Hot on the heels of this week’s Oscars triumph for ‘The King’s Speech’ comes another British film celebrating a national icon. ‘Proud of British Beer’, a short film from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), released last night.

In just under five minutes, the film delivers a simple, powerful message about British beer, articulated by some 25 brewers, as well as licensees, bar staff, barley farmers, hop growers and maltsters. It’s not just a ‘feel good’ movie, however: just three weeks away from the Budget, it also sends a stern warning about the ruinous effect of the government’s beer taxation policy. “Stop the duty increases –
show some pride in British beer”, implores a group of brewers in the film’s end frame.

SIBA chairman Keith Bott said “This is a ‘first’ for SIBA and we are immensely proud of it. Nobody could have made a more convincing, compelling case for British beer than the brewers captured on this film. Their pride in their beer, and the pubs that sell it, jump out from every frame and will be felt, and we hope shared, by all who view it.”

A copy of the film is being sent to all MPs this week as a DVD and via a link to its online presence. ‘Proud of British Beer’ was produced by Tom Chown, a BBC trained broadcaster, and scripted by respected beer writer Pete Brown.

To view the film: www.vimeo.com/SIBA/proudofbritishbeer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QANARINMQzc&sns=em
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the final frame of ‘Proud of British Beer’