Bellaire Brown Ale
Short's Brewing Company
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- From:
- Short's Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Brown Ale - American
Ranked #209 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #21,120 - Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 11.61%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 02, 2022
- Added:
- Mar 01, 2005
- Wants:
- 35
- Gots:
- 139
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
Notes:
Bellaire Brown is our flagship Brown Ale. Full-flavored with notes of sweet caramel, chocolate, and toasted malt, Bellaire Brown is balanced with a mild and earthy hop quality. This ale is dark and rich with a medium body. It’s hardly classifiable as a brown, but is certainly considered a delicious masterpiece.
Bellaire Brown was originally created to appeal to people who enjoyed drinking coffee, and to beer drinkers who are not interested in hoppy options. When Joe Short was creating the Bellaire Brown recipe, he desired a beer that was meatier and burlier than most browns. Bellaire Brown is a great gate-way beer for drinkers to be introduced to darker beer varieties.
19 IBU
Bellaire Brown was originally created to appeal to people who enjoyed drinking coffee, and to beer drinkers who are not interested in hoppy options. When Joe Short was creating the Bellaire Brown recipe, he desired a beer that was meatier and burlier than most browns. Bellaire Brown is a great gate-way beer for drinkers to be introduced to darker beer varieties.
19 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.42/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Hazy nut brown. One finger of fizzy off-white head with good retention.
Smell: Mild caramel with toasted dark malt.
Taste: Mostly a hop bitterness that lingers at the back of the throat. Light malt sweetness underneath.
Mouthfeel: Average in every way.
Overall: Nothing spectacular.
Feb 02, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Hazy nut brown. One finger of fizzy off-white head with good retention.
Smell: Mild caramel with toasted dark malt.
Taste: Mostly a hop bitterness that lingers at the back of the throat. Light malt sweetness underneath.
Mouthfeel: Average in every way.
Overall: Nothing spectacular.
Feb 02, 2022
3.38 by Eddyfunt from Michigan on Dec 27, 2021
3.92 by Meddwol from Michigan on Nov 17, 2021
4/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BigIronH from Michigan
Pours a ruby tinged brown with a finger of off white foam reducing to a full ring and spotty lacing.
aroma: roasted malts, mild bitterness, dark chocolate, raisin and brown sugar.
Taste really follows suit in a big way. Initially I get bitter dark chocolate with a sweet mid section reminiscent of burnt brown sugar. The finish in a toasted malt profile with undertones of chocolate.
Feel is full and velvety but with a decent carbonation crisp. I loved it. 4/5
Nov 13, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BigIronH from Michigan
Pours a ruby tinged brown with a finger of off white foam reducing to a full ring and spotty lacing.
aroma: roasted malts, mild bitterness, dark chocolate, raisin and brown sugar.
Taste really follows suit in a big way. Initially I get bitter dark chocolate with a sweet mid section reminiscent of burnt brown sugar. The finish in a toasted malt profile with undertones of chocolate.
Feel is full and velvety but with a decent carbonation crisp. I loved it. 4/5
Nov 13, 2021
3.81/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Manta200 from Kentucky
Single can shipped from @BigIronH
Dark brown color with a finger thick off-white head, good retention.
Aroma of caramel malts and brown sugar.
Taste follows the nose with bready notes and subtle sweetness.
I like this one, especially the aroma.
Sep 30, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Manta200 from Kentucky
Single can shipped from @BigIronH
Dark brown color with a finger thick off-white head, good retention.
Aroma of caramel malts and brown sugar.
Taste follows the nose with bready notes and subtle sweetness.
I like this one, especially the aroma.
Sep 30, 2021
3.41/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by magikbagel from Wisconsin
Dark brown color, thick fluffy head. Subtle scents of malts and even citrus. It has a very earthy flavor and somewhat dry mouthfeel. It’s not a very sweet brown ale like other’s i’ve tried, its definitely on the bitter side which I can enjoy. I get more of that toasty malt flavor on the finish.
Sep 12, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by magikbagel from Wisconsin
Dark brown color, thick fluffy head. Subtle scents of malts and even citrus. It has a very earthy flavor and somewhat dry mouthfeel. It’s not a very sweet brown ale like other’s i’ve tried, its definitely on the bitter side which I can enjoy. I get more of that toasty malt flavor on the finish.
Sep 12, 2021
3.77 by MillyLite from Michigan on Sep 04, 2021
2.92/5 rDev -23%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml bottle, shared with OleR at Olympen, Oslo. Mahogany colour, moderate beige head. Strong aroma of dark münchener and caramel malts. Sourish notes of rye bread and over-ripe fruits / berries. Sourish flavour of bread dough and rye bread with caramel. Low bitterness. Not really my cup of tea.
