E-Malt.com News article: USA: ‘The American Brew’ receives top honor in film category at Great American Beer Festival

Award-winning filmmakers Roger Sherman and Jesse Sweet were honoured by the Brewers Association as recipients of the Beer Journalism Award in the 'Electronic Media' category for "The American Brew", according to Anheuser-Busch’s press release, October 15. The award was announced Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Great American Beer Festival, the nation’s premier annual celebration of America’s breweries and brewing culture, held in Denver.

Commissioned by Anheuser-Busch’s “Here’s To Beer” industry development campaign, “The American Brew” is an hour-long film celebrating the rich history of America’s favorite beverage of moderation. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Roger Sherman and co-produced and written by Jesse Sweet, “The American Brew” vividly brings to life America's beer brewing heritage. Sherman’s documentaries have received numerous honors the past three decades including a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award and two Academy Award nominations, and Sweet has garnered attention and praise for his work in the history, crime, biography and documentary genres.

“This film is a tribute to all of the innovators, brewers, dreamers and hard workers in the beer industry past and present,” said Roger Sherman, American Brew filmmaker. “‘The American Brew’ brings beer to life, and we appreciate the support of Anheuser-Busch and its ‘Here’s to Beer’ campaign in making it possible for us to tell this wonderful story to millions.”

“The American Brew” chronicles the evolution of beer throughout the centuries – from the colonial settlers through the rise of microbrewers and developments in brewing technologies. The film made its debut earlier this year on April 7 on A&E, an important date in the history of American beer brewing as it marked the 74th anniversary of the repeal of beer prohibition.

“‘The American Brew’ represents the contributions and innovations of American brewers whose efforts have been critical in leading the industry's growth and consumption of beer for more than 200 years,” said Bob Lachky, executive vice president of Global Industry Development and chief creative officer, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “We’re elated the Brewers Association has given this film top honors at the Great American Beer Festival because it’s exactly the type of program that embodies the mission of ‘Here’s to Beer’ in romancing and elevating the image of beer while being educational.”

Following its April airing, “The American Brew” is available on DVD – with an additional 42 minutes of footage and interviews – for purchase at www.herestobeer.com.

The Anheuser-Busch-led industry campaign – “Here’s To Beer” – is now in its second year and continues to elevate the image of beer through consumer, retailer and wholesaler education programs.


17 October, 2007