Beer Wars - the movie

[Brandt]

It was worse than I imagined. The production and writing were less than stellar. I am glad that they did make an effort to get interveiws with BMC guys though. I actually felt sorry for the product development guy at AB for being such a robot.

The thing that struck me the most was how arrogant some of the craft brewers and reveiwers came accross. Sam Caligione was the only one who seemed down to earth. And of course, Charlie P.

I wish it hadn't been double the price of a regular movie ticket.

[San_Diego_Matt]

who all was on the panel?

and who were the arrogant ones?

[Bellmer]

Charlie Papazian, Greg Koch, Sam Calagione, Rhonda Kallman, Todd Alstram, Anat Whatshernamethatmadethemovie, and Maureen Ogle (who came across as a douche capitalist with no sustainable interest in what she buys. Whatever sells the most is what she subscribes to.).

[San_Diego_Matt]

so I'm going to assume greg was the most arrogant.

[Brandt]

who all was on the panel?

and who were the arrogant ones?

Charlie Papazian, Greg Koch - Stone, Sam Calagione- Dogfish Head, Rhonda Kallman - Moonshot, Maureen Ogle, and Todd Alstrom.

Come to think of it, as I wite this list, ... Greg was the main one who turned me off. Todd got in a dig at Rhonda, but mostly sat silent. Greg was sort of the class clown of the group. He was squirming in his seat, and gave smart-ass responses to Ben Stein's questions.

[San_Diego_Matt]

Greg's a douche. I've been introduced to him several times by some pretty prominent people in the local brewing scene and he's come across as an asshole every time.

oh well, it feeds his ego

[DannyW]

We had about 15 people in a 240 person theater in Sarasota FL. No beer, no food, nothing like that. I'm glad the projection and sound worked just fine after hearing some of the other stories.

I'm left wondering what was their point, and did they achieve it? I saw no reason why the big deal about having a "live" event when there was nothing (other than miscues and mumbling) that being live added. I actually expected a proctor to be on hand in every theater to take questions from each local audience, submit the questions, and have some of them answered right then. The twitter thing was cool I guess, but didn't need to be done live.

If the point was about the 3 tier system, I wanted more detail. Get some of those lobbyists that are there to preserve it to describe why it deserves preserving! I bet they sound like idiots. We need 3 tier available but not legislated. Does any other industry or product have legislated requirement for separation between producer and consumer?

I guess their point was not to make money, as $15 per head times the small number of heads less the theater cut can't be much. We thought it would have been a better event shown on the Discovery channel or something. Even a $60 pay-per-view would have let us see it in a more beer friendly venue.

I did leave feeling I had just been subjected to a 2 hour infomercial for DFH and Moonshot. They should have handed us a six pack of each on the way out the door.

Other than Orval, what brewery can make it on a single niche product? I guess Pete's Wicked Ale started that way, but his beer was more unique than gimmicky. We have a similar product here in FL called Honey Amber Rose. As I understand it, a woman gets this contract brewed and it is her only product. Marketed to women, it's a light lager without much else as far as I recall. I'm suprised it is still around, but it certainly isn't getting any bigger.

Anyone call DFH's toll free number this morning to see if Sam answers?

[Lars]

Greg's a douche. I've been introduced to him several times by some pretty prominent people in the local brewing scene and he's come across as an asshole every time.

I got the same impression when I met him, twice. Truely an arrogant asshole.