Sam Corbeil: The Proost Questionnaire

The Proust Questionnaire is a famous questionnaire about one’s personality. Its name and modern popularity as a form of interview is owed to the responses once given by the French writer Marcel Proust. Ben’s Beer Blog has co-opted this format in order to provide a revealing look at people making beer and working in the beer industry in Ontario. As such, I’ve renamed it The Proost Questionnaire, since “proost” is the Dutch word for cheers. Clever right?

Sam Corbeil, brewmaster at Sawdust City in Gravenhurst, waxes philosophical about the fundamental states of brain matter, not smiling, and honesty when drinking.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Not sure. Haven’t been there yet. Still looking. But I guess that’s kinda the point.

What is your greatest fear?

Not getting the most out of my life as I can.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Not dying. Yet.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Shyness.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Hatred or Anger.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I waste a lot of water in my job. Water is pretty important.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Temperance I guess. I’ve been known to overindulge…on occasion.

On what occasion do you lie?

Usually on those occasions in which I’ve over indulged.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

Not smiling enough. People like to see other people smile.

Which living person do you most despise?

I don’t really want to waste time despising someone. It’s kind of a pointless.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I say “fuck” a lot.

What is your greatest regret?

Not hugging my friend before he left on his cross Canada trip. He died. I still think about it all the time. Fuck. Now I’m sad.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My wife.

When and where were you happiest?

At home. Just the other day.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could write good..

What is your current state of mind?

Solid. Well my brain is solid, but I guess my “mind” or thoughts would be…gaseous?

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

My Mom would still be alive.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

A person.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

A better person.

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a Dad.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Honesty.

Who are your favorite writers?

Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Bukowski, and Milan Kundera

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Kilgore Trout.

What are your favorite names?

Olive and Ivan.

How would you like to die?

Happy.

What is your motto?

Whatever floats your boat, man.