Created by Diana M. Wirzburger and Benjamin Zimbric

Treatment by Diana M. Wirzburger and Benjamin Zimbric

"Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy."

-Benjamin Franklin, 1779

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Concept:

A half hour celebration of American culture through a tour of the nation’s historic distilleries, brew houses and vineyards.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL meets ROKER ON THE ROAD and DIRTY JOBS…and they all go out for a drink.

From the Whiskey Rebellion to rise of the California Zinfandel; from Speakeasies to frat parties; Samuel Adams the brewer and founding father to Sam Adams the award winning brewery and everywhere in between, alcohol has been an important and often overlooked part of the American culture and history.

“American Spirits” will visit cites and states where alcohol production has been a key focus on the areas history and economy; ex. Breweries in Milwaukee, Whisky makers in Tennessee and Kentucky, Vineyards of Oregon and Washington.

Target Audience:

21-50 demographic

Potential Network:

Discovery Channel, Discovery HD, History Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel, HGTV

Basic Layout of Show

The show will be broken into a loose 3 act structure with sidebars and commercials in between. The show will start out with host showing up at the business and meeting the owners and/or managers. We will learn some of the history of the business and how it got its start. This part of the show might also have a local historian who can go into the historical significance of this particular spirit to the region or country as a whole. The act will end with a sidebar about another spirit from the region. The first commercial break will follow.

We will come back from commercial with the person or people that make the spirit. We will be mixing the hops and malt, carting the yeast, stomping the grapes; whatever these people do on a daily basis to make this spirit, we will be doing it with them. While we are working, we will be finding out the secrets to their recipe, what makes their spirit unique. We feel that this is the part of the show that will take the mystique and exclusivity out of the spirits. Beer, wine and liquor aren’t things that only the upper crust can understand, these subtle differences are something everyone can share and appreciate. This is also the chance in certain shows to highlight items for the do-it-yourselfer. We show you how the pros do it, so you too can brew. After finally loading the spirit on the trucks to be sold we will throw to a local pub or bar and learn how to make the regional drink and see how the spirit goes with local delicacies.

Coming back from commercial we will drink! We will be at a local bar, the breweries tasting room, a company sponsored festival, etc. trying the spirit with the people of the region. We will learn why they like it, what makes it a part of the community, what makes it unique to the region. Then, wrap up the show!

While this progression is to be the basic outline of a show, this is only an outline. We are going to be researching, planning and being exhaustive in our preparation for all shows. However, each show is above all a journey. If we show up to a location and find something that wasn’t on the map, so to speak, we are going to explore it. If we get to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and the workers invite us to come and see where they make moonshine in their off hours, we’re in the woods making moonshine. Whatever we can find to make the show unique and authentic, we follow where the road less traveled takes us.

Download the American Spirits Script (PDF).

Download the American Spirits Show Look Statement (PDF).