I have to admit, I was one of those who criticized “Beer Wars” the movie, and I stand by what I said, but Anat Baron has a point: love it or hate, it was meant to start a conversation – and it has. After leaving a comment on my most recent blog post about the film, I thought I would contact her and give her an opportunity to answer the critics and keep the conversation going. She graciously accepted. She has a lot to say and about the industry, the reviews of the the film, and a few “WOW” moments she encountered while filming the movie
. So take a listen and leave a comment, I’d like to know if your opinion of the movie has softened as mine has.
7 Responses
This was an awesome interview!!!! I cant wait for the DVD since I wasn’t able to make it to the theater to watch it. I also really hope the conversations keep going and going!!!!!
Posted on April 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Although, I haven’t seen the movie. I agree 100% with Anat’s comments. I wish she had interviewed me. Everyday I deal with 3 tier issuse in my small brewery. Not only those but marketing issues as well.I look forward to the DVD.
Posted on May 1st, 2009 at 11:03 am
Paul, Thank you for this post-movie interview that actually answers a lot of questions that we saw out there on the blogs. I loved this film. I loved how she actually got it to market. It will be fun to see if any further projects come from it.
I, like you, spent two or more hours speaking with people at my better beer bar after the movie, and the crosssection of BAs, homebrewers, distributers and retailers made for great debate and conversation. Some of the ideas, problems, & insights that came up are below.
Personally my favorite point was when Sam said he couldn’t sleep at 4 am, and he worries just like the rest of us. Any entrepreneur can relate if they are passionate enough to worry through the night like that, they will make it. Also the point that he has .0002% of the market share! We have nowhere to go but up! Good luck with Beer America and Good luck Anat with whatever your next pursuits may be.
One thing Anat said in your interview was that this was about the front lines in the beer industry.
I do agree totally that that was what her intention was, but there are other very big stories,spinning from this movie, a different frontline at the independent bar level if anyone is interested in talking that to death with me let me know! The brewer’s barrier to entry in individual states is an issue. Alcohol content caps in certain states are issues. Drink tax to fund public transportation is an issue. Distributors that aren’t able to grow quick enough to support the influx of smaller quality companies in the market is an issue. Microstar, bad glass bottles vs cans, and different case packaging, multiple size bottles and cases are such difficult problems for small craft guys.
I have been personally pimping craft beer since 1991, and it isn’t easy creating change in the restaurant/bar environment. Also look closely at the concept of the big three (two) and the national chain restaurants.
Keep up the conversation.
Posted on May 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for the kind words. And I hope to bring the conversation into the mainstream. Please help spread the word.
Posted on May 7th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I am told by a 3rd generation Lemon Grove, CA rice grower that Anheuser-Busch controls the world price for rice, the principal grain the A-B family of domestic beers, that A-B is the biggest global non-governmental purchaser of rice, the most widely relied upon starch food in the world. Consider the implications.
Posted on February 14th, 2010 at 3:01 am
I found the movie to be very interesting!
Posted on November 13th, 2010 at 10:44 am
[…] One critic of the movie posts on his blog Anat’s response to another critic, where she says: “it [the documentary] was meant to start a conversation.” I disagree. It was meant to ferment a conversation with biased hops and tainted yeast. Beer Wars, to me, was a cross of “Bowling for Columbine,” “Roger & Me” and “Unsafe at any speed” all rolled into one. It is light on objectivity, and heavy on low blows to the big beer producers. […]
Posted on February 12th, 2012 at 11:09 pm