We’ve previously covered what a great city Austin is for cinema, and if you’ve read some of my event reviews you may also have picked up on my admiration for craft beer, some made locally right here in town. Often the cinematic and the beery have collided in local events, notably the recent Off Centered Film Fest 2014 and last year with the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow screening of Crafting a Nation. A group of local guys have taken this awesome combination to a new level with their project The Beer Diaries. Conceived in and based out of Austin, The Beer Diaries is, in their own words “an internet TV channel covering craft beer, or perhaps we’re a review site that puts together carefully structured and considered beer guides, or even a blog celebrating craft beer culture. In truth we’re all of those things, and more.”
The team behind the show include Brady White, working on the technical side of things, and Mike Mann, whose role as Creative Director stems from his background in film and documentary making. The final name that may be familiar is Greg Zeschuk, formerly one of the founders of Bioware (makers of games such as Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights). Greg is in the role of Chief Beer Enthusiast and show host. Together they produce the original content making up the shows and associated website, each episode focusing on a specific brewery or region. Interviews and visits reflect on how those involved came to be in the industry, particularly their loves for and the styles of beer they admire, as well as the techniques used.
A blog and website updates followers on advances in brewing, awards, and success of Texas brewing, and shows 3d interactive brewery tours, with the main outlet being the beer diaries themselves. They are mostly available online, but there have also been premiere screenings locally at the Alamo Drafthouse with Brewmasters in attendance and beer pairings throughout. Their new World Tour adds an interesting slant on these local interviews; a new show dedicated to exploring beer culture around the world. Part travel show, part beer show, the first series of episodes takes places in Belize where they explore the legacy of Belikin Beer. Host Mike Mann also showcases local Garifuna culture and music. Nice work if you can get it eh?
Today, (May 5th), The Beer Diaries release their newest episode featuring Live Oak Brewing Company. Central Texas has a very prominent German/Czech heritage and that is often reflected in local beer styles, and few really represent this better than Live Oak. Their HefeWeizen is ranked No. 1 on Beer Advocate’s list of Top Beers in the Southwest and other selections such as Primus Weizenbock, Pilz, and Roggenbier are all enjoyed by many locals. The new episode interviews founder and owner Chip McElroy. Covering the founding of the brewery back in 1997 as well as his predilection for old-world style beers leading to the current output. Live Oak employs a style of brewing rarely found in America, a decoction mash, open fermentation, and secondary lagering, to duplicate the rich maltiness and unique flavors popular throughout Germany and the Czech Republic. Their shows are layered in a way to appeal to beer novices and enthusiasts alike. Discussions touch on styles and techniques and a very smooth ‘popup animation’ appears on screen to expand on the meaning of a phrase used that may not necessarily be familiar to some. Playful animations are added in and overall have a casual yet polished feel. A great refresher on Live Oak as in the previous episodes, which have touched on other places such as Jester King, 512, Independence and even the mythical beast of Texas BBQ that is Franklin’s.
The Beer Diaries are a great local production that should appeal to long term enthusiasts and newcomers to the craft beer scene alike. While the current focus is on the evergrowing Austin market, which is interesting enough, sights are set higher and the continued coverage of other states and their “World Tour” series promise much. At its core, The Beer Diaries offers an informative and fun look behind the scenes at what goes into crafting that cold pint you often find in your hand. Keep your eyes on their website for new updates and screenings in concert with the Alamo Drafthouse soon.
The Beer Diaries website from where you can catchup on their latest episodes is located here. The new Live Oak episode is released this week, (May 5th, 2014).