Bigger Beer Ain't Better Beer

St. Louisans understand the high stakes of the beer-brewing industry more than people in any other American city — the A-B buyout sparked angry debate, protests and a huge loss of jobs locally. But when Goliath stumbles, can David take advantage? David in this case is every craft brewery in America. Taverns and grocery stores have limited space for stocking beer, and that space is often granted to the top seller — but if you can't even get your craft beer on tap or on the shelf, how can your sales increase? Anat Baron examines the struggles of the burgeoning independent breweries to get their beer — their delicious, delicious beer — to a thirsty America in the documentary Beer Wars. It's a battle fought every day in every city, and tonight the fight goes nationwide with Beer Wars Live. Baron's documentary screens simultaneously in 440 theaters across the country and is followed by a live panel discussion with the founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, the founder of Beer Advocate and the Brewers Association president. Your moderator is the electric Ben Stein. Beer Wars Live screens locally at 7 p.m. at the AMC Esquire 7 (6706 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights; visit www.beerwarsmovie.com for other locations). Tickets are $15.
Thu., April 16, 2009