Booze News: At The Movies
Plan on playing hooky from work at least three times in the next few months. Why? Because you don’t want to miss out on the Music Box’s latest offering, Malty Matinees. The series of booze-focused films occurs at 1:15 p.m. every third Monday of the month through November, beginning Sept. 16.
When else will you get an opportunity to attend the coolest movie matinees around, plus pal around with industry experts who typically don’t work on Mondays? I say go ahead and put in those vacation days (yay, for three-day weekends!) or plan on being sick.
In the end, you’ll appreciate your craftiness because you’ll get to quench your thirst for more knowledge about the booze industry. Each event begins with a tasting at 1:15 p.m., followed immediately by a 2 p.m. screening. Each screening is $7.50, and tastings are free. Alas, no alcohol will be sold on the premises, so you’d better taste all you can taste!
Photo still from "Hey Bartender" (Photo: 4th Row Films)
Here’s the schedule for upcoming shows:
Sept. 16: SOMM (Jason Wise, 2012, 93 minutes): Wise’s film offers an insider’s perspective of what really goes on behind closed doors of the super-secretive Court of Master Sommeliers and intimidating Master Sommelier Exam. This is the first-ever time cameras have been allowed inside. Viewers will get to indulge in Vicaris Generaal before the film. The robust, garnet-hued Abbey Dubbel was brewed by one of Belgium’s rising star female brewers. It offers hints of port, dark fruit, figs, raisins, chocolate and toffee.
Oct. 21: Hey Bartender (Douglas Tirola, 2013, 92 minutes): Tirola takes a look at the mixology scene in a documentary focusing on two bartenders struggling to make names for themselves. Some of the world’s most famous bartenders offer commentary as well as nightlife experts Graydon Carter, Danny Meyer and Amy Sacco. Viewers get two pairings at this screening: a specialty cocktail and Monk’s Stout—which is almost coffee-like. It finishes with deep roasted malt flavor.
Nov. 18: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Niels Arden Oplev, 2009, 152 minutes): The award-winning, blockbuster movie is screened. It’s in Swedish with English subtitles. Viewers will taste Lava, a full-bodied, pitch-black smoked imperial stout with notes of dark chocolate, rummy plum, roasted malt, espresso and lactose. Lava’s very popular with Scandinavian beer enthusiasts.