The Hop Grenade

Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

2151 Salvio St
Ste J
Concord, California, 94520-2403
United States

(888) 401-2337 | map
thehopgrenade.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.44
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
22
pDev:
7.43%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by abaer123:
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Reviewed by abaer123 from California

4/5  rDev -9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Went here while in Concord, CA to check it out on April 18, 2016. They had a lot of high alcohol beers on tap. One of my favorites was on - Firstone Walker 19th Anniversary Ale - delicious I also had an AltaMont Maui Waui on Nitro - always tastey, and New Glory Brewing/Bike Dog collaboration: Tantamount - refreshing and delicious.

I ordered a Rubenesque sandwich to have for lunch as well - tasty!

The vibe was welcoming. Relaxed and easy going.

They have bottles for sale in the fridge. Unfortunately, they did not have any FW 19th Anni in the fridge. ;)

Bar tenders are attentive.

I would be happy to return!
Apr 19, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

4.42/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75
It was a lovely, sunny late May afternoon. I had some free time to kill while the lady friend was working. I drove around the downtown area and spotted a place with nearby parking garage and outdoor seating. Perfect!

I walked in and sat at the bar to review the offerings on the TV screens. The text was too small for me to read so I had to pull up the Tappd app. Large variety of beers, spanning several different styles with iterations of each. Being and East Coaster, I get a Pliny nearly anytime I can, especially when I want to enjoy the outdoors. Thats what I got!

Fresh and tasty. The outdoor seating area had umbrellas for shade to keep it cool on the warm day. I enjoyed the people watching both on the sidewalk and the park across the street. People are so interesting! I would easily come back here as the vibe suits me.
Aug 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.32 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jun 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.45 by Skoal-CZ from California

Jan 02, 2019
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Reviewed by BayAreaJoe from California

4.69/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25
I regularly stop by THG on the way home from work to pickup some to-go bottles and cans. It's always very chill and relaxing, everyone who works there is nice and inviting, and they regularly get in a lot of the best rotating beers from top breweries with distribution to this area. Could stand to get a couple more fridges so they have more display selection, but they do get beers you won't find anywhere else around here.

Haven't tried any food. Overall one of the liveliest spots in town.
May 02, 2018
 
Rated: 3.96 by Shanex from France

May 09, 2017
 
Rated: 4.86 by Mikey440 from California

Jan 10, 2017
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Reviewed by scottfrie from California

4.76/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
I'll start this review by stating that I live in the area and this is my go-to local bar, so my review may be slightly bias. However, with that said, compared to other bars in the area, and compared to my previous go-to bars around other locations that I've lived, I can say that THG is one of my favorite places to drink.

THG houses the studio that The Brewing Network broadcasts their various brewcasts from, and depending on the show and if they have a brewer as a guest, the tap list at the bar may change to include beers from the guest brewery. This is a nice treat if the brewery is from somewhere outside of our distribution, or if it's a brewery only beer that the brewer brought along with him/her. In addition, because of the history TBN has with many breweries over the years, THG regularly receives limited releases, special event kegs, brewery only releases, and other sought after beers that most other bars do not have access to.

THG typically has 21 rotating taps with a dedicated cider tap and dedicated nitro tap. The beer on each tap is always rotating, and they hardly ever have the same beer on tap for more than a week or two, and they hardly ever put the same keg on back to back. There is generally at least one beer from at least a dozen different styles, so there is typically always a style for everyone on tap. The bar also regularly has events like tap takeovers, etc. a couple times a month, so there is usually something to look forward to. My favorite part is they use the DigitalPour software so at any time you can go to their website and see in real-time exactly what is on tap and how much is left in each keg.

The location itself is a comfortable place to drink, with a large bar area, indoor table seating, and an outdoor patio with tables, couches, and a small fire pit. They have about six beer fridges full of bottles for on-site consumption or take out. Their food menu isn't huge, but it does the trick, especially since this is a bar and not a brewpub, and they have a variety of snacks and a couple substantial hot sandwich meals. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about beer, and many are homebrewers. They also have a rewards system that is free to join and rewards you with free draft beer. Overall, I feel pretty spoiled to live so close to this great place, and I definitely recommend THG to any beer fan who is in the area.
May 02, 2016
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Reviewed by TriggerFingers from California

4.81/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
I am so glad I live near one BART stop from this place...It is one of the best beer bars I have ever been too.

It doesn't have the most taps, velvet ropes, or a great food menu. So, why is it so good?

20-22 taps constantly rotating. Digital beer menu telling what is on tap and the level of each keg! EVERYTHING is a guest here. Something for everyone and no bunk. Sometimes you can get Pliny next to Kern River Citra or Altamont next to 3 or 4 Cellarmaker offerings. Ciders, Sours, IPA's, and everything in between! Every so often, something else is tapped.

Staff is prompt and attentive. Go there every now and again and if sitting outside, they will come by and get you another beer and/or take your glass while offering to get you another drink.

