Brewmance depicts the beer scene in America by looking at the history, the process, and the community of both home and craft brewing—but most especially by exploring the journeys of two groups of homebrewers from Long Beach, California. Father-son duo Dan and Jesse Sundstrom had a rocky relationship until brewing brought them together. Danny Regan, former trombonist for Reel Big Fish, left the ska band in 2013 to pursue his other passion: brewing. This documentary follows the Sundstroms and Dan, with his partners Eric McLaughlin and Michael Clements, as they attempt to establish their own brewing companies.
Interspersed throughout these two narratives are interviews with such prominent figures in the craft beer movement as Ken Grossman, Vinnie Cilurzo, Fritz Maytag, Charlie Papazian, and others. Viewers learn from these industry icons not only the step-by-step process of brewing; they are gifted glimpses of the history of the movement in America.
This movement, it is explained, grew out of a desire to break away from bland, homogenized beer. Homebrewers were inspired by trailblazer Fritz Maytag to break the mold with purer, more traditional flavors and to start their own craft breweries. The Craft Revolution thus began and was carried on by Charlie Papazian, who started the Great American Beer Festival and built a strong community around the craft. While this community is felt in the stories of the Sundstroms, Dan, Eric, and Michael, the film does not shy away from the difficulties involved in starting a new company and the challenges presented when competing against other breweries.
Several aspects of brewing come together in the documentary, but it never loses its focus in telling a grander story. Though beset by challenges, the five men succeeded in taking homebrewing to the next level: Ten Mile Brewing and Liberation Brewing Co. were born in the city of Long Beach. The success stories are entertaining and informative if a little extraneous where character backstories and family moments are concerned. As a whole, the film speaks to the layman wanting to learn more about brewing, rather than those who are already intimately familiar with the craft beer scene. Recommended. Aud: C, P.