HopCat

morimech

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

My first stop in Grand Rapids had to be HopCat. It is a good craft beer bar, possibly great craft beer bar, but top 3 in the world? Just do not know about that. No trouble getting a spot at the bar on a weekday evening. Probably half full as the numbers ebbed and flowed as time passed. The atmosphere was good but there were a few drunks and douchebags making noise as well as giving me the evil eye. Service was prompt and friendly. I must of been a friendly face as I kept getting the free mispours. Most of the staff is well inked and pierced. The staff is hard on glassware as I lost count of the number of broken glasses after 90 minutes. The selection is great well weighted for the hop heads, at least during my visit. I did not come close to trying everything I wanted to try during my visit. I did notice with a tap lineup as large as this, many people had a hard time deciding. Maybe too much of a good thing. The food was good but nothing I would go out of my way for.

07-17-2010 04:01:26 | More by morimech

kbutler1

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Been here a couple times while in Grand Rapids. Just an outstanding bar to stop in and grab a beer and food at. Huge selection of beers on tap and bottle. The bar is very expansive and the bartenders were more than friendly. The food was pretty good as well (the crack fries are truly exceptional). The staff was friendly. Busy place though so be prepared to wait for a table or hang out at the bar. At night this place really gets packed both on the main level and the upstairs balcony. Truly a destination if you are in the area. Nice that it is within walking distance to or from Founders as well.

08-23-2010 19:12:56 | More by kbutler1

emerge077

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

This was easily the highlight of a recent Michigan trip.

The place exuded an effortless cool, a combination of the turn of the century exterior, Art Deco & Folies Bergère posters framed on the ceiling, with the imagery incorporated elsewhere in the decor. Some nice paintings of 20th century jazz greats hung on brick walls in between art deco lanterns, hanging above intimate circular booths. Many tables, with a patio containing comfy sofas and furniture too. Brewing equipment was visible in the rear of the space. Multiple tap islands at the bar, maybe 6-8 per. I noticed the brand new Ommegang Rouge barrel-shaped handle, and ordered it first thing.

Once seated we ordered a round and had a couple appetizers. The food was good, "crack fries" were just ok in my opinion. It was busy, so it took a minute for initial service, but we were taken care of afterward.

Selection was really amazing for MI brews, there were 5 taps from Short's (it was a special of the month) and 5 from Kuhnhenn. Several from Arbor, Founders, and a few more obscure brewers too. Prices, style, and ABV were listed on the menu, also a plus. This place was worth the detour off 94.

08-03-2008 20:37:34 | More by emerge077

rkpsycho

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

My wife and I were recently in MI and we hit several breweries during our stay. Now that Hopcat is a brewery, I can classify it such, however its still just a phenomenal beer bar.

We visited Hopcat twice on our visit and lucked out both times having Kathyrn be our waitress; she was the reason for the high service mark.

The selection at Hopcat is excellent, with several rotating taps and a great selection of MI beers. Plus they will fill growlers of anything from their taps.

This is major plus, cause we stopped at Bell's and they would not fill growlers, stating they have no control over quality once its filled, yada yada. However Hopcat had no problems and that's great cause my wife really likes the Bell's Poolside that they had on tap.

I loved the Shorts Nicey Spicey; it was better than I remembered from the last time I had it up in Bellaire at the brewpub.

Definatley worth their high ranking; you must try if you are ever within the area.

07-29-2009 17:44:52 | More by rkpsycho

DukeKensington

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

The selection at this place is pretty fantastic, but on the whole I think it's just a bit too small for my liking. It's not a problem if you can hit it up earlier in the day, or avoid weekends entirely, but that's a little tricky. So on most of the occasions I've visited, it's been at capacity, and it's been very loud. I prefer a slightly quieter atmosphere for my drinking.

Still, I have to give them adequate respect for their incredible selection and service. Even when crowded, the waiters/waitresses got around to our table fast, and got us our beer quickly as well. And the beer menu was like a holy text in my eyes. Always great to see that many great options available to me (even if many were a bit too rich for my blood). I've had some great beers everytime I've been there.

I've only ever had some fries here so I can't really speak to the quality of the food.