Tap beer selection is almost always a 5. Seriously, I don't know of anywhere else you can get Berryessa, Altamont, Cellarmaker, Russian River, Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker on one list anywhere in California? Let alone a place that gets Alesmith, Jolly Pumpkin, Rare Barrel, Heretic, Faction, and others to go along next to them on a constant basis. Plus, there are top-notch beers from many other places that make it on the list here. Its the luck of the draw what is on tap when you go.

Bottle selection isn't bad as well.There are even some bottles that are for purchase for consumption on the premises.

Food? Meh...I have had the pretzels with beer mustard and it was good on a hot day with some IPA's. Plenty of other places around the square for food. But Hop Grenade is where its at for beer!
Mar 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by Topskee from California

Oct 11, 2015
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Reviewed by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
Love the mobile app view of how much beer is left in each of the beers currently on tap. Definitely a Bay Area convergence of beer and technology. Had about 15-20 beers on tap, mostly from the west coast with a wide selection of Breweries and varieties of beer.
Sep 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.86 by TruePerception from California

Aug 30, 2015
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Reviewed by GRG1313 from California

4.4/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
This is in what I'll call "old" Concord, California that has become built up and cool. There are three beer spots literally within feet of one another (and several more within walking distance.) This is a beer bar and bottle shop with a small selection of some decent (albeit few choices) bar food.

Probably in excess of 100 different bottles available to purchase for take out or drink in. About 22 taps that I could see, all with some very nice things. This is the place where "the cool kids" are coming in Concord (although there were clearly people of all ages there). You can order off a tablet; you can see the complete beer line up off a tablet and you can review the food menu from a tablet. There are monitor displays every few feet above the bar with the tap listing, all of them being first rate things.

The guy behind the bar when I was there was knowledgeable and friendly. Most importantly, it just felt good to be there and hang. Lots of light; lots of tables and chairs and a really nice selection. Food was very good even if limited in selection.
Aug 09, 2015
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Reviewed by flexabull from California

4.06/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Impressive little place right next door to EJ Phair. I went there to eat and drink since I had my kid with me, stopped by here to check it out and grab a couple of bottles to go.

Somebody spared little expensive with this place. Clean and new looking, Digital Pour tap board, fridges full of beers, and nice seating areas inside and out.

Quality was nothing but craft. They had I believe a little more than 20 beers on tap. And as mentioned, quite a few bottles in coolers.

Service was fine, but nothing special. Was kind of surprised how many employees were just milling about not doing much of anything though.

Overall, very nice looking place, I would have liked to have sat down for a beer if I could.

One thing of note, the "corking fee" for opening bottles in house seemed high. One of the bottles I bought would have cost almost $4 extra to drink there.
Jul 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.72 by spointon from Illinois

Jul 03, 2015
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Rated by Petedadink

4.74/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3
Love this place . Friendly staff . Selection of foods is limited but definitely worth a try
Jun 07, 2015
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Reviewed by SFWD1934 from California

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.25
I have enjoyed The Hop Grenade for nearly a year now since they first opened. In that time I have gotten to know all the staff and the GM. They are great people, and there are a couple guys that work that are extremely knowledgeable and helpful for people that are on the fence when they do not know what they want. They have 21 taps plus bottles for there or to go. The food is not bad. They have brisket sandwiches that have been prepared by a local BBQ spot. They also have some flatbread and popcorn. No fear though as there are a number of places within walking distance that you can get and bring in with you. Sour Hours are great because they usually have bottles of Cantillon for sale.
Jun 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by Mikaveli from California

Apr 05, 2015
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Rated by beernbiology from California

5/5  rDev +12.6%
GREAT tasting of all California winners at GABF. If you can't find a beer to suit your taste here, give up.
Oct 24, 2014
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Rated by Hophazzard from California

4.25/5  rDev -4.3%
Also the home of "The Brewing Network". Cool place to enjoy and beer while a live radio show is being broadcast in back.
Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Paccamacca from California

Aug 28, 2014
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Reviewed by MrDave from California

4.7/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.5
If you're east of the east bay hills and looking for a good beer joint, this is the spot to be. Hell if you live in the bar area or are visiting, with such a short walk from Concord BART, it's still worth spending some time. It seems they spared no expense on the place, offering sleek recessed coolers for bottled beers, multiple television featuring Digital Pour menus, an actual kitchen, super nice bathrooms, a gorgeous bar, and comfortable patio seating. The staff is super nice and some of them quite knowledgeable) and mostly attentive. The food's ok. The 21 taps offer great variety and some of the best beers available in our area. When The Brewing Network does a session in the recording booth, they guest (brewer usually) often has their breweries beers on tap. Sometimes some real gems show up. I've enjoyed some great pints here from Cellarmaker, Almanac, RareBarrel, and the usual suspects (FW, Stone, Faction...). My first time I here I left with bottles of BCBS that were just chilling (literally) right there in the cooler. Definitely worth spending some time here.
Jul 25, 2014
The Hop Grenade in Concord, CA
Place rating: 4.44 out of 5 with 22 ratings