HopCat Detroit

I checked #hopcatdetroit on Instagram someone posted they were number 82 and showed up at 8:30. Another post was 129 and that was from an hour ago.

 

Thinking of heading down at 1 or 2. How crazy is it? Can I get in?

 

At 11:45 I'd say there was about 150 people in line. It was moving, but I suppose moving is a relative term. We decided to check out Punch Bowl instead.

 

Just drove by on my way to green dot and there's a few hundred in line for sure

 

For tonight, I feel you made the better choice.

 

Went in with low expectations of getting in being I was not willing to wait in line and now I feel a bit remorseful that I wasn't willing to do so. Nonetheless I've been able to enjoy some excellent Shorts beers and toast a shot to the namesake of the recently departed Bill Bonds. RIP.

 

Two friends and I got in line around 8-8:30am. The wait went by fairly quick and once you got in it felt great, we got in around 11:20am.

They let you try shot glass samples for $1 with a limit of two samples, otherwise you had to get a full pour.

Between my friends and a guy from another table I got to taste 15 different Short specialities.

Beers I tasted(In no particular order):
Bourbon Carrot Cake (1st full pour)
Bourbon Ben's Asthma (2nd full pour)
Thimbleberry Crush
Bim Bam Boom
Pig Pen
Chocolate Pretzel Stout
OMGWTFBBQ
Loyalty Ale
Jitterbug Perfume
It's About Thyme
Gitchy Gitchy Ooh La La
Hellacious Rock
Stache Bender
Anniversary Ale '08
Peaches N' Cream

Bourbon Ben's Asthma was my #1, really good stuff! KBS comes to mind.
Chocolate Pretzel Stout & OMGWTFBBQ were a miss for me, everything else was good.
Gitchy Gitchy Ooh La La had a surprisingly fresh cucumber taste, would try that again.

Overall, I felt like everything went stellar.

 

Just want to comment on how well the Hopcat opening went. Got in line around 8:30 and got my hand marked being number 74 in line. Got my card for free crack fries about 10 minutes before the doors opened. Once the doors opened, I got a spot at the downstairs bar. For a grand opening, the staff was on top of things and did not seem stressed. I ordered an olive burger (yum) and was quite surprised when it came out in what seemed like 10 minutes. I double checked to see that I had only drank about a quarter of my beer while waiting. Crack fries were given away readily. Had to turn down an offer that would have been my third serving.

Saw Joe Short shmoozing with people. Wanted to say hi, but he seemed to be a bit in demand. He seems to be a really down to earth guy. My only regret is that they didn't serve 120 half ounce samples

Great job Hopcat and Shorts. Since I work a short distance away, expect to see me back quite often.

 

I had a number of great beers. Wait was an abysmal 4 hours or so. 3 outside, then a little over an hour waiting for a table to open up, which wound up being in the Huma Room. Wound up leaving just after six. I would have stayed longer, but we headed out.

Had some incredible beers. The food was what I expected from Hopcat, the service was surprisingly good and efficient, etc. Awesome place... I prefer it to the one in Grand Rapids by a decent margin.

I was super happy that when we got in (I think it was at about 3) it seemed like only one keg was blown, so I basically got to try everything I wanted.

The wait absolutely blew, but it was kind of almost surprisingly actually worth it. I should have dressed warmer, but it was awesome.

 

I had a great time. Really enjoyed the beers I had, especially I got 5 on it & swirl stout. Can't thank the shorts guys enough for taking care of me & my wife. i give credit to those who waited, I don't have the patience to do it.

 

I think I saw you there but I wasn't sure enough that it was you to say anything. Did you sit downstairs near the windows by the bar?

 

Yes. Should have said hi, I'd of bought you a beer!

 

Didn't wanna make an ass out of myself if it was some lookalike!

Was a great day/night though. Insane tap list.

 

I totally get it, but I did have my Boatworks shirt on lol. Dead giveaway

 

Well shit if I had noticed that.

 

heading there sunday. Wonder what will be on. Is anybody adding this to PLACES?

 

Have some work people in from out of state tonight and was thinking about taking em down there for a few...any idea if I should expect a wait again?

If anyone finds their way down there this evening and could report on how full the bar is it'd be very much appreciated.

 

I was unfortunately out of town for the opening (and once again this weekend as well).

Video from Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/media/cinematic/video/20361199/

 

I was in line about 5-10 people behind the girls interviewed at the end of that video. Funny story - they showed up about an hour after us and cut infront of 100+ people to be up with their friends to get the year of free crack fries. They kept talking about how they were still soooooo hammered from the night before and proceeded to drink a bunch of vodka and OJ while we waited outside.

Classy.

 

Sounds like what happened to me at 4elf. Maybe they're related...