That’s what most people said when I told them that I accepted an invite from my good friend to jump on a bike in 34 degree heat to seek out some patio beverages. So here’s the deal kids, as I do this, you are eventually gonna hear some repeated names as much of the adventures I go on are with friends and family. Today I was tempted out by one of my closest friends who is a veritable fitness machine and runs half marathons and makes my bike rides look like the corner store jaunts I took on my Big Wheel when I was 6 (extra points if you remember what a Big Wheel was). Let’s call her Robo Di. I should have been in the lake instead of following her up the hill at UBCO to a place that I had admittedly been overdue to visit.
Kelowna Brewing Company
I looked like I HAD jumped in the lake as we locked up at Kelowna Brewing Company and saddled up to see what they had for us to try on a scorcher of a day. We were greeted by Brandon, the general manager who instantly landed himself in my good graces by inviting me to cool off in the keg cooler. Pure relief. Once I had my wits about me again it was time for a tasting flight of KBCs summer lineup.
I ran the full spectrum from stout and porter to a hazy pale and a cherry sour which was my favorite of the bunch in this heat. Robo was excited as she loves the IPAs and theirs is back now after being sold out for awhile. It’s worth mentioning that despite the proximity to the UBCO campus, KBC is not just a college pub and has a diverse crowd of patrons looking for their favorite brews so make sure to check them out if you are on the north end of Kelowna. You’ll be glad you popped in.
Upside Cider
Somehow I was coaxed out of the AC and back onto the bike. Fortunately the ride to Upside Cider was mostly downhill so I was able to “coast in on fumes” as it were. I had not been back to Upside since shortly after their opening so I was keen to give them another go especially that they have had time to develop their own cider menu with lots of different options. We grabbed our flights (you know that’s my jam), headed up to the rooftop patio and perched ourselves in some comfy chairs under the upside-down tractor. Robo’s flight was on the drier end and I started more on the sweeter side to get a hood spread of what was on tap. I actually preferred her flight and was particularly impressed with the Perry Oakey which was done in oak barrels and is a blend with about 15% Gewurztraminer. We also both enjoyed the Plum Rose cider as well.
While we were enjoying our sips Robo took note of one unfortunate soul with a group of rowdy’s at a nearby table who was in jeans and baking shirtless in 34 degree heat. He made eye contact with her and got pretty excited trying to get us to come over and hang with his group. We held tight to our shade so he decided to stumble over, sit beside me and regale us with stories from how he purchased a bunch of exercise gear and set up a home gym in his basement (complete with pictures) and how his Apple Watch is not tracking his calorie burn accurately, to how he and the rest of his bachelor party from Calgary were unable to check in at their hotel so they got inebriated at the closest cidery while they waited in their jeans in the sun. Here’s hoping Dustin and the rest of his entourage had better luck this weekend. Godspeed fellas.
I for one will be soaking in the cool waters of Okanagan Lake as soon as I hit send on this post. To the rest of you LOCALs, stay cool, lube up with that SPF and have a fantastic weekend.
Live Local…