The Devil’s Bloody at The Hop Cat - Lincoln, NE

The late great Flip Wilson had a trademark motto that transcended racial lines; “The devil made me do it!”  Old scratch has been making mankind do things well, since time began.  And, my recent trip to America’s heartland was no exception.

Just Southwest of the College Baseball World Series lies a little town best known for its commanding football team with the white N on their helmets. And, as I came to find out, the Cornhuskers love a new brew-pub called the Hop Cat.  Before I begin, the Hop Cat is a chain.  UGH, I hear the groans.  I know, I know.  But, this is no ordinary global chain.  First of all, they make soil, not trash.  As their website claims, “We're serious about our role as conscientious business owners, constantly looking for ways we can be better stewards of our environment. We recycle or compost most of our waste, reducing the amount of trash going to landfills and incinerators by 90 percent."

The Hop Cat, despite it’s chain-to-fame category, delivers some outstanding food and over 130 craft beers, ON TAP!  This may be as close to craft-beer heaven as mortal man can get. But, craft beer was not on my mind tonight.  I was determined to tackle the infamous Devil’s Bloody.  As, bartender Katee Sapenko, describes it; “tastes like cool lava.”  Cool Lava?  Oh yeah, this bloody is just shy of breaking the limits of the Scoville Scale.  If you can get past the cayenne pepper and celery salt rim, your taste buds will be greeted with a splash of the Hop Cat’s house Lava-Sauce and bloody mix of horse-radish, celery salt, dill, worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and a splash of oatmeal porter craft beer.  If that wasn’t enough, as you reach the depths of hell where The Devil settles, you are greeted with Kinkader’s Devil’s Gap Jalapeno Ale!  Although nearing a fiery death, I pushed through and finished The Devil.  Once regaining consciousness, I screamed for Hop Cat manager Jessica Wilcox to rescue me with her best Cornhusker EMT procedure.  Jess came to the rescue with a cooling Apricot Hefeweizen, ahhhhh….

Why go:  Crack Fries and The Devil’s Bloody, $6.50

HopCat
601 P. STREET, LINCOLN, NE 68508 CORNER OF P & CANOPY
Lincoln, NE 68508
p: 402-971-0700

MON-THURS 11AM-MID
FRIDAY 11AM-2AM
SAT 10A-2A
SUN 10A-MID

About The Author

Scott Moore is a 4th generation Texan. Retired from corporate life, he now spends his time as CEO of InsideOut Management Group representing music and fine artists, athletes, and the professional outdoorsman. Find out more at www.insideoutmanagementgroup.com