Beer from groundbreaking brewery to be featured in new Mariners development

SEATTLE — As the beer flows at Mètier Brewing Company, there’s a sense of purpose.

Literally translated from French, mètier means vocation.

“The more poetic translation is one’s calling, one’s destiny,” said CEO and co--founder Rodney Hines.

When the brewery was formed three and a half years ago, the entire country had just 20 breweries owned by women, and 50 Black-owned breweries.

Today, Hines knows of no other brick-and-mortar Black-owned breweries in Washington.

“I think we haven’t created spaces where everyone feels welcomed and sees themselves,” Hines said.

Everything at Mètier is diverse and intentional, from the artwork on the labels and walls, to supply-chain sourcing.

People walking in for a beer are greeted with a mission statement.

“The mission truly is, brew damn good beer and build stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all,” Hines said.

In 2022, those dreams will be realized in a new way, when the Seattle Mariners reopen the old Pyramid Alehouse across from T-Mobile Park as a restaurant, bar and event space.

At the center will be beer brewed by Mètier, in a space called Steelheads Alley, a nod to the Negro League baseball team that played in Seattle in 1946.

“In that space we’ll be honoring their history,” Hines said.

Beers will be named after Steelheads players and artwork will celebrate them.

In redeveloping the property, the Mariners committed to make upstairs office space available to nonprofits and women and minority-owned businesses.

“I think they’re doing it in a way that they’re mindful of who they can bring with them and who they can lift up,” Hines said.

As the Mariners lift up Rodney Hines, he’s doing the same for others.

Along with Reuben’s Brews, Mètier formed the Mosaic State Brewers Collective, helping emerging entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities break into the business.

“Part of our work is to bring others with us and propel them further than us,” Hines said.

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