Tap Handle #340: Hops Restaurant and Brewpub - Lightning Bold Gold

The Hops Restaurant and Brewpub has been responsible for producing some beautiful taps that have been high on my wish list, and this tap is no exception. I'm afraid pictures don't do it justice...it's a beauty, and heavy too! The detail and metallic coloring are excellent as well.

The Hops Restaurant and Brewpub was founded in 1989 in Clearwater, Florida by David Mason and Tom Schelldorf. When the business took off, the two opened more Florida locations, and by the mid 1990s they were up to 13 locations. In 1996 the course of growth changed for Hops when Avado Brands, Inc. formerly known as Apple South, Inc., took an interest in the fast growing concept. In 1997 Hops was bought by Apple South, Inc., and joined their family of restaurants that included Don Pablo's. Hops also was awarded with A "Hot Concept Award" presented by Nations Restaurant News. They eventually expanded to 70 locations in sixteen states, and at one time were the largest brewpub chain in the country. But overexpansion and poor beer reviews caught up with the company, and locations began to close.

In early 2008, Rita Restaurant Corp. bought all the remaining Hop restaurants from Avado Brands and still owns both Hops and Don Pablo’s corporate locations. However, Hops brewpubs continued to close until finally only one location remained in Virginia. Hops had always produced 4 core beers, and imported Czechoslovakian hops rather than using Pacific Northwest hops, while their food was made-from-scratch items such as steaks, hamburgers, seafood, and Key Lime Pie. They had even brewed their own root beer. 

In 2014, according to brewer Chris Bradford, corporate attempted to rebrand as an "Asian fusion restaurant," which removed their three top-selling items from the menu. This was a drastic departure from the American steakhouse/bistropub concept that had defined Hops since 1989. Bradford called it "practically suicide." The Alexandria location struggled onward for the next 5 years, but in 2019, it officially closed its doors for good. The brewery's remaining assets went up for auction to the general public through a partnership with Auction Nation, and the Hops Restaurant and Brewpub chain came to an end.

Lightning Bold Gold is a pale lager with a golden hue, medium body, and is a refreshing alternative to a classic lager style beer. Finished with imported Saaz Hops, Lightning Bold Gold promises a smooth finish. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 2.19 out of 5.

Source Material
Hops Website
Charlotte Beer: A History of Brewing in the Queen City by Daniel Anthony Hartis