Beer Wars Movie » News

The BIG News

Anat — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:52:29 +0000

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:

What do you think this launch means for craft beer?

The Latest David and Goliath Saga in the Beer Wars

Anat — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:41:14 +0000

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:

“Monster-maker to Vt. brewer: No ‘Vermonster’ beer”

While I fully respect trademark law and understand how important it is to protect your brand, in this case it’s gone too far. Does anyone really believe that someone drinking a Vermonster beer will confuse it with a Monster energy drink? Oh Please.

For those of you who have seen the film, this is reminiscent of Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head’s fight with Anheuser-Busch over over the right to use the words Punkin Ale and Chicory Stout in 2 of his beers. He eventually prevailed.

By the way, do you know who distributes Monster in the US? 2 guesses and the first one doesn’t count. Yup, it’s none other than Anheuser-Busch wholesalers. Read more here and here.

So what can you do? You can join the Facebook group Vermonters and Craft Beer Drinkers Against Monster and/or join the conversation on BeerAdvocate and also watch the YouTube video so Matt can document his supporters.

Let’s hear from you and see what else can be done to stop this kind of bullying. Matt just wants to get back to making beer.

What I learned from the White House Beer Summit

Anat — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:34:42 +0000

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

Taking the Show on the Road

Anat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:15:24 +0000

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.

And I look forward to meeting the 10 brewers on the panels set up by the Todd and Jason Alstrom at the American Craft Beer Festival. And of course the many attendees who will hopefully show up to participate in the conversation.

Finally, the conversation that I’ve been longing for will continue.

I’m back…

Anat — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:54:05 +0000

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?

Many “experts” are saying that this is the best time ever to talk directly with consumers. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve loved the direct interactions with people on my blog, other blogs, Facebook, Twitter and through emails. It’s amazing to know exactly what you think, want and respond to. And you’re not shy about expressing your opinions.

It’s also a tough time (some say the toughest) to release an independent film. Technology has made it easier to make movies and thousands were released last year alone. But how many have you actually heard of? Or seen? The independent film world is like the Wild, Wild West. The fight is on for the Holy Grail – consumer attention. Even the major studios are going online and are conducting stealth-marketing campaigns to break through the clutter. Just look at Universal’s under the radar approach to the upcoming release of Sasha Baron Cohen’s new film Bruno.

The days of big distribution deals and massive releases are over unless you’re a comic book hero, Pixar film, big name star or director or in the documentary world, you’re Michael Moore. If one more industry insider tells me how much they love my film and how it would have been the next “Super Size Me” had it come out 2 years ago, I may just have to kill them. I too wish that the environment was different and would have welcomed my million-dollar check. But the gambler in me is fully engaged.

I hate Vegas but have always been a risk taker. One of those “road less traveled” people, who never take the easy path. Who love the thrill of a new challenge. Granted, I didn’t bargain for this brave new world we’re in. But as I come out of my fog, I realize that this is also a time of opportunity. So with that said, I embrace the next phase of the Beer Wars rollout.

I hope you join me on the ride! After all, we’re all in this together.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

Anat — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:09:23 +0000

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.

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

Anat — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:44:45 +0000

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…

2 weeks and counting…

Anat — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:01:40 +0000

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!

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Anat — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:09:34 +0000

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.

IT’S OFFICIAL

Anat — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:49:06 +0000

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).