Apr 30, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml bottle, shared with OleR at Olympen, Oslo. Mahogany colour, moderate beige head. Strong aroma of dark münchener and caramel malts. Sourish notes of rye bread and over-ripe fruits / berries. Sourish flavour of bread dough and rye bread with caramel. Low bitterness. Not really my cup of tea.
Apr 30, 2021
3.84 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Apr 20, 2021
4 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Jan 03, 2021
3.75 by lsudduth from Ohio on Nov 28, 2020
3.81/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jeffdr123 from Florida
From a bottle, from David, from Michigan. Lots of different brown tastes including chocolate and caramel but also some roasted nuts which nudge it toward the porter side of the menu.
Nov 11, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jeffdr123 from Florida
From a bottle, from David, from Michigan. Lots of different brown tastes including chocolate and caramel but also some roasted nuts which nudge it toward the porter side of the menu.
Nov 11, 2020
3.27 by cindiwindi1025 from Michigan on Oct 28, 2020
4.14 by kkazemi from New York on Aug 29, 2020
3.92/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Deep brown colored with a half inch of creamy brown on top. Moderate lacing. The aroma is of cocoa and caramel. I’m tasting caramel and a light nutty taste. The mouth is light and refreshing.
Aug 21, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Deep brown colored with a half inch of creamy brown on top. Moderate lacing. The aroma is of cocoa and caramel. I’m tasting caramel and a light nutty taste. The mouth is light and refreshing.
Aug 21, 2020
4.53 by Vylo from New Jersey on Aug 05, 2020
3.75 by paulish from New York on Jul 14, 2020
3.98 by travelguy from Ohio on May 30, 2020
4.48/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Creevo from Michigan
Had on draft at Shanty Creek ski bar on 5-24-20. Great brown ale, very tempered versus other brown with low alcohol aftertaste which is good for the 7%. Good sippin. Would have again.
May 24, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Creevo from Michigan
Had on draft at Shanty Creek ski bar on 5-24-20. Great brown ale, very tempered versus other brown with low alcohol aftertaste which is good for the 7%. Good sippin. Would have again.
May 24, 2020
3.88 by Yendor61 from Michigan on Mar 21, 2020
4.15 by tjb27 from Minnesota on Feb 23, 2020
3.81 by WynnO from Florida on Feb 17, 2020
3.71/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by chinchill from South Carolina
12 oz can with an August 2019 canning date stamp on the bottom.
Pours with a clear, dark orange-brown body with a good beige head.
A mix of hops and malts in the nose with more obvious hops. The flavor follows, leaning slightly towards bold for style. The hops are mainly earthy and a bit herbal. Improved with warming.
Jan 31, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by chinchill from South Carolina
12 oz can with an August 2019 canning date stamp on the bottom.
Pours with a clear, dark orange-brown body with a good beige head.
A mix of hops and malts in the nose with more obvious hops. The flavor follows, leaning slightly towards bold for style. The hops are mainly earthy and a bit herbal. Improved with warming.
Jan 31, 2020
4.34/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
by EvershineDan from Michigan
Nutty sweet, sorta lite to medium-oatmeal stoutish. So close to being a porter.
Excellent brown ale. In my top 25 all-time favorite brews. On a side note, it's one the best smelling beers there is.
Dec 01, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
by EvershineDan from Michigan
Nutty sweet, sorta lite to medium-oatmeal stoutish. So close to being a porter.
Excellent brown ale. In my top 25 all-time favorite brews. On a side note, it's one the best smelling beers there is.
Dec 01, 2019
3.88/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Nass from Florida
The pour is dark brown. The taste is roasted malts, caramel, toffee & brown sugar. There is no date on the can but this is still a smooth drinking beer. Cheers! B
Nov 17, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Nass from Florida
The pour is dark brown. The taste is roasted malts, caramel, toffee & brown sugar. There is no date on the can but this is still a smooth drinking beer. Cheers! B
Nov 17, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by dd53grif from Michigan
Pours a reddish brown color with two a foamy off white head that lasts quite a while. Aroma of brown sugar, nuts, a hint of cinnamon, and some chocolate. Tastes of brown sugar, and chocolate. Nice full and balanced flavor, a quality Brown Ale.
Sep 16, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by dd53grif from Michigan
Pours a reddish brown color with two a foamy off white head that lasts quite a while. Aroma of brown sugar, nuts, a hint of cinnamon, and some chocolate. Tastes of brown sugar, and chocolate. Nice full and balanced flavor, a quality Brown Ale.
Sep 16, 2019
3.99 by mattreitz49 from Florida on Sep 08, 2019
3.72/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by spcrain from Kentucky
Beautiful brown color, fine cell foam, musty as opposed to “beer” smell. sweet caramel notes, fizzy on the tongue. A chocolate after taste. Pleasant - worth getting a case.
Aug 16, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by spcrain from Kentucky
Beautiful brown color, fine cell foam, musty as opposed to “beer” smell. sweet caramel notes, fizzy on the tongue. A chocolate after taste. Pleasant - worth getting a case.
