right. Naturally carbonated, Chin Music is then filtered to remove any yeast that had not yet dropped out naturally. The result is a beautiful and crisp amber lager from COTU."

Chin Music will be 4.5% ABV and 24 IBUs.

Dave Sorokowski (Brown Distributing) outlined distribution plans for Chin Music, which will include a variety of local bars and retail outlets. "You will be able to enjoy Chin Music at all the places that you already enjoy your favorite beers," Sorokowski said. "One of those places will naturally be The Diamond for Squirrels games."

Flying Squirrels Sr. Director of Food, Beverage & Merchandise Ben Rothrock also showcased the first tee-shirts associated with the brand, and elaborated on plans to branch out into a separate line of Chin Music apparel and novelties.

Kathi Boswell, who won the "Name the Beer" contest, was also in attendance for the unveiling event. She was awarded a prize pack from the Flying Squirrels and COTU that will include brand apparel and samples of Chin Music when it is released in March.