About First Mate - OG at The Hop and Handle Company

I started drinking beer in my late teens with friends in the park. We would drink whatever we could find with the primary objective of having a good time and getting drunk fast. Boy, have times changed.

Now, I'm a 38-year-old gorilla and get grumpy by the end of the week. I spend more time with my kids than with my friends. I don't get drunk because I'm a responsible parent who drinks responsibly. My asshole cat wakes me up at 5 a.m. every morning, and I’m in bed by 10 PM on New Year’s Eve.

When I get a chance to relax and have a beer, I want to make the most of the experience. I enjoy exploring new products from the microbrews when doing my groceries; whether I discover something new or settle for one of my favorites, I look forward to the Friday ritual I have of pouring a nice beer, sitting down in my favorite chair and doom scrolling Facebook while ignoring the rest of my family for the next ten minutes. It's my time. Those ten minutes are pure bliss. The family knows I'm checked out and not to bother me, and I do everything to make this time more enjoyable. I bought noise-canceling earbuds, and I swivel the chair in a direction to avoid eye contact with a kid, which inevitably would result in them jumping on me, etc.

One day, I learned that different beers are served at various temperatures, and the shape of the beer glass influences the flavors. I couldn't create cheat sheets because my kids would turn them into airplanes. I couldn't hang wall art to remind me what glass to pour beer into because it would clash with the family room's decor, so I needed a quick and dirty way to remember which glass matches each beer style. That's where the idea to clearly indicate what beer goes into what type of glass, directly on the glass, came from.

As I contemplated how to help beer enthusiasts like me choose the right glass, Concordia University called me as part of their fundraising campaign, which they do frequently. So, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and create the Hop and Handle Company. The company will sell beer glasses online and donate 4% of revenue to non-profits. Two percent will go to Concordia University's John Molson School of Business to take me off their calling list without me feeling guilty about it. The other 2% will go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD) because we are serious about drinking responsibly.

I'm sarcastic and have a dry sense of humor. I like to work hard and rest hard. I'm good at fixing cars, have launched several companies, drink responsibly, and maintain a somewhat healthy lifestyle.

My obsession with presenting the right person with the correct information at the right time stems from my background as a technical writer. I use that obsession to help people match their flavor profile to beers and choose the right glass. After all, why ruin a delicious beer with the wrong glass?

When I'm not juggling parenthood, sarcasm, and my love for beer, I enjoy the simple things in life—like science fiction and action movies. Kong > Godzilla.

First Mate's Character Traits

Gorillas are fascinating primates known for their impressive size and strength. However, their character traits are equally remarkable and often misunderstood. Here's an overview of the typical gorilla's personality and behavioral characteristics.

Gorillas are Gentle Giants

Despite their intimidating appearance, gorillas are generally:

• Peaceful and non-aggressive
• Shy and reserved, especially around humans
• Gentle in their interactions, particularly with infants

Intelligent and Emotional

Gorillas display high levels of intelligence and emotional complexity:

• Capable of learning and using sign language
• Exhibit a range of emotions, including joy, sadness, and empathy
• Form strong bonds within their family groups

Social Creatures

Gorillas have a rich social life:

• Live in cohesive family groups
• Engage in grooming behaviors to strengthen social bonds
• Communicate through a variety of vocalizations and body language

Protective

Gorillas show strong protective instincts:

• Silverbacks fiercely defend their family from threats
• Mothers are extremely nurturing and attentive to their young

Curious but Cautious

In their natural habitat, gorillas exhibit:

• Curiosity about their environment
• Caution when encountering new situations or unfamiliar objects

Playful

Especially in their youth, gorillas can be pretty playful:

• Young gorillas often engage in play-fighting and chasing games
• Even adults may display playful behaviors in relaxed settings

Patient and Contemplative

Gorillas are known for their calm demeanor:

• Often appear thoughtful and introspective
• Generally slow and deliberate in their movements

Herbivorous and Non-Wasteful

Their dietary habits reflect their character:

• Peaceful plant-eaters, primarily consuming vegetation
• Efficient foragers, wasting little of what they gather