Crafting A Nation (2013)

Director: Thomas Kolicko

Rated: Unrated

Length: 104 min.

               This past Thursday evening I was invited (along with a packed house) to attend the premiere of Crafting  A Nation at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Littleton, CO. This documentary focused on craft breweries and the hardships they face in making it in big brewery America. Director Thomas Kolicko, who also directed Beer Culture, followed the opening of Black Shirt Brewery in Denver, Colorado, along with numerous other craft brewers across the country as they told their stories of how they gave up everything to be a part of this industry. The focus put on brothers Chad and Branden Miller, founders of Black Shirt Brewery, gave this documentary a real home-style feel to it. Their participation in the after screening Q&A gave the audience a chance to see the actors of the film as real people, as well as displaying the true passion of these brothers who sacrificed their livelihoods for the sake of their brewery. Interviews with Jim Koch, co-founder and chairman of Boston Brewing Company, along with co-founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Ken Grossman, gave this film a great deal of credibility. The narrative, soundtrack and cinematography played extremely well off of each other; however, this film seemed to be a bit strung out and repetitive as it came to its conclusion. It could have been cut by 20 minutes while still telling the same inspirational tale of how small town brewers have made their way. All in all, this film played a significant role in opening up my mind to the hard work put in by all of these craft brewers, as well as a gained sense of respect for local brewers who are trying to get their name out there.