Having spent some time in Hollywood, rest assured that unlike film, TV is a business. So if you want to create and get a show on the air, you need to prove that there’s an audience for it. Craft beer, while showing impressive growth is still tiny in numbers. Stats vary widely but I’ve seen estimates that there are between 6-8 million craft beer drinkers in America and an additional 750,000 homebrewers. Somewhat impressive numbers but how do you convince a TV network that a large percentage of them will actually tune in? You need viewers to get advertisers. And if the topic is craft beer, it’s doubtful that BudMillerCoors will want to be sponsors.

So what’s the solution? Will there be a craft beer show on TV? When? I say yes. But the when depends on you. I know of what I speak. I made an independent film, invested my own money (and took out loans to finish it) and have not been fully supported by this craft beer community. Why? Well, there’s a certain amount of “it’s not about me” and some disagreement over content. There’s also the feeling that the film should be free. (Again, I self funded it and spent 3 years to make it, why would I just give it away?) But unless this community begins to support filmmakers, beer publications (and therefore beer writers), there won’t be too many professionals following in our footsteps.

If you want to create or watch TV show about craft beer then help support existing entities so that the numbers can start adding up.

And yes, people are watching to see how Beer Wars “performs.” It is an indicator. Just like sales of beer publications. It’s not just about beer sales but it’s also about the media that covers them. The TV networks want to know that if they buy it, they will come.

So please, buy a copy of the Beer Wars DVD (and ask everyone you know to do the same). Subscribe to publications like All About Beer and/or BeerAdvocate and continue to support your local, independent brewery. Put your money where your mouth is.

Thank you!