Do Two Rights Make a Match?

I took the opportunity to write this edition while actually at a brewery since I’m talking a lot about beer and why not write live on location! I matched with “Brewery” on Hinge and the conversation was easy. He was a sales rep for a brewery so how could I not match with him?! We decided to meet pretty quickly because the conversation was going really well. We met and our first pick brewery was busy and he was really easy going about switching to another one for a drink. The conversation in person was just as easy as it had been on the app and by text. We had so much in common! A love of beer, good plant parent, and a fan of baseball, and the food scene in Vancouver, and the list kept going. We were out for a few hours and having a wonderful time. Then Brewery sprung on me that the adorable dog on his profile was in his truck!! I was going to meet a dog! How could this date get any better? His dog was so cute and she and I liked each other instantly.

We dated for about a month and we ate delicious food and drank wonderful beers (keep reading for recommendations). Our taste in beer and dining was completely in sync. We had the same opinions about politics going on at the time, we agreed on COVID rules, we both loved travel and had the same style when it came to travel. Our sense of humour was too similar. He did not bug me for taking dorky photos of beers and food, and he waited patiently while I did a photo shoot with his choices too. I even told him about all of you and the blog, he was supportive and interested.

So why did we part ways? We were TOO similar. I was accurately guessing his reactions and we agreed on everything, like everything. I know this could sound like a dream in some cases, but I felt like there was no healthy tension, no deep conversation. The worst part is we are both in sales and so the charming, outgoing, flirty banter was too much and probably gross to watch from the outside. Can you imagine witnessing a date that is going TOO well, it is almost a sales call? I decided to call it when I realized that we were too similar for it to work long term. It ended amicably and if I see him out in the world it would a pleasant surprise.

Now for the beers! I wont be highlighting any beers from his brewery to protect his identity, also because its one of the few breweries I have not yet visited in British Columbia.

The first brewery I want to share is Twin City Brewing Company in Port Alberni. This small town between Nanaimo and Tofino on Vancouver Island, that most people pass right through, has my favourite brewery of all time! They started out with just growler fills and kegs but when the pandemic started they invested in a canning line and I could not have been happier. They have seasonal rotators but their staples are . My favourite core beer of theirs is the Swedish Gymnast which is a single-hopped blonde ale. And I love a good pun! I should also mention this is my favourite beer I’ve tried to date. They also make a delightful sour called High Wire that mixes vanilla and passion fruit so it’s not too tart.

Another favourite brewery for me is Bright Eye Brewing in Kamloops. They are located on the North Shore of Kamloops and its worth crossing the bridge from downtown for a visit. Their list of beers is always rotating, and they always have really well-balanced beers. They also have a great menu, a great patio and a bright dining room, so be sure to stop for lunch, dinner or some of their delicious snacks while you’re grabbing your beer.

Both of these breweries can be found as part of the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part 2 and the Kamloops, Shushwap, Vernon and Merritt Ale Trail respectfully on the BC Ale Trail website. They can easily be combined with other breweries for a full tour of their areas! Currently BC is under strict travel orders, so please be respectful of these smaller cities and communities, and take this time to plan your trips instead of visiting for now.