Craft Brewing Hits Hollywood With "Drinking Buddies"
If you need proof that craft brewing has entered mainstream American consciousness, here it is. Drinking Buddies is a romantic comedy about Kate (Olivia Wilde, Tron), Chris (Ron Livingston, Office Space), Luke (Jake Johnson, New Girl) and Jill (Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air). Two of the four twentysomethings work at a craft brewery, which ends up being the fifth star of the film.
Beer is the setting and basis for the friendship between brewery workers Kate and Luke, who have a strong bond thanks to a shared interest in and love of craft beer. It’s the kind of friendship that could be something more — you know the type, with feelings that get more intense with every double IPA consumed. However, each of them is already in a relationship (with Chris and Jill, respectively).
The story takes its twists and turns, but the fun thing is to catch glimpses of mash tuns, fermenters, bottling lines and tasting events as the action continues. It’s even more interesting that beer centers so prominently in a movie genre that typically appeals to more women than men. It’s not just bland bottles for dudes anymore. Craft beer is for all of us, and it’s here to stay. This is a superb acheivement for craft brewing.
Look for the Drinking Buddies early release on iTunes and on demand starting July 25. The movie will show up in theaters nationwide on August 23.