The television space is more crowded than ever, and we may have our most surprising addition to the ever-expanding landscape: A brewery.
Yes, you read that correctly. Scotland-based craft brewery BrewDog, is launching its own streaming network, The BrewDog Network, that’ll cost $4.99 a month, or less than a pint of beer.
The network will be lead by James Watt and Martin Dickie, the brewery’s co-founders. Chris Burke and Jared Cotton, founders of Emmy-winning production company Redtail Media, will serve as general manager and head of creative. Redtail Media produced the duo’s “BrewDogs” TV series that aired on the now-defunct Esquire Network for three seasons between 2013 and 2015.
“After our previous TV show ‘Brew Dogs’ got canceled, we didn’t want to sit around in our underpants, crying into a tub of ice cream. So we decided the only thing to do would be to build our own TV network,” said Watt. “This is a genuine move to take the video-on-demand revolution to a new level. Driven by true passion and enthusiasm, we are doing exactly what we did with craft beer; raising standards and eyebrows in equal measure.”
Watt continues: “Just as Netflix has pioneered mainstream streaming services, The BrewDog Network will be the first globally-recognized, passion-focused platform. We believe craft beer can be the inspiration for the most popular content on the internet – maybe even more popular than videos of cats falling off walls or celebrity sex tapes.”
At launch, the BrewDog Network will have 14 original series, which run the gamut from cocktail, craft beer, culinary and travel adventures, to laugh-out-loud comedy, game shows, and distinctive documentaries.
Here is a taste of some of BrewDog’s original programming:
- “Are You Smarter Than a Drunk Person,” where an average trivia competitor goes head-to-head with a MENSA genius who’s not exactly sober. The game show will be hosted “Parks & Recreation’s” Alison Becker.
- “Four Sheets,” featuring comedian Zane Lamprey in an all-new drinkation adventure inspired by his long-running series “Three Sheets;”
- “Business Punks,” a docu-series featuring Watt going one-on-one with fellow rulebreakers and business misfits who have clawed their way to success.
- An all-new version of “The BrewDog Show”
The network also has a few acquired shows, including William Shatner’s “Brown Bag Wine Tasting,” a celebration of wine and wandering conversation. The network is available globally online and on Android and iOS devices. And, naturally, to go along with the launch of the network, BrewDog has crafted a special brew, Small Screen Hero, to mark the occasion.
Watch a sizzle reel for the network here. You can see the rest of the originals listed below:
“Burgers and Beers”
Pairing beers with food is a tried and true tradition. We’re flipping the script by starting with the beer, and having Michelin-starred chefs create the most creative, outrageous and mouth-watering burgers to go with it.
“Craft Beer Adventure Club”
A new kind of interview series; the entire show takes place while our host Joshua James (homebrewer-turned-pro) brew a new recipe in real time.
“Daily Drink”
The most creative bartenders in the world invent new cocktails and put ingenious twists on the classics in a cinematic take on the cocktail how-to instructional format.
“Drinktionary”
From Absinthe to Zapata–and everything in between–drinks writer Matthew Latkiewicz explores a decidedly grown up version of the ABCs.
“Into the Wilderness”
Named “Best New Brewery in the World,” Arizona Wilderness Brewing finds inspiration for new recipes in the farthest reaches of the earth.
“Out of Range”
Michelin-starred chef (and finalist on Food Network’s 2018 Iron Chef Gauntlet) Dave LeFevre trades in the white linen tablecloths for gritty food adventures in the wildest corners of the globe.
“Spirit Guide”
Scottish world traveler and spirits ambassador Johnnie Mundell travels the world in search of the people and places behind the spirits we love.
“The Nerdy Bartender”
Bartender and geek culture devotee Stacey Roy creates quirky cocktails based on comic books, pop culture, and meta-nerd lifestyle.
“Throwback Trivia”
Legendary game show host Marc Summers leads a nostalgic pop culture trivia game devoted to ’80s and ’90s culture… and day-drinking.