Cast and Premise Announced for Death of a Brewer: Iowa’s Unexpected Prohibition Drama
Who knew Iowa could compete with a mob flick like The Untouchables? Death of a Brewer exemplifies this. So, Iowa was a player in the underground alcohol? Interesting. Yet here we are, with the movie Death of a Brewer, a period drama that takes us straight to the rough-and-tumble world of prohibition, super-secret speakeasies, beer riots, dancers, and tarring and feathering. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
Death of a Brewer Premise
Death of a Brewer unearths Iowa City’s surprising, beer-soaked history, centering on the infamous Beer Mafia and their clash with the Sons of Temperance during the 1884 beer riots. Think of it as the Midwest’s answer to Peaky Blinders, with a dash of Gangs of New York thrown into the brew vat. The stakes? A few key Temperance witnesses were nearly lynched, and the prosecuting attorney was literally tarred and feathered. Iowa’s history books are more exciting than we give them credit for.
“A Pint-Sized Collision of Loyalty and Morals”
Death of a Brewer follows the story of a young doctor entangled in a fiery (and foamy) feud between brewers and zealous temperance advocates. Director Mokotsi Rukundo has described it perfectly as a story where “survival and loyalty are at odds.” Sounds deep, right?
Sprinkle in illegal brewing, anti-immigrant sentiment, and out-of-control political movements, and you’ve got an explosive, yet eerily familiar, tale that might mirror some of today’s issues. History really does repeat itself, except this time, it comes with way better attire.
True Midwestern Realness
Of course, a story that takes root in Iowa belongs in Iowa. Filming will be in Iowa City and Galena, and some will be taking place in neighboring Quincy. Executive producer Doug Alberhasky compared the potential impact of the project to Field of Dreams. Yes, that Field of Dreams nostalgia trip still draws folks to Dyersville decades later.
Alberhasky says he wants the on-location charm of Death of a Brewer to do the same for Iowa City. Imagine hordes of beer fans showing up to relive the drama of the prohibition days. Beer festivals, anyone?
Death of a Brewer: The All-Star Cast and Crew
Unlike the unknown rabble of the Beer Mafia, the Death of a Brewer lineup includes names you’ll immediately recognize. Jefferson White (Yellowstone), Crispin Glover (Back to the Future), Mena Suvari (American Beauty), and Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) bring star power to this indie production. And with Keli Price producing behind the scenes, expectations are pretty high for authentic storytelling and jaw-dropping performances.
Timely, Yet Timeless
Sure, the “beer riots of 1884” probably don’t get much love in your high school history lessons. But Steve Sherman, author of the book Beer Money (on which the film is based), believes it’s a story that resonates deeply today. Sherman told reporters it highlights America’s ongoing struggles with immigration, political divides, and corporate control. “All over beer… and Prohibition, many years before the country tried it. And guess what? It didn’t go very well here either.”
To tie it all together, Alberhasky said the movie emphasizes one major takeaway—that no matter which era you look at, things were never as perfect as we like to imagine. Albeit somehow, we find a path forward. (Drinking helps!)
What’s Next for Death of a Brewer?
The movie doesn’t just stop at small-town Midwest charm. A trailer is set to debut at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver this October. Post-festival, Death of a Brewer will hit the national movie circuit, eventually pouring into theaters (pun absolutely intended) by late spring 2026. This is one cinematic concoction we can’t wait to taste!
With its sharp storytelling, fascinating historical blend, and a frothy flow of raucous drama, Death of a Brewer checks all the right glasses. And maybe after all of this, we’ll stop underestimating Iowa as just a land full of cornfields.
Keep an eye on its official Facebook page for updates—we’ll raise a glass to that!
