I just read a review of the movie Beer Wars over at The Brew Dude. It’s the first review I’ve read that gives some criticism, albeit quite constructive-criticism. The Dude’s main complaint is that “more (smaller than Dogfish) craft brewers could have been included in the story to help with the realization that the community is so huge but so small & collaboratively driven at the same time.”

As an observer of the craft beer industry and a consumer of their wonderful products I have very much felt the collaborative nature of these businesses. It often seems like local brewers aren’t out to get each other and steal the market; they just want to make quality products and share them. This collaborative economy makes customers feel a part of the community and it grows interest so that no market stealing is necessary.

As far as the movie goes, everyone has given it a thumbs up, including the Brew Dude so don’t be deterred. It likely raises some important questions about the way industrial beer corporations do business and whether or not you, the consumer, want to support them. I also read this article, What Budweiser Can Teach You About Innovation, and I can’t tell if it’s a joke or not but it helps solidify my thoughts that the only innovative thing that’s happening in mega beer corporations is manipulative marketing.