Today I checked out the DC Independent Film Festival to view a screening of a movie that sounded very interesting — Blood, Sweat, & Beer.

It’s “a feature documentary about the explosive growth of the craft beer industry and the dramatic journeys of two start-up breweries.”  The producers interviewed over 100 brewers and narrowed it down to two. Throughout the movie, there are some great stats about beer, good interviews, and all around solid information about this great drink.

The brewers from the Pittsburgh-area are (relatively) recent college grads who had to submit a location for a senior year project and soon thereafter launched The Brew Gentlemen (that’s the very quick story for it).  They have made a huge contribution to help a rundown steel town come back to life. We sampled a couple of their brews. Good stuff.

The other brewery featured is that of beach lover who has been in Ocean City pretty much his whole life and wanted to change the scene from macro to micro brews — Backshore Brewing Company.  He had to start it small because there is not much room on the boardwalk, from seating to brewery material proper.  But, you have to start somewhere.  He’s gone through some ups and downs, from the name to the size, but it’s growing and growing.  I tried their light beer and it was nice!

The movie is due out later this year.  If you like independent films and/or beer, worth checking it out.