Restaurant
Unclaimed profileHopCat
Grand Rapids, MI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
This original runs a long drink list that leans on house-made syrups and a deep rotating draft tower. Cocktails show real range, from a bourbon-and-blackberry Brambleberry to a rum-and-amaro Rum Away With Me, and many travel as 2GO. The beer board is a draw, with customers name-checking Founders pours. Wine and nonalcoholic options are straightforward but fairly priced.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Brambleberry, an Old Grand-Dad bourbon number with blackberry basil syrup and Fee Brothers peach bitters. For a bigger pour, the Strong Island Iced Tea layers Ketel One, Bombay Sapphire, Diplomatico Reserva, and Cointreau over house sour and cola syrup.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer-focused drinkers will find rotating drafts and familiar Founders labels; cocktail drinkers get a menu with house-made syrups and several tequila, rum, and bourbon builds. The 2GO cocktail option suits those who want the same drinks at home.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $9.25–$13.50; wine by the glass $8–$11; nonalcoholic sips $4.50–$6.50. Happy hour drops mules, meowgaritas, wine, and select drafts to $6 or less.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The original HopCat location pairs a 40-plus rotating draft selection with a cocktail list built on house-made grenadine, blackberry basil syrup, and cola syrup. Cocktails are also sold in 2GO format for takeout.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A wide cocktail list leans on house-made grenadine, syrups, and fresh citrus across vodka, bourbon, rum, tequila, and gin builds. Prices stay reasonable, and many cocktails are available for takeout in 2GO cups.
Menu strengths
- — Eight named cocktails are built with house-made grenadine, blackberry basil syrup, cola syrup, and fresh citrus.
- — Cocktails range from $9.25 to $13.50, with happy-hour mules and meowgaritas at $6.
- — 2GO takeout extends the cocktail program beyond the dining room.
Standout selections
- — Brambleberry – Old Grand-Dad bourbon, blackberry basil syrup, lemon, Fee Brothers peach bitters.
- — Strong Island Iced Tea – Ketel One, Bombay Sapphire, Diplomatico Reserva, Cointreau, house sour, cola syrup.
- — Rum Away With Me – Plantation double aged rum, Amaro Montenegro, brown sugar, strawberry syrup, lemon.
Pricing: $9.25–$13.50 on the menu; $6 happy-hour mules and meowgaritas; 2GO versions $9–$13
Wine
A compact but varied by-the-glass list spans sparkling, white, and red, with recognizable producers like Decoy and Giesen. Nothing ambitious, but the $8–$11 pricing and $6 happy-hour pour make it an easy add.
Menu strengths
- — Lists eight wines across sparkling, white, and red categories.
- — Happy hour brings any glass to $6.; Includes familiar, food-friendly labels like Decoy Chardonnay and Giesen Sauvignon Blanc.
Standout selections
- — Decoy Chardonnay – Sonoma Coast, $10.5.; Highlands 41 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Paso Robles, $11.
Pricing: $8–$11 per glass; $6 during happy hour
Beer
The draft list is the venue's stated backbone, with 40-plus rotating handles. Customers specifically mention Founders Brewing pours, including barrel-aged KBS Iced Mocha Latte, and a nonalcoholic Nonetheless option.
Menu strengths
- — Menu states 40+ rotating drafts, positioning beer as a core draw.
- — Customers name Founders Water Hazard, KBS Iced Mocha Latte, and Mortal Bloom as enjoyed pours.
Standout selections
- — Founders KBS Iced Mocha Latte – barrel-aged stout mentioned by customers.
- — Founders Water Hazard – a customer-cited Founders pour.
- — Nonetheless NA – a nonalcoholic beer noted by customers.
Pricing: Happy-hour drafts $4–$6
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated N/A Sips section offers creative alcohol-free drinks built with coffee, fruit juices, syrups, and soda. The Dirty Pop line and a coconut-blackberry quencher give teetotalers more than a generic soda.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated N/A Sips section with five named, nonalcoholic drinks.
- — Builds include house-made toasted marshmallow syrup, coconut blackberry basil syrup, and flavored sodas.
- — Prices top out at $6.50, undercutting most cocktails.
Standout selections
- — Toasted Iced Drip – farmer-direct drip coffee, caramel, toasted marshmallow syrup, cold foam.
- — Cocoberry Quencher – orange and pineapple juices, coconut blackberry basil syrup, soda water.
- — Dirty Pop – Cherry Dreamsicle – Starry with cherry syrup, vanilla syrup, and cream.
Pricing: $4.50–$6.50 for N/A Sips
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