Aug 16, 2019
3.85/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by d_hondo from Michigan
Great standby; definitely on the sweet side.
May 31, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by d_hondo from Michigan
Great standby; definitely on the sweet side.
May 31, 2019
3.77 by peritectoid from Idaho on Apr 08, 2019
3.75 by Muss42 from Michigan on Feb 15, 2019
3.75 by -Andrew- from Michigan on Jan 15, 2019
3.77 by CantankerousCaveBear from Canada (ON) on Dec 24, 2018
3.84/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Korbynlehr from Kentucky
Pours the color of cola and the nose is sweet like cola. Good tasting beer. The beer leaves a tasty after flavor that tries lightly on the palate. Like some.
Nov 15, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Korbynlehr from Kentucky
Pours the color of cola and the nose is sweet like cola. Good tasting beer. The beer leaves a tasty after flavor that tries lightly on the palate. Like some.
Nov 15, 2018
4.34/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Pratik from Michigan
Maybe i am biased towards this beer, but it’s one of my favorite. If i had to name it, i would call it nutty brown ale. I’ve tried this on draft at the Short’s brewery in Bellaire Michigan, and nothing can beat the crisp nutty flavor this beer has when served in a cold mug. I consider this as a fusion between a craft beer and a local beer. You get the craft taste, with a good taste, but you can enjoy this on a summer afternoon at a baseball game. Halfway through the glass, the beer gets to a moderate temperature, where you start tasting the sweetness of chocolate and toasty flavor. What really makes this One of my favorite is the toasty smell and not just the flavor.
Look: 4/5 serve it simple
Smell: 4.25/5 best toasty flavor
Taste: 4.5/5 taste and smell go hand in hand
Feel: 4.25/5 good for winter, good for summer
Overall: 4.25/5 i don’t review bad beers ;) must try, and must have it in the fridge
Nov 02, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Pratik from Michigan
Maybe i am biased towards this beer, but it’s one of my favorite. If i had to name it, i would call it nutty brown ale. I’ve tried this on draft at the Short’s brewery in Bellaire Michigan, and nothing can beat the crisp nutty flavor this beer has when served in a cold mug. I consider this as a fusion between a craft beer and a local beer. You get the craft taste, with a good taste, but you can enjoy this on a summer afternoon at a baseball game. Halfway through the glass, the beer gets to a moderate temperature, where you start tasting the sweetness of chocolate and toasty flavor. What really makes this One of my favorite is the toasty smell and not just the flavor.
Look: 4/5 serve it simple
Smell: 4.25/5 best toasty flavor
Taste: 4.5/5 taste and smell go hand in hand
Feel: 4.25/5 good for winter, good for summer
Overall: 4.25/5 i don’t review bad beers ;) must try, and must have it in the fridge
Nov 02, 2018
3.78/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Quackershnoc from Michigan
Appearance: fizzy khaki head that dissipates immediately; dark brown cola color
Aroma: roasty; malty; hint of chocolate and raisin
Taste: starts with dark brown bread flavor; moves into some toasty notes with caramel and a kind of milky sweetness; ends with toasted bread and hints of dark chocolate
Mouthfeel: medium-bodied; creamy; fizzy carbonation
Overall Impression: this is a good beer, not great; it's very easy drinking with pretty mild flavors; smooth and creamy
Oct 13, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Quackershnoc from Michigan
Appearance: fizzy khaki head that dissipates immediately; dark brown cola color
Aroma: roasty; malty; hint of chocolate and raisin
Taste: starts with dark brown bread flavor; moves into some toasty notes with caramel and a kind of milky sweetness; ends with toasted bread and hints of dark chocolate
Mouthfeel: medium-bodied; creamy; fizzy carbonation
Overall Impression: this is a good beer, not great; it's very easy drinking with pretty mild flavors; smooth and creamy
Oct 13, 2018
3.63 by Garyk60 from Wisconsin on Aug 28, 2018
2.5 by Coho11 from Ohio on Jul 08, 2018
3.96/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ovaltine from Indiana
A nice traditional brown ale, the look is really good - except for the head, which disappears in nanoseconds. The aromas are on point, with chocolate and caramel most prominent. Very nice.
The chocolate and caramel are also very forward on the taste, I just wish the mouthfeel was a bit fuller. Still a brown ale worthy of seekage.
Jun 29, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ovaltine from Indiana
A nice traditional brown ale, the look is really good - except for the head, which disappears in nanoseconds. The aromas are on point, with chocolate and caramel most prominent. Very nice.
The chocolate and caramel are also very forward on the taste, I just wish the mouthfeel was a bit fuller. Still a brown ale worthy of seekage.
Jun 29, 2018
3.93 by ESchweers from Michigan on May 27, 2018
Bellaire Brown Ale from Short's Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
820 ratings