BOOZE THEATER – STRANGE BREW (Review)

Strange Brew is one of the goofiest and most entertaining romps from north of the border that we’ve ever been gifted. The beer soaked antics of Bob and Doug McKenzie and their adventure in the “Great White North” remains a cornerstone of silly comedy. This was also one of the first times that a skit from a comedy show grew into a full fledged movie. SNL would later mimic this in numerous films and make it a trademark of their model.

Strange Brew is the story of two unemployed brothers, Bob and Doug McKenzie, who place a live mouse in a beer bottle in an attempt to extort the local beer store into giving them free Elsinore beer. Unfortunately, they are told to take up the matter with management at the Elsinore brewery. When the brothers confront the brewery, they are given jobs on the bottling line, inspecting for mice in the bottles.

Meanwhile, the evil Brewmeister Smith played by Max von Sydow, is perfecting a secret plan to take over the world by placing a mind-control drug in Elsinore beer. While this drug renders the consumer docile, it can also make him or her attack others when certain musical tones are played on an organ. While exploring the brewery, the brothers run across a video game that reveals that the former owner, Mr Elsiniore was murdered by Brewmeister Smith.

Eventually, Bob and Doug wander into the Brewmeister’s operations room while he is away, and Doug takes a floppy disk containing a video of John Elsinore’s murder (thinking it is a “new wave disc” and not realizing the importance of its contents (this is the 80’s remember). From this point all types of insanity ensues which eventually results in the McKenzies getting arrested.

But as in all great movies, (eyes rolling furiously) there is resolution to all of the conflict of Strange Brew and Bob and Doug are lauded as the heroes they truly are. So pour yourself a cold one…or several, then rent this cinematic masterpiece (its available on numerous streaming services) and spend an evening spitting out suds on that beautiful sofa you just bought.

Rating: 4 out of 5 glasses