We Band of Brewers: “The Michigan Beer Film”
On Oct. 6, the Ann Arbor District Library screened “The Michigan Beer Film” at Bill’s Beer Garden. A2 Indy arts writer Chris Usera was there on a cool, rainy evening, soaking in the atmosphere and, yes, sampling the Kombucha Beer.
by Christian Usera
INSIDE A FENCED parking lot at 218 S. Ashley Street in downtown Ann Arbor, one finds a different type of pub. Trees line the perimeter. There are fire pits and some of the most unique local craft brews. Most of those in attendance are twenty-something hipsters with keen tastes for quality beer. The counter where customers place their orders appears to be a concession stand converted into a makeshift bar.
On Oct. 6, Bill’s Beer Garden screened the documentary, “The Michigan Beer Film”—an event sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL). The film, directed by Kevin Romeo, was completed with $34,676 raised on Kickstarter. It attracted 471 backers who donated between $1 and $2,500. Romeo is currently screening the film at venues across the state.
There were about 25 audience members who came out on a cold, drizzly night to see the film. It centers on Michigan’s local craft brewers and their experiences producing quality suds. The documentary covered the beer making process from growing the hops to the final stages of bottling and marketing. However, the film also discusses the philosophy behind producing locally based products.
The place was mostly quiet except for the screening. During the final thirty minutes of the film (which was in all honesty redundant) people got restless. Typically, documentaries are between 60-90 minutes long. “The Michigan Beer Film” was longer, alas.
While watching the docu-brewery, audience members gossiped and talked about their college courses. They were beer enthusiasts watching a film not rapt film enthusiasts nursing their beers.
In the words of Rex Halfpenny, publisher of the Michigan Beer Guide, “The craft beer movement is more natural, more organic, less mass produced and is reverting back to a tradition that died out in the 1800’s. Craft brews are a response to the processed, prepackaged ‘McDonaldization’ of food.” Several other producers echoed Rex’s thoughts on the importance of creating a local community.
According to those interviewed for this article, consumers are too often disconnected from those producing the products they consume. By buying a craft beer, a consumer is supporting the local economy, as well as the environment. (Typically mass produced beers have to be shipped and are rarely organic.) In addition, many brewers are focused on soil conservation as well as other ecological considerations.
The brewers went on to say that Michigan has plenty of fresh water and a unique climate ideal for growing hops. This advantage helps distinguish Michigan from other microbreweries.
At BBG, the humble trappings belie the quality of the beer. The small outdoor pub has 11 beers on tap on a rotating basis. In addition, there are a dozen varieties of bottled beer, as well. The Beer Garden has brews which hail all the way from Grand Rapids to just next around the corner in Ypsilanti.
The beers range from hearty, chocolaty dark stouts to citrus- tinged pale ales. But, one of the most unique items the bar has on tap is the kombucha beer. It is a mixture of tea fermented with bourbon-soaked cedar chips. The flavor is a light sweet peach citrus, with a heavy fermented finish that can only come from kombucha tea.
At any pub, the last thing anyone wants is a giant pint of buyer’s remorse. At BBG customers can sample the various beers before committing. The bar staff is very knowledgeable and are more than happy to guide customers through their offerings.
It is this kind of attention to detail and passion that typifies the brewers portrayed in “The Michigan Beer Film.”
Scott Sullivan of Green Bush Brewery explains, “We’re a business. We’re entrepreneurs. You start out of a love and a passion. If you work this thing like you’re suppose to, then the money will work itself out. I’m not just going to sit at a desk I’d rather die.” Sullivan’s thoughts on rugged individualism and connecting one’s passion with the community, was reiterated throughout the film.
Trevor Klimek of Paw Paw Brewing Company summarized the film’s sentiment succinctly saying, “We’re creating values and making something together (that) we get to watch people enjoy. It is extremely satisfying (work).”
Bill’s Beer Garden is assisting in creating that unique community by connecting local brewers to bar patrons. In fact every brewer who was featured in “The Michigan Beer Film” has at one point or another been showcased at BBG.
Philip Smith, BBG’s General Manager said, “To my knowledge we’re the only parking lot in Michigan with a liquor license. Our bar is really a response to the urbanization of Ann Arbor by repurposing empty space. It’s kinda like having a beer in your backyard with your buddies, that’s the atmosphere we’re striving for.”
By providing a venue for local beer makers BBG’s is helping to put into practice what the Michigan Beer Film is extolling in theory.