A Hip Insider’s Guide To Seattle By Rodney Hines Of Metier Brewing Company

30.09.2023 - 13:15 / forbes.com

Within minutes of meeting Rodney Hines, the founder of Seattle’s Metier Brewing Company, I learn he’s accomplished more in a few decades than most would dream of doing in a lifetime. After attending Bates College in Maine, Philadelphia-born Hines scoped out potential new locations across the country for City Year, the nonprofit supporting students and schools in under-resourced communities.

Seattle eventually popped up on his radar, and it took just one visit for Hines to fall for the Emerald City. In addition to realizing he “could be part of the city’s growth and change,” he loved Seattle’s spectacular natural backdrop and more relaxed pace of life. After decamping there and organizing a City Year presence, Hines worked as a public policy consultant, managed corporate community affairs of Microsoft, and played a pivotal role in helping Starbucks launch its Community Stores.

Five years ago, Hines decided to venture out on his own and start Metier (the French term for one’s calling or destiny) Brewing Company. While great-tasting beer is requisite in a destination renowned for its craft beer scene—Metier’s stacked a pile of awards along the way—Hines saw a unique opportunity to “do this in a way that aligns with who I am.” That meant producing something with a clear purpose and teaming up with as many black- and POC-owned businesses as possible. For example, the cucumber in Metier’s Cucumber Gose is sourced from Sky Island Farm, a black-owned organic farm, and the fresh hops come from Hispanic-owned Loza Farms. Even Metier’s locations were carefully considered: Cherry Street is situated in the Central District, historically a black neighborhood.

“I want to crack that ceiling to ensure everyone can dream big,” explains Hines. “Also, if you do well, we’ll all do well.” It should come as no surprise, then, that he’s such a staunch advocate of fellow small businesses in Seattle. Ahead, Hines shares his favorite coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and places to shop for your next trip.

Coffee and cafe-hopping are part of Hines’ daily routine. “I visit two cafes a day usually,” he explains, and prefers to bounce around on his bike depending on his mood and the time of day. For “thinking and meet-ups,” he goes to Boon Boona, Hood Famous—“it has a perfect espresso, plus it’s Filipino influenced”—Fulcrum Café, and Bar Bayonne. For “fuel,” Hines heads to Squirrel Chops, Avole for its “perfect Italiano,” and Overcast for “friends and a smile.”

The doormat at Communion reads “I am home,” and Hines says, “you feel it.” The space is super cozy and familial, with “tables so close you can see each other’s food.” One recent night there ended with “sharing bites with our neighbors, including the Hood Sushi Bowl, Mac &