Using beer as a jumping off point, filmmaker Nick Kovacic delivers a captivating portrait of Baltimore in his forthcoming feature length documentary Brewmore | Baltimore. In chronicling the rich history of brewing here in the Land of Pleasant Living, the film weaves together a tale of the city’s rise as a once thriving manufacturing powerhouse, its backslide in late 20th century, and its rebirth in the post-industrial age. The one constant that bends its way through that time-gnarled arc is the frosty, cold beer that generations of Baltimoreans love drinking.

“It’s not just about Natty Boh, Gunther and beer that's no longer made here,” Kovacic told Drink Baltimore. “The film presents a bigger view; it's the past, present and future of brewing beer in Baltimore.”

Though the film was inspired in part by local historians Maureen O’Prey and Rob Kasper, whose books Brewing in Baltimore, and Baltimore Beer (respectively) served as a blueprint, Kovacic brings viewers up to date with commentary from Stillwater Artisanal founder Brian Strumke, as well as brewers from Heavy Seas, Brewer’s Art, and others. Through the course of filming the documentary, Kovacic and his team from Digital Cave shot Union Craft Brewing as its brewery was being built. The film features stunning time-lapse footage of the Woodbury facility coming together interspersed with interviews.

Kovacic told us that constantly being immersed in beer and all the culture and lore that comes with it for the two-plus years Brewmore was in production left him with a chronic case of homebrew fever. He keeps the condition under control by making five-gallon batches of all-grain brews on a regular basis.

“I figure if I’m going to talk the talk, I have to walk the walk,” he explained.

On Thursday, March 20, Maryland Institute College of Art's Brown Center will host the premiere of Brewmore | Baltimore. Tickets are on sale now here. Naturally, local beers will be served at the screening.