It was a dark and stormy night... isn't that how all great stories start? Well this isn't a story of fiction this is a blog of truth. My wife and I had an opportunity to go to Blue Cat http://www.bluecatbrewpub.com/ with some friends for dinner. Today Blue Cat turned old enough to drink, it is now 21. Great work. Blue Cat is owned by a brother and sister team, Dan and Martha Cleaveland. Martha is the driving force behind the food and Dan is the brewmaster. I know Dan is a self taught brewer that loves to experiment. From what he told us he has some really fun and different beers he is working on. I am looking forward to tasting them soon.
Blue Cat is in a wonderful old building in "The District" of Rock Island. The District is an area in downtown Rock Island that includes restaurants, bars and a really nice brewpub. We arrived around 5:30 or so and were quickly seated at a high top table in the bar area. Our friends joined us shortly after. We perused the the beer board and I decided on a pint of Blue Bastard Baltic Porter and my wife decided on a pint of the Big Bad Dog Old English Ale.
The Baltic Porter was a dark brown with some garnet highlights with a nice creamy white head. It had a good roasty nose with a malty sweetness. In the taste I first noticed the roast, but that was supported by a touch of alcohol, 6.6 % ABV. I wish the body was a bit fuller, maybe I just like full bodied beers but I believe it would be better a bit more full bodied. Overall it is a good beer that could easily sneak up on you if decided to make it a session of sitting and drinking multiples of this beer.
The Big Dog is a local favorite. This beer is always on tap since it is their flagship beer. It always does well at local and regional fests. This is a nice malty English brown ale that is quite drinkable.
My second beer was Count Magnus Belgian Strong Ale my current favorite at Blue Cat. It checks in at 10% ABV, needless to say it is served in a 12 oz glass. This beer has little head retention and is dark brown in color. It has a wonderful malty sweet nose with lots of dark fruit as well. If you can let the beer warm and it becomes much more complex. This is a great sipping beer and can warm you up on a cold winter's day. This is a must try when you come to Blue Cat.
My wife's second beer was the Wigged Pig Wheat. It is a true American Wheat, which is not a personal favorite style of mine. This beer is light bodied, low hopped and an easy drinker. Which makes it great for a person that likes light bodied beers.
We both enjoyed our meals. I had the Whiskey Steak and My wife had the Barbecue ribs, we always find something enjoyable to eat at Blue Cat. Martha does her best to keep the menu fresh but yet keeps the favorites on the menu. The other beers currently on tap are: Off the Rail Pale Ale and Finnegan's Irish Stout, which Dan assures that it will be on tap for St. Patrick's Day!
I feel that the Quad Cities is lucky to have the Blue Cat Brewpub in the community. Dan and Martha are active in the community both are willing to help out when asked. Dan has become a great friend to our local homebrew club MUGZ, providing us a place for our annual homebrew competition for the last few years. The members of MUGZ thank you Dan.
This is a worthy brewpub that deserves a visit when you make it to the Quad Cities for a visit or for work. Do not let the lack of parking dissuade you from making it to Blue Cat. This summer there is a plan to grow their own hops in the lot behind the brewpub and to hopefully have some hops for a Harvest Ale. Yum!
QC Beerguy
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