Tap Handle #813: Blue Frog Grog and Grill

January 02, 2024

Tap Handle #813: Blue Frog Grog and Grill

Tap size: 9.5"

Rarity: less than 50 seen, small scale, brewery closed

Mounting: 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

Hoppy the Frog bronze statue

The Blue Frog Grog and Grill's tap is another addition to the Bill Gibson wing of the Museum. It's a bit of a toy on a stick, but I really like the blue frog, who is named Hoppy. A miniature representation of the huge bronze statue that resided in the brewpub (see photo inset), Hoppy wears a crown, and if you look closely, there is a jeweled ring on one toe. The words "Blue Frog" appear as signage above Hoppy. Below Hoppy is an area where a label can be placed. Labels were very simple featuring typed black text on a white background (I'll be profiling their "Big DIPA" double IPA). The shaft of the tap is just painted solid red with no additional detail, so I have only taken 1 photo of the base - it looks the same all the way around. This tap handle was first made back in 2001, not long after the brewpub started brewing beer. On the back, impressed into resin are the words "Artwork by Gary Price". There were two versions of this tap: this taller version, and a shorter "shotgun" version that is 7.5" tall. Not many of these were made; the Blue Frog Grog and Grill was only around until 2013, and though it was sold and renamed the Blue Frog Brewery, the tap had been long retired before that. While I've only seen a dozen of these on the secondary market over the years (that includes both tap sizes), it's not less than 10, so I adjusted the rarity accordingly. However, the truth is that it is hard to find and very sought after, with the last one appearing over a year ago and selling for over $200. (note: this tap should not be confused with Blue Toad, a cider tap that is styled somewhat similarly but is not very attractive.)

Blue Frog Grog and Grill was founded in Fairfield, California in 1999 by Dennis Landis. A restauranteur who had operated a Marie Callender's restaurant since 1987, Landis wanted something different from the chain restaurant and thought a brewpub that brewed it's own beer would be what he was looking for. In 1999 he opened the Blue Frog Grog and Grill next to the Marie Callender's. The restaurant’s name was inspired by the song “I’m In Love With a Big Blue Frog” sung by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. Besides the beer, the main attraction open entering was the 3-foot-tall, 300-pound bronze statue of Hops the Frog in the lobby. The restaurant called Hops the “host prince” of Blue Frog Grog and Grill. Many women upon entering who aspired to be a princess would plant a kiss on the statue of Hops while someone snapped a photo. The Blue Frog also had a "Hoppy Hour" that was very popular, especially since it was offered not just on weekdays but also on Sundays.

By 2013, Landis was ready to retire. He had closed the Marie Callender's around 2009, and put the Blue Frog Grog and Grill up for sale in early 2013. It was purchased by George Almeida, who had been the region’s Fuddruckers franchise owner for about 25 years. Almeida owned franchises in Concord, Walnut Creek, Emeryville and Union City, and though Almeida converted the Blue Frog Grog and Grill to another Fuddruckers, he continued to operate the brewery, re-branding it as the Blue Frog Brewery, and retaining the same brewmaster, Scott Macky. Landis took the bronze statue of Hops the Frog with him when he sold the business.

In 2016, the Fuddruckers restaurant and Blue Frog Brewery changed hands again. Blue Frog Brewing ceased to exist and DNA Brewing was founded by sisters Ashley Grush and Daniella Grace, who retained Blue Frog's Macky as their brewer. The location was referred to as the Blue Frog/DNA Brewing Taproom for continuity and name recognition. While DNA Brewing was highly regarded and award-winning, the Fuddruckers restaurant that the brewery was housed in began receiving consistently poor Yelp reviews starting in 2019, related to service and food quality, and it got worse during the Covid pandemic. The doors finally closed for good in 2022.

Blue Frog Grog and Grill's The Big DIPA was a monstrous version of their IPA that was overloaded with everything from the malt to the hops. This bottle conditioned Double IPA abounded with aromas of citrus hops, English toffee, and fresh baked biscuits. It had caramel notes, hoppy lovin’ and slight yeasty notes that jumped off your tongue.