Brewmance

Brewmance (2021) is a stirring documentary fashioned to capture the ascendant trajectory of the American craft beer revolution, while encapsulating the essence of what it truly takes to transform one's passion for a humble hobby into a full-blown booming business. Directed by Christo Brock, Brewmance brings together a compelling brew of intriguing storytelling, captivating characters, and a love for craft beer in this stunningly shot and expertly edited film.

At the epicenter of Brewmance are three iconic luminaries of the craft brewing world: Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery, Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, and Vinnie Cilurzo, co-founder of Russian River Brewing Company. The documentary takes the viewers on an intimate journey, narrating these three craft beer pioneers' personal history, their individual philosophies, their triumphs and failures, and their enduring commitment to the art of brewing beer.

Larry Bell who started home brewing in the late seventies in Michigan, has grown his company, Bell's Brewery, to become the seventh largest craft brewery in America, paving the way for other craft brewers. What shines through is his desire to create craft beers with as much flavor as possible as a testament to his love for brewing and to push the boundaries, with Bell's Two Hearted Ale ranked among the best beers globally.

Similarly, Sam Calagione's Dogfish Head Brewery, founded in Delaware in 1995, has built an impressive reputation as one of the most innovative breweries in the United States. With creativity and redefining the beer boundaries as its definitive mantra, Dogfish Head has continuously challenged the norms of conventional brewing, cranking out award-winning and increasingly complex ales that have become iconic in the craft beer world.

On the West Coast, Russian River Brewing Company's Vinnie Cilurzo, known as the 'godfather of American sour beer', has helped revolutionize the California craft beer scene by bringing Belgian-style sour beers to the forefront. His passion for experimenting with unique brewing techniques and barrel-aging methods has garnered Russian River international acclaim and a cult following among craft beer aficionados.

Brewmance documents these brewing legends' stories against a larger backdrop of how home-brewing evolved into the craft beer movement in America following the end of Prohibition. The film intertwines archival footage with the present and offers a wealth of information about the beer's history in America, the rise of mega-breweries, and the subsequent fight for the soul of beer as craft brewers sought to differentiate themselves from mass-market beer.

Brock also shines a light on lesser-known brewers struggling to make their mark on this flourishing industry, introduced as real-life counterparts to the film's established stars. These new entrants, full of passion but facing various trials and tribulations, take the viewers on a poignant, aspirational journey, demonstrating what it takes to make the leap from a home brewer to a professional brewer.

While the crux of the film revolves around the business of brewing, Brewmance is much more than a love letter to beer. At its heart, it's a human-interest story, filled with moments that are both inspiring and relatable. It's about people who dared to chase their dreams and transform something they loved into their life's work.

Brock encapsulates the obsessive nature of these brewers, their camaraderie, and fierce commitment to their art remarkably well. The detailed interviews, the interesting brewing processes, the stunning cinematography capturing beer flowing like molten gold, and the immersive soundscapes reflecting the lively ambiance of bustling breweries and beer festivals, all collectively weave a beautiful narrative that is both refreshing and engrossing.

Brewmance is a compelling film encompassing more than just the beer—the ideas, the innovation, and the sacrifice that shapes a burgeoning industry. A rich exploration of the craft beer movement, Brewmance is a must-watch for any beer enthusiast or anyone interested in stories of perseverance, creativity, and embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship.