If you can see this message, you are likely using an outdated browser to view this website. We highly recommend you update your browser to either Internet Explorer 7 from Microsoft or Firefox, which will enable you to enjoy safer web browsing and allow you to better view the contents of this website. Please contact us for any additional information.
It’s been an amazing year. I finished my film. Released it theatrically and on DVD. And just closed the biggest deal yet which will get the movie into the mainstream. Announcement to come soon, I promise.
So much to be grateful for. Especially the supporters who believed in the film from the start (before they even saw it) and stood by it despite the naysayers. A big thanks to (in no particular order):
Read the rest of this entry »
When you make a film, you steel yourself for reviews. You know intellectually that not everyone will be a fan. Like real life, most documentaries are flawed. Your characters aren’t make believe. There’s no script for them to follow. You can’t just make shit up.
And indeed, as expected there have been 2 kinds of reviews – love and hate. Luckily, for my emotional well-being, the positive reviews run at 75%. I’m happy with that. Especially when they come from film critics whose opinions I respect.
Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
I like the company we’re keeping… My turn to see Inglourious Basterds this weekend.
From today’s USA Today “Pop Candy”:
Best movie I watched: The last couple weeks have been a wonderful blur because of my vacation, but I thought Inglourious Basterds was just fantastic. I also saw Beer Wars, the documentary about independent breweries. I’ve always been pretty picky about what I drink, but this film really makes you think about the industry.
Social media means no more secrets. I was surprised to see a screening of my film advertised and retweeted over the past few days. It was happening at a bar in San Diego. One problem. I knew nothing about it. No one contacted me. Or asked for permission. Read the rest of this entry »
On Friday I met with yet another craft beer enthusiast who wants his own craft beer show on TV. Since I starting making the film, I’ve been approached by at least a dozen folks who want to do the same. What surprises me isn’t that everyone has the same idea (a TV show about travels to breweries and bars in search of great beers) or that no one has any TV experience but that there is no forethought about why a TV network would be interested. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
Need a last minute gift for dad? How about something beer related? Sure, you can buy him a six-pack at the store but if you want to get more creative, here are some ideas…
And feel free to suggest your own. Just add a comment.
I couldn’t sleep last night. From excitement and anticipation. And fear. While I’ve had a long and eclectic career, I’ve never created a physical product before. And now, I’m about to see my first Beer Wars DVD all packaged up and ready to ship.
And being the eternal optimist, I have 10,000 of them! But please, don’t ask me for freebies. This has been a long road. What many people don’t realize is that I financed Beer Wars with my “house money” and my passion.
So for me, it is and always will be about broadening the conversation we have to include not only the beer industry but also the future of the American Dream and entrepreneurship. But I have to say that I also see this as a time to replenish the bank account and finally get paid for all the hard work I put into making this film.
Thanks for your support. And please, help spread the word. I can’t emphasize enough how I can’t do this alone.
Live Feed
Facebook
MySpace
YouTube
Vimeo
iTunes
Flickr
IMDB
StumbleUpon