Crafting a Nation documentary celebrates American craft beer spirit

The passions, pitfalls and personalities behind America’s craft beer culture are all put on display in the just released documentary Crafting a Nation. The film looks like a winner; just watch the trailer above. Crafting a Nation was filmed around the United States featuring more than 40 different breweries ranging from several start-ups to the largest craft breweries. The film specifically documents the story of two brothers determined to achieve their dream of one day opening their own brewery, Black Shirt Brewing Co., highlighting their struggles to get the brewhouse off the ground.

The film was released during American Craft Beer Week (May 13-19) in select cities nationwide and is set to premiere in Asheville, N.C., on May 30 (hosted by Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. with two screening times. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. According the film’s press release:

Despite the economic downturn currently in America, a new exciting industry is on the rise. The American craft brewers are truly rebuilding the economy from the ground up. They are creating great beer while also creating jobs, tax revenue and a drive that cannot be stopped for creating a better tomorrow.

Crafting a Nation features breweries, small businesses and individuals that are growing because of the rise in the American craft beer movement. The characters that have been selected for this film are all picked for their passion and dedication. Our characters are striving to not only create unique and American-made, but also they are also committed to the improvement of the quality of life despite the odds faced by the economic downturn.

The CBB crew is excited to see the final product. We tip our collective hat to director and executive producer Thomas Kolicko. Kolicko has a bachelor’s degree in film from the University of Colorado Denver. He may have got his start in film-making in the snow-sports industry, but while in school, Kolicko came up with the idea for Beer Culture the Movie. After the trailer went live, he brought the production crew together to finish the film. Upon releasing Beer Culture the Movie during the summer of 2011, he once again brought the production crew together to discuss taking the story national. That was the beginning of Crafting a Nation. To learn more, visit the site here.