Worth Leaving Town For: Métier Brewing Company in Woodinville
Editor’s note: At the author’s request, Live in Everett has donated the budget for this article to the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Major Taylor Project, which empowers youth through bicycling. Click here to make a donation.
The word Métier (pronounced mey-tee-yey) means one’s calling. For Rodney Hines, the owner of Métier Brewing Company in Woodinville, a calling to unite people—and a passion for beer and bicycling—led him to open his own brewery and taproom in 2018.
“Part of my life’s calling is to create a space where introspection, community action, and connection happens,” said Hines. “And I love beer.”
Currently on sabbatical from his role as an executive director of a local Fortune 500 company, Hines brewed his first beer over 30 years ago with his friends. Ever the visionary, he created Métier in the image of the lively pubs and cafés he frequented during his college days studying abroad in England.
“I was intrigued that you could have thoughtful conversation and education in a pub,” said Hines. “There’s something about a café or a pub that really gives people a place to plan and have discourse. It gives meaning to the brewpub experience we’ve built with Métier.”
The taproom at Métier Brewing Company in Woodinville //Nick Shekeryk
Nestled in the popular Woodinville Warehouse Wine District, Métier has become a fixture in the area’s bustling craft beer scene. The brewery is a destination for beer fans, bicyclists, and families alike because it holistically embodies its mission statement, which is “to brew damn good beer and build stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all.” While the emphasis on creating award-winning beer and fostering inclusivity drives its success, perhaps one of the most distinct features of Métier Brewing Company is that it’s the first and only black-owned brewery of the nearly 430 breweries in Washington state—and it’s one of roughly 60 in America.
Rodney Hines, owner of Métier Brewing Company //Nick Shekeryk
“It’s not something to be celebrated,” said Hines. “Being the only one is oftentimes lonely, but there is comradery in this industry and it’s been welcoming.”
Hines is optimistic that his presence in a traditionally non-diverse industry can lead to more diversity in the local craft beer scene. He’s doing his part to increase awareness by building relationships with like-minded people—such as his business partner, Todd Herriott—and sourcing materials and ingredients from minority- and women-owned businesses whenever possible.
Métier has also participated in discussions on diversity and inclusion within the craft beer world, and its partnering with other local breweries to start a fellowship and internship program that paves the way for women and people of color looking to learn about the joys of crafting beer. Hines believes it’s his responsibility as a business owner to create opportunities for others to thrive.
“We honor and celebrate the history of brewing in some ways by pushing the boundaries and seeing where brewing can go,” said Hines.
Métier’s beer hall on a sunny day //Nick Shekeryk
While Métier prides itself on being a pioneer in expanding the reach of craft beer to the underrepresented and beyond, it also understands the importance of paying respects to those who blaze a trail in the black community. The brewery immortalized the accomplishments of cyclist Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor—the first African-American athlete to win a world championship—as the inspiration for its popular Trail Blazer Pale Ale. A portion of the proceeds for this dry-hopped, citrus-tinged hazy pale ale go to the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Major Taylor Project, which empowers youth through bicycling.
Seattle artist Damon Brown (better known as Creative Lou) designed the incredible label art for the Trail Blazer Pale Ale //Image courtesy Creative Lou (IG: creative_lou)
“(I’m) humbled by the tenacity and the energy of the kids in this program,” said Hines. “It gives the beer a social purpose in its flavor.”
The Trail Blazer is just one of the many exciting beers on tap at Métier. Another top-gear beer in rotation is the smooth and robust Black Stripe Coconut Porter. Métier is also approaching the release of its Brut Calypso IPA and its collaboration brew with Hellbent Brewing Company of Seattle for the Black is Beautiful initiative. Whatever style of beer you enjoy, Métier is sure to have something for you because the brewery aspires to create beer for all people.
When it comes to Métier’s mission statement, the writing’s on the wall //Nick Shekeryk
My favorite beers on tap at Métier Brewing Company:
Trail Blazer Pale Ale
Black Stripe Coconut Porter
Follow Métier Brewing Company on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out the brewery’s beer locator to find it in stores, taprooms, and bottle shops near you.
Check out Creative Lou’s colorful and introspective work on his website. You can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram to see where his work is displayed around the Puget Sound.
Métier Brewing Company
14125 NE 189th St
Woodinville, WA 98072
Nick has a professional background rich in digital marketing and media. His work has appeared in The Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The New York Post, and on MSN.com, among others. He has a graduate degree in journalism from Syracuse University, as well as creative writing and philosophy degrees from Seattle University. He grew up in Woodinville and spends his free time playing and coaching baseball, running half marathons, and seeing as much live music as possible.