07-04-2010 03:20:55 | More by DukeKensington

sprinkle

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Worldclass place, great selection, all top shelf liquors being poured, great pics all over, cysers, lambics, one offs...who could ask for more? Heard about the place for a couple years, then stopped in while we were in town, Corey even popped a hanssens Ouse kreik with us our first time in...will be back tomorrow and years to follow! This is an oasis on a very long drive, that I would go out of my way for. Good people, nice setting, top shelf beer, good food(italian beef, sloppy joeseph????)and libations. Stop by if you get a chance and if you don't, take some time and drive there!

12-07-2010 04:02:15 | More by sprinkle

nflmvp

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I've only had the pleasure of stopping into Hop Cat, once. But it was quite a pleasure.

The atmosphere is fairly typical of this kind of place. It's nice but not much different than most other top notch beer bars. I can't deduct any points here but I can't hardly add them either. I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, I'm not. I've scored it accordingly.

Quality is top notch. They do a great job of making sure there are plenty of great beers for everyone's taste. High marks, here!

Service was good but the place was pretty busy. If I could experience this place with a lighter crowd, I might up the score on service. All things considered, I think the bartenders and wait staff did a good job taking care of us.

Selection was awesome. I don't hand out fives for almost anything but if anything deserves a 5, it's the selection of brews at Hop Cat.

I just had a sandwich but it was good. However, I need more than a sandwich to really tell what I think of their food. I'll try to order something a little more substantial the next time, to see if I can upgrade that score a bit.

Value is about what you'd expect.

I look forward to stopping into Hop Cat again, very soon.

02-03-2010 15:12:30 | More by nflmvp

dutch05

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

As the first one in the door for the BA preopening party, We got a table across from the bar.

Great atmosphere, our server was very helpful in making our selections, a couple bugs in the computer system, beers not inputted, but nothing serious, that's what a preopening is for right?

Nice selection of beer, if you can't find one you like here I don't know where the heck you would go! Great variety on tap, but the bottle list was incomplete, should be ready for the Grand Opening on Saturday.

Didn't have the Scotch list available, but from what I saw on the shelf it should be a nice selection also. From the peaty to the smooth, another "something for everyone" selection.
The music was not too loud, nice to have it be in the background and not overwhelming for a change.

Two tv's over the bar, and one giant screen available in front for special occasions.

Really nice that the smoking section is in the loft, it didn't reach the main bar area at all. I am assuming that a outdoor area will be available in nicer weather, there is a covering outside the building that is fenced in.

All in all, a great addition to the downtown area, I am not a downtown type person, but I think this will change now.

01-11-2008 03:11:53 | More by dutch05

Magpie14

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

great place and great location. The corner lot with large store front windows makes for a nice atmosphere. Also the patio in the summer is rather nice, a little small, but none-the-less a great asset. The interior is great exposed brick wall, deep rich colors, and great bar set-up. I like the gothic arched mirrors behind the bar!

Always plenty to drink and a variety beyond reckoning. Some of the staff seems to lack in the beer connoisseur department, but for the most part are knowledgeable. You can find anything from domestics, micro-brews, internationals and everything between.

Food is good and falls within the standard pub-like menu with a few nice variation/alterations. I had a hot warm pretzel with a spicy mustard sauce that was banging and complimented my Short's "huma lupa licious."

I believe this to be the best bar in downtown GR! If you are in the area you must go and kick your feet up

11-27-2008 01:31:01 | More by Magpie14

david131

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I went up to the HopCat with bmoney575 during a beer weekend. We were both intrigued to see what the 3rd best beer bar on the plant was about. The place is beautiful inside with a bunch of paintings hung from the ceiling and a big tap list on the wall. The decor of the place was also stunning. I loved how it wasn't smokey. The service was pretty good, it didn't blow me away, but he was very attentive. The waiter seemed to be unsure of some of the stuff they may of had on tap, but that is understandable with a list as big as theirs. The food was very good, I really enjoyed the turkey reuben and the crack fries. Overall, the tap list was good, but it seems to me that Ashley's has a bit more- especially of the crazier rarer stuff. Some of the cooler beers on tap were Stone 11th Anniversary, Dark Horse Rod, Ommegang Three Philosophers, Bell's Hopslam, Stone Double Bastard, Founders Curmudgeon, Flying Dog Barleywine... They really seemed to focus on the bigger beers. The prices were also next to all the beers on the menu, which was nice for once. I was kind of surprised with the lack of Jolly Pumpkin, Kuhnhenn, and lack taps from Bell's or Founders. Overall, it was a worthwhile visit, and I will definitely go again when I am in the area.

01-18-2009 21:55:36 | More by david131