Woodmaster
Short's Brewing Company

WoodmasterWoodmaster
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From:
Short's Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Brown Ale
Ranked #118
ABV:
9.9%
Score:
87
Ranked #16,906
Avg:
3.87 | pDev: 13.95%
Reviews:
138
Ratings:
373
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 06, 2023
Added:
Jun 29, 2007
Wants:
  55
Gots:
  62
Woodmaster is a high gravity, American Brown Ale fermented with Northern Michigan maple syrup and toasted pecans. This dark brown, full bodied ale is rich with sweet malt and syrup flavors. These flavors are complemented by the presence of hop aromas and a faint nuttiness.

24 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by sennin:
Photo of sennin
Reviewed by sennin from Michigan

2.78/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Bottled on January 2, 2012.
Poured into a pint glass on August 30, 2012

A: It's nothing special really. It is essentially what you would expect from a Brown Ale. But there is very little lacing and head retention, but I suppose that is a common trend with most of Short's brews. Even still, it is not a particularly "sticky" beer either, so the lacing doesn't really stay on the glass...a bit disappointing.

S: Not very good. I almost didn't drink this beer because of the smell alone! Sour milk is prominent scent up front with some dark chocolate, syrup, coffee, and burnt sugar like scent wavering around it. I know the beer has aged a bit, but honestly- it has hardly aged at all! Very odd smelling beer. But it isn't horribly off-putting I guess (I mean, I did still drink it).

T: This is a completely different story since the taste is actually quite alright. First taste is oddly of cherries to me with something of a coke like taste coming in a bit after. There is a subtle "nuttiness" in the background which I am sure is from the pecans. It later evolves into something of a coffee like taste. Syrup shows up much later in the tasting session but isn't prominent enough considering that it is a major ingredient in the beer. Regardless, it's a truly odd tasting beer, almost resembling a brown ale/cider fusion. Strange, but not necessarily bad.

M: Wet and silky on first taste, but quickly dries out, creating a kind of powdery feel on tongue. Bitterness is present and caresses the sides and back of the tongue. The dryness the brew leaves is a bit unpleasant though.

Overall, this beer was below average to me by Short's standards. I don't see myself buying it again anytime soon. But it may be worth trying for the odd experience it embodies alone.
Aug 30, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.82 by Whyteboar from Michigan

Mar 06, 2023
Photo of FBarber
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy dark chestnut brown color. Two finger khaki head form on the beer before receding. However a decent layer of foam remains on the beer along with lots of sticky lacing. Aroma has notes of dark fruits, maple syrup, nutty malts, brown sugar and pecans.

Taste follows the nose with notes of brown sugar, dark fruits, some pecans, maple syrup, rich malts. I cant shake a mental comparison to a Belgian Quad in the way this presents itself. Regardless its absolutely delicious and a delightful cold weather sipper. There is a clear warming sensation along with a bit of alcohol heat to it. Mild but prickly carbonation. Semi-dry finish.

Overall a unique, delightful beer.
Nov 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.42 by Grupatre from Michigan

Apr 12, 2021
 
Rated: 2.8 by BlueTomorrow from Michigan

Aug 24, 2020
Photo of dd53grif
Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan

3.94/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a semi-opaque brown with a foamy tan head that lasts quite a while. Aroma of sweet maple syrup. Tastes is sweet maple syrup with a boozy flavor. Good mouth feel.
Mar 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.67 by redleg64 from Michigan

Mar 01, 2020
 
Rated: 4.06 by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan

Feb 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.87 by Bgreedy from Michigan

Mar 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by GreenBayBA from Wisconsin

Jan 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.12 by Richter525 from Michigan

Jun 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4.42 by stadmo1 from Michigan

May 29, 2018
 
Rated: 4.66 by BigRipCity from Alaska

Mar 22, 2018
Photo of MSU_Swit
Rated by MSU_Swit from Michigan

3.44/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Started off a little boozy with heat. I let it sit too long after getting distracted. I should have kept drinking after the fresh pour.
Feb 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.18 by Isarnan from Michigan

Jan 20, 2018
Photo of Tshane
Reviewed by Tshane from Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
OMG, 3.x overall... Seriously?
This is a stunning beer, the maple dark brown red color is amazing, notes of toffee and vanilla and Maple and maybe a tiny hint of cinnamon... Even though my course palate prevents me from tasting everything the so-called experts discern, it's a stunning offering from shorts, which has many many beautiful and tasty beers.

I think unbalanced most beer drinkers love Hops and I'm an exception, I only like beers with pops of 30 or less and 25 is pushing it. This one is on the sweeter side and that's why I think it gets a much lower rating than it deserves overall. Everybody has their own taste preferences and unfortunately they rate beers higher or lower based on them and I'm no exception. So for those who like beers on the sweeter side with a little fruitiness and toffee, more like a bourbon barrel-aged whiskey, this will hit the spot.
Jan 17, 2018
 
Rated: 3.58 by Bunuelian from Minnesota

Jan 16, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by BarryMFBurton from Indiana

Jan 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 6thstreetbrewpub from District of Columbia

Jan 09, 2018
Photo of BenHoppy
Reviewed by BenHoppy from Michigan

3.69/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Ruby red cherry brown coloring reminds you of a Manhattan. Smell is cherry maple with heavy mouthfeel. Taste is cloying cherry booze that reminds me of robuttissin with mild notes of maple pecans. With some age this may improve.
Dec 31, 2017
Woodmaster from Short's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 373 ratings