There’s one month to go until the premiere of the new documentary film Beer Wars, opening in 440 movie theaters April 16. If you’re a craft beer lover, you should see the film, which is described as follows.

In America, size matters. The bigger you are, the more power you have, especially in the business world. Director Anat Baron takes you on a no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer. Told from an insider’s perspective, the film goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries. Beer Wars begins as the corporate behemoths are being challenged by small, independent brewers who are shunning the status quo and creating innovative new beers. The story is told through 2 of these entrepreneurs — Sam and Rhonda — battling the might and tactics of Corporate America. We witness their struggle to achieve their American Dream in an industry dominated by powerful corporations unwilling to cede an inch. This contemporary David and Goliath story is ultimately about keeping your integrity (and your family’s home) in the face of temptation. Beer Wars is a revealing and entertaining journey that provides unexpected and surprising turns and promises to change the world’s opinion on those infamous 99 bottles of beer on the wall.

If you’re like me, you probably want to see the movie and think you’ll get around to it as soon as it’s convenient. And ordinarily, I’d agree. It’s not really important when you see it. Except, this time it is important. If humanly possible, try to see Beer Wars on its opening day, April 16, and for the live show taking place at 8:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CT, 6:00 p.m. MT and 8:00 p.m. PT.







Fathom and Ducks In A Row Entertainment present Beer Wars LIVE with Ben Stein, a one night event taking you inside the boardrooms and back rooms of the American beer industry. The event will feature the exclusive never-before-seen documentary Beer Wars, followed by a riveting live discussion led by Ben Stein with America’s leading independent brewers and experts. Playing in movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, April 16th at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 8pm PT (tape delay), beer industry insiders will take you behind-the-scenes of their quest for the American Dream. Don’t miss out on this entertaining journey that will reveal the truth behind the label of your favorite beer!

If you’ve paid any attention before a film began, even before the trailers, perhaps you’ve noticed a new phenomenon that’s been happening at movie theaters for about two years. They’ve been showing live, one-night-only shows, things like opera performances from the Met, for example. Using a satellite feed, you could watch a live event while it’s happening on a giant movie screen. And that’s what Beer Wars Live will be. After the regular film, several of the people who were in the film, such as Sam Calagione, Charlie Papazian, Maureen Ogle and several more will have a lively discussion about the state of beer, interspersed with some additional short mini-films, stuff that you’ll only be able to see that night. It will be hosted by Ben “Bueller, Bueller” Stein.

But more importantly, to have a huge turnout, say 100,000 people all turn up to see the “beer” movie April 16, would send a very cool message. So far, the most they’ve gotten for anything is about 80,000. So to beat that record would make it newsworthy in and of itself, and would be great publicity for the craft beer industry. In 440 theaters, getting 100K would only involve 227 people per movie house, so it doesn’t sound too terribly difficult. I already know of quite a few people and breweries who are throwing after parties at nearby bars after the Beer Wars Live show concludes, so you can conceivably make a whole night of it. If you don’t know of one in your area, nobody’s stopping you from starting one. That’s what Facebook and Twitter are for.

So grab as many friends as you can, especially the ones who don’t currently drink craft beer, and drag them to one of the 440 theaters. Here’s a list of all the theaters, by state, where it will be showing. Just follow the screening instructions, which are simple enough. Find your closest theater, buy your tickets online, which you can do at at least five ways, depending on your theater.

As for the Bay Area, it’s showing in at least 17 theaters, so let’s fill ’em up. 227 times 17 is less than 4,000 people. How hard can that be?

The reason I’m convinced this could be a momentous event and we should strive to make it one, is because there has never been a better time to get bigger, widespread support for all the small, local and regional craft breweries. Yes, the big breweries create lots of jobs, too, but then so does Wal-Mart. The problem with supporting a large corporation is the that the money they take in does not stay in the local area, but is taken out of the local economy and ends up somewhere else, possibly even outside the country. With our economy on the skids, supporting small and local businesses has never been more important.

Beer Wars is nothing new. The war itself has been quietly raging for years and years. But only insiders have been aware of it and even fewer still have been willing to admit it and talk about it publicly. This film should blow the lid off of that and make honest debate at least possible. That would be a great first step in bringing more people over to the craft beer side. Just like Star Wars, the craft beer movement is the rebellion and we’re fighting the empire for galactic beer domination. Once enough people realize we’ve got Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the Ewoks on our side, how could anyone possibly continue to support the dark side?

Still not convinced. Watch the trailer. Let the fermentation be with you.