Brewmaster is a documentary that was released in 2018 and is available on Amazon Addon. The film covers the story of successful brewer Drew Kostic, who is the head brewer at Green Bench Brewing Company in St. Petersburg, Florida. The documentary follows the journey of Drew from his humble beginnings as a homebrewer to becoming a renowned brewer and a successful owner of a brewery.
The documentary covers the history of beer and brewing in America and how Drew became passionate about crafting and developing new beers. It features interviews with beer experts, historians, and enthusiasts who share their stories and knowledge about the rise of craft brewing in America.
The film is divided into several chapters, each covering a different aspect of brewing. In the opening chapter, we see a brief history of beer and its importance in human civilization. We learn that beer was first brewed around 10,000 years ago in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China.
The following chapters cover Drew's journey into brewing, from his early days as a homebrewer to his full-time position as a brewer at Green Bench. We see Drew's passion and dedication for brewing as he experiments with different ingredients and techniques to create unique and delicious beers. We also see the challenges Drew faces as a brewer, from the tedious cleaning process to the difficulty of scaling up a recipe for commercial production.
Throughout the film, we meet other brewers and beer experts who share their insights on brewing and the craft beer industry. These include Tomme Arthur from The Lost Abbey, Mitch Steele from Stone Brewing, and Kevin Blodger from Union Craft Brewing.
The documentary also covers the business side of the craft beer industry, including the challenges of starting and running a brewery. We see Drew navigate through the process of raising capital, finding a location, and dealing with regulations and bureaucracy.
Overall, Brewmaster is an informative and entertaining documentary that provides a comprehensive look into the art and science of brewing. The film showcases the passion, creativity, and hard work that goes into making a great beer. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just curious about the craft beer industry, Brewmaster is definitely worth watching.
In terms of production quality, Brewmaster is a well-made documentary that features high-quality cinematography and engaging storytelling. The film is visually stunning, with beautiful shots of the brewing process, ingredients, and landscapes. The interviews are informative and insightful, and the overall mood of the film is relaxed and enjoyable.
The documentary is directed by Douglas Tirola, who has previously directed other documentaries, including Hey Bartender and Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon. Tirola's direction is solid, providing a good balance between informative content and engaging storytelling.
One of the highlights of Brewmaster is the score, which is composed by the acclaimed musician Ian Hultquist. The score is modern and upbeat, creating a sense of excitement and energy that matches the mood of the film.
In conclusion, Brewmaster is an excellent documentary that provides an engaging and informative look into the world of brewing. The film covers a broad range of topics, including the history of beer, the science of brewing, and the business side of the craft beer industry. The documentary is visually stunning, featuring beautiful shots of the brewing process and landscapes. The interviews are insightful and informative, and the overall mood of the film is enjoyable and relaxed. Brewmaster is definitely worth watching for any beer enthusiast or anyone interested in the craft beer industry.