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“Beer Wars” review
Our guest reviewer is none other than Frank Mancuso, St. Arnold’s man in Austin, who writes:
“Beer Wars,” a film by former beer sales slug-turned director Anat Baron was simulcast Thursday in over 400 theaters around the country, and explores the successes and challenges that face many of today’s craft breweries. It predictably but humorously paints the “Big Three” as the bad guys in this sort-of David versus Goliath story. Another bad guy: the mandated three-tier system of beer distribution.
The story focuses mainly on Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head in Delaware, and Rhonda Kallman, co-founder of Sam Adams, but currently pushing Moonshot, a caffeinated beer. The film also includes interviews with some of the more recognizable folks in the craft beer world, Dick Yuengling — fifth-generation owner, Yuengling Brewery — Jim Koch of Sam Adams, Charlie Papazian, president of of the American Homebrewers Assoc. as well as a nice clip of the late British beer guru Michael Jackson. There are also appearances by the MillerCoors brass and a cameo by August Busch IV.
The film chronicles the history of the rabid competition of the big breweries and their role in the rise in popularity of the yellow fizzy liquid that is known in the industry as light lagers.
We get an inside look into what made Sam Calagione decide to make nothing but big beers with loads of oddball (and expensive) ingredients and flavors that have a cult following around the country. The film also follows Rhonda Kallman as she attempted to get her pepped-up beer into bars, clubs, and try to raise money to launch nationwide (which, she apparently has yet to do).
Those of us in the industry are well aware of the issues that face small micros. But the film informs the viewer of some of the important challenges that the little guys face in order to get their beer to you, the consumer: the fight for shelf space in the grocery stores; trying to get the attention of the beer distributors that carry the beers; the issues that the small breweries face in getting financing to build and expand; and the roadblocks that the wholesale beer lobbies throw up in their well-financed agenda to keep anything from chipping away at the three-tier system, which, if tweaked, could benefit both craft brewer and distributor.
While the movie is a bit slow at times it succeeds in presenting the case that there is a LOT more great beers to try besides the mass-produced ones, and that while the big boys may attempt to buy up the little guys, folks who are passionate about the beers they make are just as determined to keep that from happening.
And besides, drinking fresh Texas microwbrews like Saint Arnold, Real Ale and Live Oak out in the parking lot with the owners of those tasty beers helped make the film even more enjoyable. Support your local craft brewer!
Comments
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By Dan Keeney
April 17, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the write-up — I was unable to go last night. Thought the ticket price of $15 was pretty outrageous. Was the closed circuit town hall that followed the movie worthwhile at all?
By Darrin
April 17, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
The $15 was totally worth it. I spent $10 to see “monsters vs. aliens in 3d, 2 weeks ago and learned nothing. Very entertaining theater audience and plenty of great beer before and after the movie. Something I did not have while at Monsters vs Aliens 3D!!! (LOL)
Cheers!
By Ryan
April 17, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this
This was a very nice review Frank! I’ll keep my eye out for a copy when they hit.
By Morgan Russell
April 18, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
I went to the live event which was very cool. I want to see the outtakes — does anyone know when the DVD will be released?