REEL CRITIC:’Beerfest’ a hearty effort, but loses fizz

If you drink beer and like R-rated comedies, grab a six-pack of your friends and head to the theater for the late summer comedy libation, “Beerfest.” If you dislike barley and hops, steer clear of this film and be the designated driver.

“Beerfest” is an off-the-wall movie about a group of guys who go to Germany to compete in a beer-drinking contest to save their family’s secret beer recipe. Before they can beat the Germans, they must train to become expert competitive drinkers. When I was growing up, this was called college.

The training regimen and the subsequent showdown with the world’s greatest drinkers make up the entire plot. The director, Jay Chandrasekhar, serves up an ice-cold comedy that should quench anyone’s thirst for laughter.

Let me be honest. “Beerfest” is not going to win any awards but it is a very entertaining diversion that reminds me of low-budget comedies from the 1980s. The main drawback is the film features no stars and that’s why the movie will not have a long run in the theater. The cast consists of members from the comedy troupe Broken Lizard. They do a great job but most people don’t know them and therefore may not be motivated to sample the product.

If the movie had starred Will Ferrell or Owen Wilson, this would have been the No. 1 comedy of the summer. “Beerfest” will have a long shelf life on DVD because it’s the best beer-drinking movie since “Strange Brew.”

This is the perfect film to see with a group and my audience was loud and rowdy. I went to a rare screening in Hollywood where alcohol was allowed. This was a unique experience but one of the patrons took the movie literally and he wasn’t around when the credits rolled. His poor friends had to drag him out of the restroom and it wasn’t a pretty sight. With most things in life, moderation is the key.

This is an adult comedy. Don’t bring any young children, unless you want to see them in AA meetings before they graduate from high school. The movie even features a warning at the start: “If you attempt to drink this much, YOU WILL DIE.” Funny but true.

If you are in need of a laugh, don’t just stand around; buy a round of tickets for “Beerfest.” It’s a tasty little film with no comedic aftertaste.