HopCat was founded in 2008 by BarFly Ventures in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has received many accolades and awards, including being named third-best beer bar in the world by Beer Advocate Magazine. HopCat – East Lansing will be the second HopCat location.On opening day, all guests will also be treated to free orders of HopCat’s famous Crack Fries.
The first 200 patrons in the doors at the 11 a.m. opening will be awarded with a free order of Crack Fries every week for a year.
HopCat, 300 Grove St., and Short’s have been working for months to develop and produce the 100 varieties of Short’s beers that will take over the 100-tap system. The record-breaking feat will surpass the previous record set by Sierra Nevada and Cannery Row Brewing Co. in California in 2012.
“We wanted to launch HopCat – East Lansing with a bang by doing something unique that no one has ever done before,” said Mark Sellers, owner of BarFly Ventures and a Michigan State University alumnus. “This partnership with Short’s, another Michigan company that makes some of the world’s most creative beers, is a reflection of our commitment to supporting Michigan breweries.”
“Working with HopCat to attempt this record has been one of the most exciting challenges we’ve accepted at Short’s,” said Joe Short, founder ofShort’s Brewing Co. “We’ve brought out all of our year-round brews, some seasonal favorites and an amazing selection of some new, experimental recipes that guests will be able to try for the first time.”
HopCat – East Lansing will add a variety of other draft selections from Michigan brewers following the event. With 100 craft beers on tap year-round, it will offer the largest draft selection in the state. HopCat – East Lansing will have a 270-person dining capacity. The brewpub will create more than 75 new jobs, for both students and local residents, upon opening.
About BarFly Ventures:
BarFly Ventures was founded by Grand Rapids native Mark Sellers as a holding company for his pubs. BarFly’s flagship establishment, HopCat, opened in 2008 and has been named among the country’s best beer bars by Beer Advocate magazine, RateBeer.com and CraftBeer.com. In 2012 GQ magazine declared the burger at BarFly’s Stella's Lounge as the “Best Burger in America.” In December 2012, BarFly opened the state’s first all-organic brewery, Grand Rapids Brewing Co., in downtown Grand Rapids. In August 2013, Barfly will open HopCat – East Lansing.
About Short’s Brewing Co.:
In April of 2004, Short’s Brewing Company opened its doors in the quaint village of Bellaire, MI. Beer was the mission, liberation was the movement. The philosophy was (and continues to be) to bring an appreciation of craft beer to Michigan with product education and creativity. Nine years later, Short's is the fourth largest craft beer producer in the state of Michigan with bottle and keg distribution throughout the Great Lakes State. Believing in the power of the smallness, Short's plans to continue focusing its energies close to home and supporting what it calls the "SBC Michigan Stimulus Package". www.shortsbrewing.com
