Kings of Beer

Kings of Beer is an intriguing 2019 documentary film directed by Sean Mullin, starring Michael G. Kraemer, Jay Chandrasekhar and Tim Seitz. The fascinating movie offers a deep dive into the world of brewing, specifically focusing on the intricate art and science behind one of the world's most popular beer - the Budweiser.

The documentary film successfully serves to be an extraordinary combination of brewing science, corporate strategy, craftsmanship, and human stories. It offers a genuinely unique perspective on a brand that everyone knows, but few recognise the stringent quality management and tireless labor needed for thousands of dedicated brewmasters worldwide.

What's compelling about Kings of Beer as a documentary film is its premise. It explores the annual global competition, famously known as Bud Masters, where expert brewmasters from several Budweiser breweries worldwide battle it out for the title of 'Best Brew Master'. The Brew Masters do not hanker for fame or recognition but aim to produce the most consistent, perfect Budweiser beer despite the natural variances in ingredients, differing barrel woods and temperature fluctuations.

The film follows various brewmasters and their journey to the prestigious Bud Masters competition. Michael G. Kraemer, Jay Chandrasekhar, and Tim Seitz are cast, as they are part of this intricate process, bringing to life the passion, dedication, and acumen that goes into every pint. Along with the nail-biting competition, a regular beer-lover gets a sensory treat as the film takes you through various stages of brewing.

Michael G. Kraemer, renowned for his work in the brewing industry and a judge in the competition, plays a crucial role in the film. He unveils the passion and precision required to maintain Budweiser’s stringent global standards for beer. On the other hand, Jay Chandrasekhar, known for his comedic roles, brings in a lighter note to this intense competition as he garners insights and learns about the brewing process. Tim Seitz, another experienced brewmaster, presents the overall robust process of contemporary brewing with a great learning curve.

This documentary breaks down complex beer production processes into amiable terms for the viewers, from the careful selection of ingredients sourced from various regions to the yeast fermentation that gives birth to alcohol. It delves into how a slight change in these can dramatically affect the beer's final taste and consistency.

Kings of Beer is a beautiful balance between the technicality and the stories that build up the beer. It not only scratches the surface of the diligent labor involved but also shows the human stories behind it - each brewmaster's journey of achieving perfection, the right balance of ingredients, and their loving commitment to their craft. It also shows the positive and sustainable impact these breweries have on the local communities, touching upon the socio-cultural aspects of brewing beer.

Despite being a brand experiment, the film refrains from being a promotional tool for the brand. Instead, it offers insights about an industry that pours billions of beers worldwide daily, only to satisfy a consumer who rarely understands what goes behind crafting it and is aimed at anyone interested in understanding the beverage industry's nuances.

The cinematography, with its crisp, clean visuals, beautifully captures the art of brewing, so you almost feel the chill of hops being added, the bubbling fermentation, and even the pints being sampled. It gives an enticing aesthetic appeal to the documentary that visually represents the meticulous brewing processes, making it more engaging.

Through Kings of Beer, director Sean Mullin crafts a narrative that is not only about the science behind brewing, the camaraderie among the brewing community, or a tense competition. Instead, it is also about the pursuit of perfection, discipline, attention to the minute details that go unnoticed, and most importantly, the passion and pride that give birth to the King of Beers, Budweiser.

In a nutshell, Kings of Beer is about almost every beer lover's dream to delve deeper into the making of a world-class lager and a riveting theatrical experience that captures the essence of the brewing industry, all stirred to perfection within a daunting challenge.