The Cat Is Back!
Blue Cat Brew Pub, located in The District of Rock Island, was opened in 1994 by brother and sister Dan & Martha Cleveland. After an impressive 23-year run, the duo made the decision to retire. Blue Cat was revived in 2021 under new ownership led by Head Brewer, Charlie Cole, with the intention of picking up where the Clevelands left off.
With an arsenal of several hundred recipes composed of classic Blue Cat beers and Charlie’s own unique creations, the taps are often rotating with something for everyone. Come hungry as well! You’ll find a great food menu of unique items as carefully crafted as the brews. Cheers!
When you step into our Brew Pub you’ll find:
- Award Winning Craft Beers Brewed In-House
- Delicious & Unique Food
- Pool Tables and Dart Boards
- Private Event Space
History
Blue Cat Brew Pub originally opened in 1994 under the name “Crooked River Brewing” in The District of Rock Island, Illinois by brother and sister Dan & Martha Cleveland. Dan, armed with his doctorate in chemistry, learned the art of beer brewing in Colorado. During the 1990’s Blue Cat earned an impressive 15 World Beer Championship Awards.
After the Clevelands decided to retire they passed the reins to Quad Cities natives John Timmer and Shane Scott who later partnered with St. Louis transplant Charlie Cole. Charlie apprenticed under a Munich Brewmaster before earning professional brewing certificates from St. Louis University, University of Vermont, and San Diego State University. He was tenured as a brewer over 5 previous breweries and earned a few brewing awards himself (23 awards, all in 2018).
Food
Our food menu was created in collaboration between several of our owners, managers, and cooks. It’s a mix of Blue Cat classics, craft burgers, Midwest comfort food, and unique appetizers. Stop in often for our Salad of the Week, Loaded Fries of the Week, Rotating Soups (try them as a Soup Flight). Check out our monthly themed Beer Dinners as well!
Our Beer
Between almost 30 years of collective Blue Cat brewing experience you’ll find over 30 different award winning recipes in rotation with other classic styles and experiments as well.
Charlie may be known for his Wild Ales and Hazy IPA’s but you’ll always find at least 3 classic Blue Cat beers and a “yellow, beer flavored craft beer” on tap.
