By Michael Balderston
One of the more popular things to do nowadays is to head off to a local craft brewery for a beer tasting. However, it wasn’t too long ago this now common occurrence was practically non-existent in Virginia. According to a Fox News report in 2012, there were only 40 licensed breweries in Virginia. According to the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, there are currently 88.
“It wasn’t something you could easily do,” says Megan Ann Troy. Now, “there’s a brewery wherever you go.”
This booming growth sparked Troy and Aaron Stanley, both from just outside Richmond, into making a documentary on the advent of Virginia breweries. Doing all the production, post-production and music themselves, Troy and Stanley visited 20 breweries across the state from Richmond to Alexandria and the end result was “From Grain to Growler.”
The film not only chronicles the growth of craft breweries, but the entire beer culture in Virginia, visiting festivals and popular bars and pubs. It also shines a light on the sense of community at each local brewery and the support amongst the brewers. That is what Troy said she found to be the most heartening lesson from her experience making the film.
“The business of Virginia beer is not just about the beer and it’s not just about the brewers,” says Troy.
That same support has been present for the documentary since it premiered in Richmond back in August. People have been asking for digital copies of the film and coming to multiple screenings. Breweries are even using the film as a promotional tool.
Since its premiere, the film has screened in Harrisonburg, at the Spoke and Hops Festival in Hardywood, the Skyline Indie Film Festival, Grandin Theatre in Roanoke and at Lickinghole Creek. It is also scheduled to screen at the Virginia Film Festival in November and has been submitted to the Alexandria Film Festival.
Now, “From Grain to Growler” makes its way to Northern Virginia, with a special screening on Oct. 3 at the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center (FAMCC) to help kick-off the Capital Ale House of Fredericksburg Oktoberfest Celebration. Prior to the film, there will be a reception where guests can sample local beers from Adventure Brewing Company, who was featured in the documentary, and Blue & Gray Brewing Co. and enjoy some live music. Troy and Stanley will be attending the screening for a panel discussion after the film with local brewers. Tickets are $5 for FAMCC members and $10 for non-members and include access to the screening and one beer ticket.
It’s been a good start for Troy and Stanley’s first documentary, but they aren’t stopping just yet. They plan to submit “From Grain to Growler” to more festivals outside of the commonwealth in the near future. What they initially thought would be just a little film has turned into something more, growing almost as rapidly as the craft beer scene itself.
Watch the trailer for “From Grain to Growler” below.
From Grain to Growler – Trailer from Take A Penny Productions on Vimeo.
Kick-Off Oktoberfest! “From Grain to Growler” Screening and Tasting
Oct. 3, 5 – 9 p.m.
Historic Market Square
1001 Princess Anne St.
Fredericksburg, 22401
