HopCat Detroit to open November 15 with free concert by Pitch Blak Brass Band, world record tap takeover by Short’s Brewing Co. First 200 customers to receive free Crack Fries for a year, all grand opening visitors get free order of famously addictive fries
DETROIT, Aug. 20, 2014 – BarFly Ventures announced plans to launch Detroit’s largest beer bar and its newest entertainment venue with a free concert by the highly acclaimed Pitchblak Brass Band and a world-record tap takeover by Bellaire based Short’s Brewing Company.
The takeover event will begin at 11 a.m. with at least 101 different varieties of Short’s beers – breaking Short’s own previous world record of 100 different beers available at HopCat East Lansing’s opening in 2013. The first 200 customers (ages 21 and up) in line prior to opening will receive a card good for a free order HopCat’s famous Crack Fries every week for a year. Everyone who visits on the day of the grand opening will receive a free order of Crack Fries.
To commemorate the launch of Detroit’s newest entertainment venue, HopCat Detroit will welcome Brooklyn-based Pitchblak Brass Band for a special free show on its second floor, which holds up to 400 guests during concerts. Pitchblak is a 10-piece hip-hop brass band that has played The Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Bowl, Le Poisson Rouge and Toronto’s NXNE Music Festival, among others.
“HopCat Detroit’s opening will be our biggest yet, so we wanted to pull out all the stops and throw a party no one will soon forget,” said Mark Sellers, founder of HopCat.
“Short’s Brewing Company’s ability to come up with more than 100 incredibly interesting beers, breaking its own record for most beers from one brewery ever available in one place, shows the genius of Joe Short and his entire team,” Sellers said. “Pitchblak’s performance will bring another level of genius to HopCat. When I saw them perform in Savannah, Georgia earlier this year, I knew they’d be the perfect band to christen what I hope will become one of Detroit’s most eclectic music and entertainment venues.”
Short’s set a new world record for most beers on tap from one brewery, 100 varieties, during HopCat East Lansing’s grand opening on Aug. 22, 2013.
“Our goal with these tap takeovers isn’t just to set another record,” said Joe Short, founder of Short’s Brewing Company. “We are out to create more than 100 unique, interesting beers that challenge us and provide a truly unique taste experience for those who drink them.”
HopCat is currently booking acts for shows after Nov. 15. Details of the music venue are available at hopcat.com/detroit. Bands interested in playing HopCat Detroit are encouraged to email bands.detroit@hopcat.com for more information.
Like all BarFly Ventures establishments, HopCat — Detroit will implement an extensive composting and recycling program that will divert more than 90 percent of the waste it generates from landfills and incinerators.
About HopCat
Founded in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2008, HopCat is the flagship brand of BarFly Ventures, a restaurant and bar company with a portfolio that also includes Stella’s Lounge, Grand Rapids Brewing Co. and McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon. HopCat is a destination for locals, tourists and beer fanatics alike, earning international accolades as such as: “No. 3 Beer Bar on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate Magazine, “No. 2 Beer Bar in America” by CraftBeer.com and “No. 1 Brewpub in the United States” by RateBeer.com. HopCat East Lansing opened in August 2013 followed by the August 2014 opening of HopCat Broad Ripple, Indiana’s largest craft beer bar. HopCat Detroit will open with 130 draft lines and a live music venue in the heart of Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood on November 15, followed by HopCat Ann Arbor in January 2015. Visit www.hopcat.com for more information.
About Short’s Brewing Company
Based in Bellaire, Mich., Short’s Brewing Co. is Northern Michigan’s largest craft brewery. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2014, Short’s is known across the nation for creating some of the most bold, flavorful and interesting beers. Despite its national profile and rapid growth, Short’s remains committed to being a Michigan only brewery. Visit www.shortsbrewing.com for more information.
