In a desperate time for tasting room operators, getting the word out about supporting independent BC craft beer seems more important than ever. So in its Fall 2020 issue, What’s Brewing magazine celebrates the contributions of BC’s volunteer beer advocates with a Craft Beer Superfan spotlight.
Victoria’s Mathieu Poirier brings a serious appreciation for beer to his blog, Matter Of Beer. He’s a Certified Cicerone® who’s written for the iconic Victoria publication Monday Magazine. Let’s find out what he thinks about the state of craft beer in 2020.
Q&A with Mathieu Poirier of Matter of Beer
Q: How long have you been an active craft beer booster? How did you come up with your handle?
A: I started around mid-2016, mostly on the education side.
First off, my name is Matt. Secondly, my passion was the subject matter of beer. Finally, it was a play on being matter-of-fact, which I try to be.
Q: How did you get into craft beer? Was there a ‘gateway beer’?
A: Growing up in Campbell River, BC, I may have been surrounded by Lucky, Canadian, and Blue drinkers, but I would always look for smaller, more independent beer options, like Vancouver Island Brewing and occasionally Shaftebury.
Q: What styles are you into today?
A: I love a good bock, especially a doppelbock or an Eisbock. There’s something about the rich, malty nature of the style that just draws me in.
Q: How did you come to blog about beer?
A: In 2016, I took time off work and immersed myself, passing the first level of the Cicerone Certification Program. I knew I wanted to take the base knowledge and passion I had and expand it, so I dove in with both feet and haven’t looked back.
A proud Island brewery supporter
Q: When covid-19 hit, what were your thoughts for the beer industry?
A: I didn’t know what to think. With BC already losing a couple of breweries before this started, I was afraid more were on their way out. But the way the industry rallied together has given me a lot of hope.
Q: How did this all affect your personal consumption?
A: I’m in a household with somebody who is immunocompromised, so I haven’t been able to expand my bubble. I’ve taken advantage of a lot of packaged products, and have been focussing on supporting the industry in ways I can for the time being.
Q: How much do you miss the events?
A: They’re a major focus of what I write about and promote, so I miss them all: Farmhouse Fest, GCBF, BC Beer Awards.
Yes. Yes he does miss the beer festivals.
Q: Any thoughts about liquor law, or what government should be doing?
A: The changes have been so nice to see, as the government seems to be listening. I would like to see a lot of the changes made permanent, as many of them were requested before March.
Q: Any personal accomplishment or moment you’re most proud of?
A: Finally passing the Certified Cicerone® exam in 2018 was a huge moment for me. It confirmed that this wasn’t just a hobby or a distraction, it was something that I had the knowledge and passion to do something with, and I feel I’ve managed to do that.
Q: What would you tell someone getting into beer blogging today?
A: “Back off, get your own sandwich!” But seriously, I’ve turned what was originally just a blog into more than a full-time job, in addition to my full-time job. It’s exhausting, but I love what I do, and the amazing people in this industry.
Oh and no, we don’t get lots of free beer, so it can get expensive.
Matter of Beer
https://matterofbeer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beermatter
https://www.instagram.com/matterofbeer/
Monday Magazine articles by Matt:
www.mondaymag.com/tag/mathieu-poirier
