Is that one of the Matt's who were partners in Brouwers? We had a BA meet up at Toronado, and I believe he was our host that day. This is sad news. R.I.P., and my best thoughts to his family and friends.
Matt was an awesome dude. Toronado is one of my neighborhood bars so I’d often stop in for a beer after my runs. He always lovingly gave me shit about being too active. After I had heart surgery I didn’t go in for a while and the first time back Matt gave me a huge hug and from them on we’d always compare our health problems. Matt had had back surgery shortly before my surgery so we always compared our medications. My favorite Matt story was the day my grandmother passed away in 2015. I went over and ordered a bottle of Cable Car to split with some buddies and the bar staff. At some point Bonney walks over with a second bottle of CC and is all “believe it or not, someone just called and ordered you a second bottle.” He shrugged and laughed It was always fun to attend the Three Matt’s dinners and see how proud he was of everything he’d a accomplished with the dinners. My thoughts are with his wife and step daughter this morning. He’ll be missed. Not sure if they’re gonna be open today but I’m walking over shortly to check and have a beer in his honor.
I heard the sad news yesterday and couldn't confirm so I didn't want to pull a "story of his death is greatly exaggerated" but yeah it will leave a big hole in the Seattle beer scene. Yes Terry, he was the gracious host for the bottle share you organized a couple of years ago. Time for another in his honor?
There was a big thing last at Toronado. Lots of new and old Three Matt’s bottles were opened along with a couple PNCs from his time at Brouwers. They’re on the rail in the middle of the place still. Had a pour of Tough Love earlier. It was pretty sad.
I didn't know Matt, was never a regular at Toronado, and I'm in poor position to speak to his many contributions to the community in all the years before, but I appreciated something I witnessed just a few weeks ago, which seems emblematic of the sort of person he was. The outpouring of eulogies by his true friends, loyal customers, and associates in the industry only confirms it. It was a Sunday afternoon, a slow day, and he's manning the bar and waiting on tables all by himself. The sort of day where a lesser attitude, having been in the service business for a few decades, might have revealed itself. At the table next to me, an elderly woman was having a meal and some drinks by herself. When Matt came out to clear her dishes, he asked in a friendly and familiar voice, "Anything else, young lady?" She replied, "No, Matt, but I like it when you call me young lady." They both laughed. And as the eavesdropper on their exchange, I did, too. That moment told me all I needed to know about him. Life is so very precious. Peace to him and his survivors.
I only recently met Matt but he made an impression on me; "how is this guy so chill/cool?" And now I'm amazed at how humble he was; I brought a PNC to some friends for his wake of sorts at Toronado without even realizing he was part of brewing that beer (let alone one of the founders of Bottleworks / Toronado.) I simply thought maybe it was one of his favorite beers. Finding out the sheer amount of things he was involved in while my Facebook feed is flooded with support and stories has been eye opening; truly a legend in more ways than one.
My favorite memory was a vigorous debate at the bar with Matt and a group of regulars of which I never quite came through enough to really become. The debate was over whether or not pictures of people biting into burgers would be a good ad for two for one burger Mondays. It was pretty silly but enjoyable like every conversation I've had at toronado was. Soon after every subsequent burger Monday Instagram was this person or that person biting into their burger. I don't know if that tradition will continue, but all the happy Monday burger posts does bring a smile to my eyes. So today i'm having my first burger Monday.
I too didn't know Matt very well, now that I'm living up in Bham. I've only had the pleasure of chatting with him a couple times at Toronado. It is nice, and sad at the same time, hearing all the great stories about him and his impact in our beer world. My thoughts go out to his family and all his friends who he impacted their lives along the way.
Didn't know him, but had plenty of interactions since I used to live just down the street and would pop in pretty regularly. Always seemed like a great dude with a little glint in his eye. Stopped in the other day to pay homage. Should have grabbed a bottle of the Three Matts, but 50 bucks....
I haven't been able to make it in to Toronado since he passed, but man, what a huge loss. Even though my wife and I didn't make it in hardly at all in the last 2 years since we had a kiddo, he and Sarah would still always remember us (or just me if I was solo) whenever we did make it in. I love the place and I love that he took on the risk of opening a Seattle Toronado in my neighborhood shorty after I moved in. It's been a huge boon to the area and I feel extremely spoiled to always have a spot nearby that has a reliably stellar tap list. And great food too, especially that burger. Hats off forever to Matt and I feel for his friends and family. He'll always be remembered fondly.
