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Sep
8
1

The Big Bang

So my last hurrah turned out to have some painful consequences. While the screening at the festival (see previous post) should have been memorable, I frankly don’t remember much. You see, 2 days later on June 29th I was hit on the head by a flying laptop on my Virgin America flight home. I not only had terrible physical pain due to a concussion but suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. So basically I’ve spent the past 10 weeks in recovery mode, trying to learn a new word – patience – while I wait for my brain to heal.

Luckily my sister was present at the NYC Food Film Festival and captured these pictures that will hopefully help me remember what I actually said to Mayor Bloomberg…

Anat and Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Anat and Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Anat with Sam and Rhonda

Anat with Sam and Rhonda

Anat with George Motz

Anat with George Motz

Anat with Sam

Anat with Sam

Sam offering Mayor Bloomberg a Dogfish Head beer

Sam offering Mayor Bloomberg a Dogfish Head beer

Under the tent on a scorching summer night

Under the tent on a scorching summer night

On stage after the screening

On stage after the screening

FILED UNDER: Events, General
Comment
Jun
26
9

Does Size Matter?

I just read this comment about the trailer on YouTube : “This is such propaganda! Why is Jim Koch talking about his products when everyone knows that most of the Sam Adams line is contract brewed by Miller. In addition, he is one of the largest brewers in the country. I personally like a lot of different styles of beer, and I think it is up to the consumer as to what they drink. You can’t sit here and tell me that every micro brew out there would not like to sell more of their product! The elitist attitudes will destroy the craft beer movement.”

Wow. This guy is certainly passionate. And some of his comments were echoed by people I met at screenings and panels over the past few weeks.

One thing is certain. There is no singular craft beer enthusiast. And perceptions vary widely.
Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: Community, Events, General
Comment
Jun
10
2

Taking the Show on the Road

I’m excited to take Beer Wars out to Texas this weekend and Boston the next. This will be my first opportunity to interact directly with theater audiences which is a great opportunity to actually have a conversation.

I’m looking forward to joining Greg Koch (Stone) in Austin, Claus Hagelman (Dogfish Head) in Houston, and to finally meeting Brock Wagner (St. Arnold) in San Antonio, all at the Alamo Drafthouse who have been waiting patiently for the film’s release for quite a while. I’m expecting the Q&A to be quite lively and I look forward to hearing what’s on people’s minds and sharing my experiences and perspective on the issues. Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: Community, Events, News
Comment
Apr
26
27

My response to (some) beer bloggers

It’s been 10 days since the big night. I wanted to let everyone else have their say, before jumping in. The good news is that there has been a great deal of positive feedback from people who saw the film. But it is the beer bloggers who have raised issues. So I have mixed feelings about addressing their feedback; is this really what I want to engage in? But ultimately, I’d like to articulate my thoughts and move forward with everyone. To the actual issues the film addresses.

Spoiler alert: If you have not seen the film then you may want to stop reading and make up your own mind at a future screening or from the DVD. Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: Community, Events
Comment
Apr
18
6

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

I’ve been on radio silence for the past few days. Getting ready for the event and then processing everything. I meant what I said all along, I wanted this film to start a conversation. And it has. Lots of comments on Twitter, Facebook and this blog. And emails too. I plan to address the good, the bad and the ugly. But first I need a few days off. Much more to come after the weekend. Beach, baby beach.

And for those who doubt the mainstream interest in this topic, this ran yesterday on CNN… one day late I know but it did run.

FILED UNDER: Events, News
Comment
Apr
13
53

Starting a Conversation

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. Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: Events
Comment
Apr
6
13

Top 5 reasons to go see BEER WARS LIVE on April 16th

5. It’s the day after tax day. You made it through another year.

4. You actually care about the subject matter. The continued success of craft beer and craft brewers.

3. It’ll make you CRAVE a great beer. As if you need an excuse…

2. By supporting an independent film you’re ensuring that more films will be made by filmmakers seeking the truth vs. the homogenization of studio films.

1. By attending this event you are showing your support for the craft beer movement. This is as mainstream as it gets. Beer Wars Live is being shown in 440 theaters by the same people who bring the Metropolitan Opera and This American Life into movie theaters. If you don’t show up, it speaks volumes. Everyone is watching…

FILED UNDER: Events, News
Comment
Mar
27
10

ONE NIGHT ONLY

We’re 20 days from Beer Wars LIVE and while we have tons of buzz out there, it’s not translating into ticket sales. Not yet. I know that people aren’t used to buying tickets for movies until the last minute, but let explain why I think it’s important to buy in advance. This is a one night event, which it means that if you want in, you should plan ahead. In some markets we have a limited number of seats available. In others we may be able to add more if demand exists. Buying ahead sends a message that the groundswell has begun.

Remember that NCM Fathom bet big on interest from the beer community. They’re the same people who bring the Metropolitan Opera and This American Life into theatres. Let’s show them that this event is garnering the same type of support.

So… please, if at all possible, support this event by going to fathomevents.com and buy your tickets today.

FILED UNDER: Events, News
Comment
Mar
18
1

Theatrical Trailer

Here’s the new theatrical trailer that starts running this coming Friday.

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FILED UNDER: Events
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Mar
16
2

BEER WARS LIVE!

event poster

As of Friday the 13th (I guess it is actually a lucky day) there are trailers running for Beer Wars Live in 1,000 movie theatres across America. And posters hanging in 650 theatres. I have not had a chance to go to a theatre this weekend, so if you go to the movies, please let me know that you’ve seen them.

Even better, post a picture of you with the poster on your blog or your favorite social networking tool and share a link to your pic in the comments section below. Don’t forget to include the theatre location.

The event poster is also available online.

See you at the movies!

FILED UNDER: Events
Comment
Oenophiles have SIDEWAYS and BOTTLE SHOCK; now their beer-loving counterparts can claim a film as their own.
- Rotten Tomatoes
A David and Goliath story pitting the country's smallest brewers against the largest.
- CNN
Beer Wars: Brewed in America, is an eye-opening, funny and righteously infuriating documentary by first-time filmmaker Anat Baron. Her film (think of it as Suds: A Love Story) is also a pretty damning indictment of not just the beer industry but contemporary unfettered unregulated capitalism's disturbing excesses.
- Box Office Magazine
In Beer Wars, entrepreneurialism and opportunity go awry when tainted by greed and a thirst for power.
- Los Angeles Times
Beer Wars certainly raises some interesting questions, the most potent of which is, is this what capitalism is meant to be?
- New Times
For those who are keeping the American dream alive, this spirited documentary raises a toast.
- St Louis Post-Dispatch
A trenchant analysis unapologetic in its rebuke of Big Beer, Beer Wars is heartily recommended for patrons already inclined to opt for the local brew at every tap. It will also appeal to patrons interested in craft foods as well as homebrewed beer and wine and others particular about quality.
- Library Journal