Who Put Beer in the Movies and Caffeine in My Beer?

After reading all the reviews for Beer Wars I'm not sure if I should feel good for not going or disappointed that I wasn't part of the experience. There's a lot of love and hate swirling from blog to blog about the documentary. What does seem fairly consistent are the negative comments about Rhonda Kallman's (CEO/Founder New Century Brewing) caffeine infused beer, Moonshot. The description and marketing position it more as an alcoholic energy drink, than a well crafted coffee ale. Think Bud's B-to-the-E not Southern Tier's Jah-va. I'll have to wait until I get a bottle of the high buzz brew before I toss in my two cents about the taste. What I do find interesting is that someone who was an integral part in the early success of The Boston Beer Company is now pushing more gimmick than craft.

The Beer Wars talk got me thinking about a movie that came out a few years ago about a group of friends who travel from Brooklyn with a mission to visit 38 breweries in 40 days. The documentary American Beer was released in 2005 and is currently on DVD. Two of the participants Paul Kermizian (director/actor) and Jeremy Goldberg are now both involved with the beer industry. Jeremy is Head Brewer and co-founder of Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester, MA and Paul is co-owner of Barcade in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Don't worry you won't need a beer to enjoy the film but it wouldn't hurt to have a couple to set the mood. Cheers!

Beer Wars on Fox

Fox and Friends gives the film Beer Wars a little plug with an interview of Director/Producer Anat Baron and Rhonda Kallman co-founder of Boston Beer Company and CEO/Founder of New Century Brewing. The documentary opens tomorrow for a one night showing with a simulcast panel discussion afterwards.

Inc. Magazine online also posted a short interview with Director/Producer Anat Baron.

My Kind of Film: Beer Wars

It's not often that beer is the subject of a film, however that changes on Thursday April 16th with the debut of Beer Wars . The film is a documentary that claims to give an insiders view on the ever growing market struggle taking place in the beer industry. The classic battle of David (the craft brewers) versus Goliath (the macro boys). The film is directed by Anat Baron and is promoted as a one night event hosted live by Ben Stein. Apparently after the showing a live discussion is scheduled with some of the people appearing in the film. Tickets are being sold in advance for theaters across the country and there are several locations listed for Philly, Pittsburgh and other areas of PA. Finally the perfect date move. Now if we could just get a few taps at the concession stand or at least make it BYOB?

Beer Wars Movie Trailer from Beer Wars on Vimeo.