‘Mallrats’ with Rubsam & Horrmann’s Four Color Demons Brew

The connection between the movie and the beer runs deep.

The Movie:  Buddy-Stoner Comedy / 1995 / View Askew Productions, Gramercy Pictures, Alphaville Films

The Beer: Four Color Demons Golden Ale / 5.5% ABV / Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing Co. – Staten Island, NY

Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing is owned by Brian Quinn from Tru TV’s Impractical Jokers. What does this have to do with a Kevin Smith movie? Well, Brian actually worked for Kevin’s production company, View Askew. He was recruited after going off on a bookstore clerk who criticized Smith. This isn’t the only reason for this beer and movie pairing though. In fact, it’s quite secondary.

Mallrats is a film deeply embedded in comic book culture, long before superheroes became the pop culture mammoth they are today.  This beer is no different. The “four colors” in Rubsam and Horrmann’s golden ale offering refers to the four basic colors used when printing comic books (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The Four Color Demons are an actual group of fans of the podcast Tell Em Steve Dave, and they are hailed as the “original motorcycle club for comic book fans.” Even the artwork, by the Kucharek brothers, features a demon inside a corner box.

Now onto the movie.

An ‘eloquent’ monologue by Jason Lee as the blunt but honest protagonist, Brody, opens the film. A flurry of clever puns and wordplay-adorned mall storefronts fly past before a ’90s pop punk song kicks on, and comic book covers featuring the characters are displayed on screen. Talk about setting a tone. There are also a wide range of performers: from newcomers at the time like Jason Lee to the more seasoned Shannon Doherty and Michael Rooker.

Smith wastes no time setting up conflict and doubly at that. This crude comedy is also a story of friendship. We are first introduced to T.S. (Jeremy London) and Brandi (Claire Forlani) who are about to embark on a romantic getaway only for Brandi to cancel the trip at the very last second. Brandi’s father (Michael Rooker) needs someone for his dating show after a contestant drops out. Brandi feels guilty and obliges to her father’s wishes as T.S. is ultimately responsible. It leads to a fight that eventually ends in them breaking up, a reoccurring pattern for the couple. Though this time it seems to be for good.

Then we are introduced to Brody. He too is experiencing relationship troubles with his girlfriend Rene (Shannon Doherty), though for different reasons. She breaks it off with Brody just as Brandi did with T.S. Speaking of T.S., distraught from the breakup, he heads to Brody’s house in hopes his friend can console him. Instead, he shares his fate. So, what do two buddies do to forget their lady troubles? What anyone would do in the ’90s — go to the mall.

The mall is a mythical and magical place. It is wrought with friends, bargains, and enemies. As T.S. and Brody make their way they see a television crew setting up. Brody, the head ‘Mallrat,’ immediately inquires. It turns out the aforementioned game show ran by Brandi’s father will actually be shooting at the mall later that day. Brody enlists the help of Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) to help shut it down.

Throughout the film comic book references are aplenty. There is a similar dynamic between Brody and T.S. as there was between Dante and Randal from Smith’s previous film Clerks. Intense conversations regarding fictional characters are where Brody becomes most impassioned. Superhero genitalia is a very serious topic. These are the kinds of conversations you have with your friends on a Friday night after a few beers.

Brody and T.S. interact with a cast of characters straight out of a ’90s high school year book. Some are there to help, and others like Shannon (Ben Affleck) are out to make their lives, particularly Brody’s, a living hell. Jay and Silent Bob continue their attempts at sabotage to no success due to an overzealous security guard.  Smith does an excellent job of diving into the ecosystem of a mall.

The humor can sometimes be a little ‘slap sticky’ but never comes off as corny. Like Smith’s other films his gift for crude but equally clever dialogue is present. The humor of Jay and Silent Bob is much more physical here compared to their more sedentary roles in Clerks. It all builds up to a happy, though expected, ending. Brody and T.S. win their ladies back, and all is right with the world. Or at least the mall anyhow.

The Four Color Demons Golden Ale can describes opening one of their beers to that of opening a brand-new issue of your favorite comic book. Pouring a cold one into a glass your senses are immediately filled with a fizzy and crisp smell, reminding one of a fresh comic book. Yes, comics have a smell.

The taste can be described as vibrant and colorful. And just like your favorite comic books it is rich in color and textures. Next time you or one of your friends is having relationship troubles take them to the mall and pour them a glass of some Four Color Demon Golden Ale.