Now Available: On Demand, Download, DVD

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Jan
31
8

The BIG News

No more teasing. Here it is. Starting tomorrow, February 1st, Beer Wars will be available to rent or buy to anyone in the US and Canada who has a TV or computer (or gaming console). So finally the movie will be widely available to a mainstream audience. Woo hoo!

The cool thing about all this is that it was made possible through distribution deals with Warner Bros. and Netflix. That’s right, these folks who know a thing or two about the film business, have chosen Beer Wars as part of their offering. After the long road it took to get here, this is a happy day indeed not just for me but for all the people who can now get to watch it.

So where will the movie be available?

In the U.S., Beer Wars is available to rent On Demand through Digital Cable and Satellite providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Cablevision, Charter, Insight, Bresnan, Verizon FiOS, AT & T U-Verse, Dish Network and DirecTV. It is also available for download on iTunes, Amazon Video On Demand, Xbox 360 and PS3.

In Canada, the film is available to rent On Demand through Digital Cable and Satellite providers Rogers Cable, Cogeco, Videotron, Sasktel and Shaw.

The film will also be available through Netflix either through streaming or DVD. And you’ll be able to buy the DVD from Amazon.

If you live outside the US, you can buy the DVD here.

Here’s one of the spots that will be running on select on demand preview channels:

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What do you think this launch means for craft beer?
FILED UNDER: DVD, News
Comment
Oct
14
3

The Latest David and Goliath Saga in the Beer Wars

I just got off the phone with Matt Nadeau of Vermont’s Rock Art Brewery. I’ve been following the story of Matt’s fight to keep the rights to his Vermonster beer. For those of you that don’t know the story, it’s one that is unfortunately becoming all too familiar. Big corporation (in this case, Hansen Beverage Company, makers of Monster energy drink) going after a small entrepreneur (Rock Art) over the right to trademark a name (Vermonster). Read and watch more about this ludicrous story:
Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: News
Comment
Jul
31
1

What I learned from the White House Beer Summit

  1. The mainstream media knows absolutely nothing about who makes what beer.
  2. The same media didn’t understand why craft brewers were upset over the beer choices, especially Bud Light (see #1).
  3. Most Americans didn’t care about the beers themselves.
  4. Some Americans did care about who made the beers.
  5. Many of the small brewers who made media appearances used it as an opportunity to promote their own breweries as opposed to the community.
  6. There wasn’t much opposition to the idea of the BEER Summit from the anti-alcohol folks.
  7. The story was played out as soon as the beer choices were revealed.
  8. It was a one-note story that didn’t lead to a bigger conversation. Yawn.
FILED UNDER: General, News
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
Jun
9
4

I’m back…

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to get the conversation started with a bigger audience. After all, that’s why I made the film – to get lots of people to watch it and talk about it. Beer Wars Live was a great launch pad but there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people around the world who have never heard of Beer Wars. So how do you get the word out in this heavily saturated, heavily messaged era we live in? And how do you do it without a multi million dollar advertising campaign? Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: Community, News
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
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
Apr
2
3

2 weeks and counting…

So close and yet… Here’s an interview I recorded a few days ago in case you can’t wait for the big day. So cool to be on itunes!

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FILED UNDER: Audio, News
Comment
Mar
27
11

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
4
2

IT’S OFFICIAL

Today is our official launch for BEER WARS LIVE on April 16th. We are going to be in 440 theatres across America for one night only. We will have the world premiere of the film followed by a live talk-show style panel with key people from the movie (think reunion show) led by Ben Stein. For more on the event or to find a theatre near you go to the Fathom Events website.

We’ve already received lots of buzz (all viral) and people are planning events in their communities that evening. Please help us to get the word out so that we can get the conversation started!

And check back often for more exclusive videos.

Greg Koch (Stone) and Kim Jordan (New Belgium) will be posted this week in addition to Jim Koch (Boston Beer) and Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head).

FILED UNDER: News
Comment
Previous
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 righteosly infuriating documentary by first-time filmaker Anat Baron. Her film (think of it as Suds: A Love Story) is also a pretty damning idictment 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