An interview with club members provides insight into beer, friendship, and life
It was a crisp autumn evening on Friday, November 17, when the Craft Beer Club hosted their final event of the semester. The venue—Craft Beer Market—was a throwback to the club’s inaugural event hosted in September 2022. Since then, the club has brought together craft beer amateurs and experts alike, from 1L to 3L and beyond, to let the good times roll.
Unfortunately, not all law students attend Craft Beer Club events, so I conducted some interviews to bring the club spirit to the people. I went on a deep dive into the minds of some craft beer aficionados, hoping to uncover some of their wisdom. Read on to hear from Alex Nyikos (2L), Jeremy Jingwei (3L), and Esteban Herpin (3L) on beer, friendship, and life. Interviews have been lightly edited for clarity.
Ultra Vires (UV): What made you come out to Craft Beer Club this evening?
Alex Nyikos (AN): Well, I like beer and hanging out with people, and it’s a great opportunity to hang out with people and drink beer. I don’t know.
Jeremy Jingwei (JJ): I decline to answer.
Esteban Herpin (EH): Well, you know, I come for the vibes and the leadership is great—very friendly, creates a good atmosphere, and really brings a lot of people out.
UV: What sparked your interest in craft beer?
AN: I mean, my main interest in the Craft Beer Club is just an opportunity to spend time with classmates who I don’t see that much because they’re in other years, and community is super important and stuff, and it’s just really nice to talk to people. Also craft beer is delicious, especially when it’s made by monks, so you can’t really complain.
JJ: I love hanging out with my friends.
EH: Well, I like beer. Sometimes I have too many beers. And I like beer a lot. Ever since undergrad, I’ve liked beer.
UV: If you were a beer, what kind would you be and why?
AN: I think I would be a very heavy Trappist beer, which is dark, a little bitter, with a sweet aftertaste.
JJ: I’d be a Kronenbourg Blanc because it’s my favourite beer.
EH: I think I’d be a hazy IPA just because I can be a bit bitter sometimes, but I’ve got pretty good hops (like I jump high), and it’s my favourite beer.
UV: What is your favourite beer, and what would you pair it with?
AN: My favourite beer is probably the Rochefort 12, which is a Trappist beer. It has a very chocolatey taste to it, but it’s not overwhelmingly sweet. What would I pair with it? That’s a good question… You know, probably something greasy. I think you need to have something greasy with a lot of beer. Also curry, it’s a natural beer food, and it works with all of them. But like, I don’t know, a good sharp aged cheddar—like four years minimum.
JJ: Kronenbourg Blanc. And it’s not craft beer, but I like it. It’s for the people. It’s…refreshing, you know, like, you’d want it with something that’s a little heavier. Maybe a Sunday roast, you know, or shepherd’s pie. Bangers and mash. It’s Sunday morning.
EH: I think my favourite beer is a West Coast IPA, and I would pair it with some sliders.
UV: What is the best thing to do while drinking beer?
AN: Talk to people about drinking beer.
JJ: Hanging out with friends. Nothing better. (Abbey: Aww.) You know, hanging out with friends without drinking is great too, but also, with drinking, it’s awesome.
EH: Hanging out with friends.
UV: Who is your favourite person in the Craft Beer Club?
AN: Abbey, obviously. Also, Andrew Parker.
HJ: That’s a good question. Probably myself. I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I’m not egotistical, I promise. Um, it’s Alex Foulger-Fort. (Alex Nyikos: You got my hopes up for a second there, man, what the hell?) I’m sorry, Alex.
EH: I really like Jeremy. He always brings it. And he’ll keep the party going until late into the night.
UV: For Alex and Jeremy: How has being a Craft Beer Club co-president changed your life?
AN: Well, I didn’t think it was supposed to change my life, but it has encouraged me to spend a lot of time with my elders in 3L, so that’s a good thing, I think. I am very happy to have met people I would not have met otherwise through the Craft Beer Club. That is an unambiguously good thing for which I’m immensely grateful.
JJ: You know, it’s changed my life completely. Now, instead of drinking alone, I can drink with friends. (Kidding.) (Alex: Jeremy, that sounds like progress.)
UV: What is one piece of advice you would give to U of T Law students generally?
AN: Don’t overdrink, but if you’re going to do it, come to the Craft Beer Club where we can give you good beer recommendations, and you’re not just drinking vodka soda or whatever you animals do.
JJ: Enjoy the good times while they last. You’ve only got three years. Enjoy them. Have fun with your friends.
EH: Come to Craft Beer Club.
