Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113 18th St., Rock Island, IL 61201 phone: #309-788-8247   website: BlueCatBrewPub.com/
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Experience before you go . . .

We survived the first brewery stop at Front Street. We sampled some great beers, we discussed some fascinating topics, we talked to some genuine Midwestern folks and we did a lot of smiling, laughing, one arm neck hugs and you know what....we liked it, we really liked it, I think we'll do another!

On to the next brewery.....

Blue Cat Brew Pub was a short drive with Dano (book'em Dano) behind the wheel. We're in Dano's backyard, he's proud of his town and he knows it like the back of his hand. Little down time with getting lost on this tour. Dano navigates the streets like a seasoned Uber driver looking for a big tip. Bruce and I are yucking it up in the back seat. We arrive at Blue Cat, assemble the front sign selfie, you can see we've done this before and we head for the door. Once in we pass a hostess stand, navigate through some tables and we head right to the bar, where there's four empty bar stools with our names on'em. We're all getting comfy, we're carrying on.....being on the Hoppin' Brewery Tour with old high school friends is pretty darn cool!! Mike behind the bar is on us like white on rice, "What'cha drinking, where you guys from, cool shirts, welcome"! Dano takes charge and orders a Blue Cat flight, sampling everything they have. A six pack of 4oz beer samples is assembled and set down in a line right in front of us........let the sipping begin! Wigged Pig Wheat - American Style Wheat (5.0%, 10 IBU) light body, low bitterness, summery and refreshing. Off The Rail Pale Ale (5.3%, 15 IBU) most popular brew, well balanced malt to hop profile. Big Bad Dog Olde Ale - English Ale (6.5%, 26 IBU) award winner, full bodied with distinct caramel character and slightly sweet finish. Phil - Pale Ale (5.6%, 38 IBU) pretty basic darn good summertime ale. Coriander & Orange Ale - American Wheat Beer (5.0%, 10 IBU) brewed with fresh oranges, coriander and ginger root...good stuff! Arkham Stout (6,1%, 21 IBU) smokey, medium hop, smooth and sweet with a thick creamy head. Bruce breaks the beer mold and in true Wisconsin/Iowa style he orders a Brandy Old Fashion Sweet.....unfortunately it was made with bourbon. Bruce has a well trained palate....still pretty tasty!

This Quad Cities HBT is starting to take on a shape all its own, an actual force with an identity that lives and breathes. Four 60 year old high school friends talking and carrying on like time has stood still for the last 42 years since graduation. Granted each of our individual vessels have taken some hits and have some wear and tear. We've added payload, our engines are close to 300,000 miles, our outer shells have been beaten up, sewn up, rearranged and exposed to chemicals and ultraviolet rays, our control center circuits boards are still fully integrated but more often experience glitches but the one identifying piece of equipment or constant that has remained the same during this fascinating 42 year journey since high school.......the eyes, yes the eyes! The second you look into the eyes of a buddy you haven't seen much over the years you instantly go back in time as if you're there once again. Times like when Dano and I tipped over my dads 1964 Ford Econoline Van into a fresh 4' snow bank right outside of Devils Head Ski Resort in Baraboo, Wisconsin. And believe it or not with the help of some people driving by we were able to push it back upright and drive on down the road. Or the time we jumped into a stagnate small pond out in the middle of the forest way up north in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We both felt a little strange and quickly got out but not before several, and I mean several 2-3 inch leaches had attached themselves to our skin in every nook and cranny and we jumped around like two crazies pulling the leaches off our bodies and off each other.

The last sips of the Blue Cat flight were going down good. The four of us made eye contact and knew it was time to move on to the next brewery. As if we were 18 again (which in 1976 in Wisconsin was the legal drinking age) and heading over to Barnaby's after school for a beer and to split a pizza.

Blue Cat is a must, nice vibe and good beer!

Until next time and remember.........

Go get'cha one!!