Have a Cold One
Last year, I wrote a short story about a group of 20-something friends traveling across North Carolina on a road trip with a mission—to visit each of the state’s microbreweries, from mountains to sea, in nine days. They were armed with some borrowed camera equipment, and recorded their adventure along the way, intending to make a movie when they were done.
Well, all of seven of them survived (they took turns being the designated driver, but they were crammed in a seatless cargo van), and now their documentary, Beer Y’all, is playing around the state. Originally titled Drunken State, Beer Ya’ll includes visits to more than 25 NC breweries, including Winston-Salem’s Foothills Brewing Company. Check out the trailer. You can even get a glimpse of the (unmistakable) Wachovia Building as the Beer Y’all crew came through town.
What’s so interesting about this film is that it probably wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago. It was only in 2005 that state lawmakers passed legislation allowing for higher gravity beers (beers with a higher percentage of alcohol, up to 15 percent, whereas 6 percent was the legal limit before). That, and growing interest in locally-crafted foods have really fueled the growth of small beermakers and creative, tasty brews across the state.
One of the filmmakers, Curt Arledge, hopes to set up a Winston-Salem screening this summer. Stay tuned…
Update: Curt tells me there’s a screening scheduled for Aug. 6 at the Garage, 110 W. Seventh St., at 9 pm.
