If you’ve been following us on Twitter, you know that the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference kicked off yesterday after a rousing keynote speech delivered by our very own Greg Koch. If you know Greg, you know he’s not one to do things the ordinary way. He wanted to deliver the most rockin’ oration in the conference’s history, and by all accounts (including his Tweet in the middle of the speech!), he succeeded.
However, Greg didn’t do it alone. Some compatriots in the craft brewing industry, along with our friends at Red Tail Media, helped him put together a video tribute to the craft beer industry to kick off the speech. Various collaboration beers were poured for attendees as the video was playing, and when it finished, Greg led all 1,700 fired-up attendees in a heartfelt toast to the communal spirit of the industry. So share this video with a friend, crack open a beer, and raise a glass to the enduring camaraderie of craft beer!
I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.
DESCRIPTION FROM THE VIMEO PAGE:
"I Am A Craft Brewer" is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media...and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country. The video was shown to a packed audience of 1700 craft brewers and industry members at the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference as an introduction to Greg's Keynote Speech entitled "Be Remarkable: Collaboration Ethics Camaraderie Passion." As is tradition for the CBC Keynote, a toast to the audience was offered. This time, the beers offered for the toast were all collaboratively brewed craft beers including Isabella Proximus, Collaboration Not Litigation, AleSmith/Mikkeller/Stone Belgian Style Triple, Jolly Pumpkin/Nøgne-Ø/Stone Special Holiday Ale, and 2009 Symposium Ale "Audacity of Hops." A re-cut version will be posted as soon as possible, and a program is in development to include even more of America's amazing craft brewers. Please stay tuned!
The video of Greg's entire keynote speech will be available some time within the next two weeks. We’ll post it in all of its plaid jacket glory as soon as it’s available. As a teaser, it features musical appearances by some familiar faces around Stone and the craft beer industry (when I said rockin’ I meant it). -Matt Steele
Comments
Submitted by Jeff NElson on April 23, 2009 - 2:27pm
Remarkable! Cheers Greg and Friends!
Submitted by jbw on April 23, 2009 - 3:26pm
Is it August 22nd yet? Cheers
Submitted by Phil Holmes on April 23, 2009 - 3:54pm
I'm very glad I took the time to watch this video. I'm a sentimental bastard, so yes, it was a little emotional for me, but damn it, it's a great time to be a beer drinker, and I thank everyone in that video for all that they have done and continue to do in order for me to be able to make that last statement.
Submitted by dave on April 23, 2009 - 4:01pm
Solid video. I dug, dig and will continue to dig the message. It made me proud to be a part of the program.
Submitted by Phil on April 23, 2009 - 8:40pm
I too got emotional during that video, and it really made me proud to be a member/supporter of the craft brewing community. With the kind of momentum the industry has, and innovations at every turn, craft beer has a very bright future.
Cheers to Greg, Redtail Media, and everyone involved.
Submitted by Rich Pawlak on April 23, 2009 - 11:30pm
Wow, very very nice job, guys and gals! Nice to see ewvryone taking a stand with chests out and pride and all that. That's why I shared it with readers of my blog.
Submitted by pligg.com on April 24, 2009 - 2:07am
Greg Gets by With a Little Help From His Friends - I am a Craft Brewer Video...
A Video tribute to the American Craft Brewing Industry...
Submitted by Chris Miller on April 24, 2009 - 5:56am
It makes me proud to part of the wonderful and exciting world of craft brewing. Thank you to all the pioneers that inspired us to start our small brewery! Cheers
Submitted by Kat on April 24, 2009 - 2:52pm
Great video and so good to see so many of the brewers I know and respect involved in this project. Thank you for sharing!
Submitted by Bill M on April 24, 2009 - 3:58pm
Very Worthy!!!
Submitted by Sebbie on April 26, 2009 - 1:35pm
I arrived at CBC after the keynote, so I missed seeing I am A Craft Brewer with my friends & family in the business, but I heard and felt the viral buzz of this video for the rest of the conference. When I finally saw it on my laptop at 2am Thrs Night I was blown away... Friday during the beer on the web session Greg mention to the audience the buzz about airing a 30 second version during the Super Bowl (for a mere three million bucks.) I chimed in I was good for $10, but the more I think about this, I know it is feasible and I want to increase my contribution Ten Fold. Sign me up for $100!
Bravo to everyone who participated and produced this video!
Cheers, ~ sebbie
(sister of David Buhler 1 minute mark: TRADITION, advocate for Rogue & what John Maier brews 1:14 minute mark: AUTHENTIC)
Submitted by Erick Flores on April 27, 2009 - 6:06pm
Awesome!!!!!
Hi, im a mexican craft brewer, and the "momentum" that they cant stop, it´s not only in USA, it´s in ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
Submitted by Chris on May 1, 2009 - 2:52pm
Why I like Stone Brewery and Greg -- not afraid to have other brewers relish in the enjoyment of all things about makin' beer. Cheers!
Submitted by Chris T on May 2, 2009 - 7:43pm
I just discovered how big the world of craft brewing is about a month ago--and along with it some great brews like Stone IPA.
Thanks for doing what you do; now I know what I was missing!
Submitted by Jeff Bull on May 7, 2009 - 9:55pm
Guys, all i've got to say is, wow. That was a terrific video. As a board member for a Reno, NV brewing society, content like this makes me want to spend as much time as possible brewing, brewing, and brewing. For anyone who thinks they have no creativity when it comes to art, then try your hand at brewing. At the very least, you'll create something you love; That's all that matters!
Tremendous job Stone Brewing!!
Submitted by SustainaBrew on May 21, 2009 - 8:02am
Simply amazing! That just gives me shivers every time I watch it. This is why I love craft beer, the people. Everyone I have met since I started sustainabrew.com has been absolutely down to earth, passionate and gracious about craft beer. It is just wonderful world to be apart of.
Thanks so much for this!
Submitted by Lety on April 23, 2009 - 2:22pm
wow, awesome!