I chose this unique way for launching the film because I wanted to start a conversation. And it starts as soon as the film ends. I invited 6 people who appear in the film to sit on the panel and to be inclusive, 2 who are not.
Let’s start with the 2 you won’t see. I wanted the new heads of MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch Inbev to provide their perspective. Tom Long from Miller Coors passed because he had a “conflict” while Dave’s Peacock’s “handlers” told me they’d get back to me. Tick tock.
Here’s what to expect from the panel. Sam Calagione and Rhonda Kallman will bring you up to date on their stories. And after watching the film, you’ll be glad they’re there to fill you in.
Greg Koch, Charlie Papazian, Maureen Ogle and Todd Alstrom will provide their unique perspectives on where we’ve been and where we’re going. Having spent time with all of them while making the film, I don’t think there’s a shrinking violet in the bunch. I have a feeling that 30 minutes may not be enough to contain these personalities.
Also remember that none of them have seen the film so their reactions will be raw. And since I’ll be on the panel with them, let’s hope no shoes are hurled at me or at each other. That’s the cool thing about a LIVE show. Anything can happen.
Tags: Charlie Papazian, event, Greg Koch, Maureen Ogle, Rhonda Kallman, Sam Calagione, Todd Alstrom
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Again, I think anyone focusing on Rhonda and Moonshot is missing the point. This wasn’t a movie about craft beer in particular. It was a movie about the inner workings of the beer industry, the economics, the legislation. The whole industry. Yeah, she’s peddling crap but I think it added to the story.
As for everyone bippin about Sam, I love the guy. Sue me. He makes great beer, has a great personality and I think he’s a great voice for the craft beer movement. Not saying the only voice, far from it, but I think he fit the film well.
PS DFH beers cost double the average craft? Let’s see here, a sampling of our shelves, Sam Adams: $32.50, Yards: $28.99, Troegs: $30.99, Magic Hat: $31.99, Bells: $37.99, Founders: $38.99, Oskar Blues: $32.99, Rogue: $43.99, Stone: $38.99, even Otter Creek commands $33.99.
Dogfish Head: $36.99 A bit more than most our local beers but HARDLY double the price. And considering Raison weighs in at 8% and rings in at $36.99, that’s a pretty damn good deal.
Don’t know where you are, Tim, but at the Bowery Whole Foods Beer Room the average craft six pack is $9-$10 – thirteen to fourteen cents an ounce. The average Dogfish FOUR-pack is $12-$14 – twenty five to twenty nine cents an ounce. So yeah, that’s twice as expensive.
I think you understand my point – that Sam isn’t the only voice in the craft beer movement. But in this movie he was the primary voice, wasn’t he? Why? Dick Yuengling is a great guy who puts his family first, but we didn’t get to hear his story. I think it would have been more interesting to hear about how Yuengling has managed not to get crushed by A-B after all these years and has actually thrived than to hear Sam’s tired story for the millionth time. Maybe when Dick Yuengling starts rapping part-time (thanks for the reminder, BM) people like Anat will start sharing the love.
Interesting film, not particularly well made. I think the wrong person directed it. Anat Baron does not have a background in craftbrewing and I suspect her TV credits have little to do with actual writing and production. I think the film suffered for it. Would have been much better if a documentary filmmaker had directed. That being said, I suppose I did enjoy it for what it was.
My biggest critique would be the inordinate amount of screen time Rhonda Kallman got. I’m not even sure why she was in the film. She certainly has nothing to do with the craftbrewing industry anymore. Todd Alstrom of BeerAdvocate.com hit the nail on the head when he remarked that the caffeinated beer she is trying to sell (God knows who came up with the recipe or who actually brews it) is simply a marketing gimmick being pimped to twenty-somethings as a party beer. It’s a slap in the face of real craft brewers, if you ask me. Maybe Baron sees Kallman as herself, 20 years ago. A woman struggling to succeed in a man’s world. Funny how they both sell/sold a sh*tty, not-really-beer product.
The live question and answer period after the film was fairly useless as well. Why Ben Stein was the moderator, I’ll never know, but there were very few questions asked of the panel, the answers to which gave any real insight into the craftbrewing industry. At least not to knowledgeable beer fans like us.
I guess I don’t really know what the point of the film was or to whom it was being made. Yes, the megaswill brewers are big and evil. Yes, craft brewers like Sam Calagione and Greg Koch do what they do for the love of making good beer. But Baron’s audience already knows this. Who is she trying to convince? She preaching to the choir.
Maybe I didn’t enjoy the film all that much after all.