OK, I didn't really have the time to wade through 25 pages on this forum, but I've read 7 or 8 pages. I can't really say I thoroughly agree or disagree with any of you, but I can give you all a rundown of how this film has impacted me.
Many of you say that Anat Baron was a little grating, to which I agree. Perhaps someone who knew a little bit more about beer culture in America may have made the film slightly more tolerable. However, seeing things from her point of view should have a great impact on everyone because she ISN'T on the in like the rest of us are. She didn't make this documentary for me or anyone on this forum. She is speaking as the "every-man". We weren't who this filmed was poised to attract (although it did), it was meant to expose the BIG THREE to normal people who buy their Bud Light to watch the game on Sunday. It was meant for college kids who barely know what beer is. But it wasn't made for us. And since it wasn't made for us, it wasn't really shocking for us. This is all stuff we know already...down with the BIG THREE and up with local breweries. Whatever. We already understand that.
I absolutely abhorred the woman who was trying to pitch Moonshot. She was incredibly irritating and didn't really seem to have the knowledge to impress most of us. From what I saw, she doesn't even understand what goes into making her "craft" beer. You can't make a craft beer without being a craft brewer. PERIOD. Get the hell off my screen and go back to do whatever you did at Boston Beer Company. You're not 20 years old anymore, and you aren't aging terribly well, and it's obvious that you probably got implants to perpetuate some "this beer makes you hot" stereotype. And the thing that irritated me most about her is that she isn't even trying to be a craft brewer. She doesn't do this because she loves good beer. She's chasing the dollar, and that's all well and good, but don't ruin good beer's reputation by claiming that what you're making is special. You aren't trying to be a compatriot like New Belgium, DFH, Stone, O'Dells, you're trying to be a new competitor like the likes of the BIG THREE. She needs to go die quietly somewhere.
Sam was charismatic, and pretty entertaining to watch. As much as I don't care much for his beers, I appreciate the care he seems to take with his passion. And it's obvious that he loves what he does regardless of his profit margin (unlike the stupid Moonshot lady). I can't say much else about him other than that he was entertaining, but did anyone else notice the carboy in the WELL LIT WINDOW?
I won't continue much more with this, but I did enjoy the film. Seeing the guys at Stone was worth it. And the statistics are well worth remembering, as are distribution practices.
EDIT: Oh yeah, I want a "Randall the Enamel Eraser". I don't care how gimmicky it is, that thing is goddamned awesome.