Short's Pandemonium Pale Ale | Short's Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Short's Brewing Company
Michigan, United States | website
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.40%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
This blessed, coppered colored ale lends its hue to hearty pale ale malts and hand selected specialty grains. Glacier hops balance the wort resulting in hoppy, and earthy flavors which compliment the core beer base.
49 I.B.U.s
12.8 deg. Plato
5.4% A.B.V.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 09-19-2004
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 229 | Ratings: 542
4.25/5 rDev +17.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Part of a flight at the brewpub. It wasn't especially memorable, but it was a solid example of the style. I'd drink it again if given the opportunity as it had enough hop to suit my tastes.
★ 189 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Part of a flight at the brewpub. It wasn't especially memorable, but it was a solid example of the style. I'd drink it again if given the opportunity as it had enough hop to suit my tastes.
★ 189 characters
4.21/5 rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours hazy gold under a ½” white foam collar. S: Light fruit, light malt. T: Fruit up front with peach and plum over a mellow malt backbone and a balancing hop bitterness. F: Medium body and carbonation. O: A very pleasant pale ale.
★ 239 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours hazy gold under a ½” white foam collar. S: Light fruit, light malt. T: Fruit up front with peach and plum over a mellow malt backbone and a balancing hop bitterness. F: Medium body and carbonation. O: A very pleasant pale ale.
★ 239 characters
3.7/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
(Served in a Nonic)
A- This beer pours a crystal clear toffee color with strands of microbubbles supporting a beige head that is a touch sticky.
S- The toasted biscuit malt notes are dry with a green cinnamon hop finish and some field corn hints in the finish.
T- The toasted biscuit malt blends with a citrus hop notes and some green herbal pungent hops linger after each sip. The finish is slightly dry.
M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a good fizz that compliments the pungency of the hops.
O- The toasted biscuit malt is nice but it is really big and doesn't have much support from other malt so it gets to be to much after half a glass.
★ 655 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
(Served in a Nonic)
A- This beer pours a crystal clear toffee color with strands of microbubbles supporting a beige head that is a touch sticky.
S- The toasted biscuit malt notes are dry with a green cinnamon hop finish and some field corn hints in the finish.
T- The toasted biscuit malt blends with a citrus hop notes and some green herbal pungent hops linger after each sip. The finish is slightly dry.
M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a good fizz that compliments the pungency of the hops.
O- The toasted biscuit malt is nice but it is really big and doesn't have much support from other malt so it gets to be to much after half a glass.
★ 655 characters
3/5 rDev -17.4%
9-5-14. Bottle. Boston shaker.
A: Pours a crystal clear pale copper. 1/8" off-white head fades to a thin cap (a gentle pour as to avoid disturbing sediment). Lots of small-bubble carbonation. Average lacing
S: Malty & fruity. Fruit is subdued and sweet. Strawberry; hints of resin. Slight waft of alcohol.
T: Semi-dry arrival; turns sweet-ish & resiny across mid palate. Very firm, but not overpowering bitterness at the end. Slight touch of alcohol.
M: Hefty. Mid-to-full bodied. Lots of carbonation, but not overdone.
O: A good, but not great, APA. Nice balance, but missing that certain "something."
★ 616 characters
9-5-14. Bottle. Boston shaker.
A: Pours a crystal clear pale copper. 1/8" off-white head fades to a thin cap (a gentle pour as to avoid disturbing sediment). Lots of small-bubble carbonation. Average lacing
S: Malty & fruity. Fruit is subdued and sweet. Strawberry; hints of resin. Slight waft of alcohol.
T: Semi-dry arrival; turns sweet-ish & resiny across mid palate. Very firm, but not overpowering bitterness at the end. Slight touch of alcohol.
M: Hefty. Mid-to-full bodied. Lots of carbonation, but not overdone.
O: A good, but not great, APA. Nice balance, but missing that certain "something."
★ 616 characters
3.64/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
For a pale ale this beer surprised me- present with soft golden colors and a hint of orange present in pale ale's, a very light carbonation charectarized this beer for me. Certainly a good beer for the summertime - not much hoppiness in the brew. A strong appley taste. would reccomend this beer.
★ 296 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
For a pale ale this beer surprised me- present with soft golden colors and a hint of orange present in pale ale's, a very light carbonation charectarized this beer for me. Certainly a good beer for the summertime - not much hoppiness in the brew. A strong appley taste. would reccomend this beer.
★ 296 characters
3.25/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
when this was poured, it has a orangish color body with a small head that quckly lays down to a ring of lace. The smell has a earthy hop and malt aroma to it. The taste has a pine taste up front, and followed by a hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is smooth and leaves a slight bitterness on the tonuge. Overall this is a slightly above average pale ale.
★ 350 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
when this was poured, it has a orangish color body with a small head that quckly lays down to a ring of lace. The smell has a earthy hop and malt aroma to it. The taste has a pine taste up front, and followed by a hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is smooth and leaves a slight bitterness on the tonuge. Overall this is a slightly above average pale ale.
★ 350 characters
2.96/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Appearance: Slightly hazy, copper color with one finger of head that fades quickly to a ring.
Aroma: Toasted malt, grain husk, a little catty, faint earthy hops and tortilla chip, strangely enough.
Taste: Some biscuity malt upfront and a dull bitterness throughout; body is on the thin side of medium. Some graininess and dishrag on the back end. Bitterness lingers on through the finish.
The Rest: Picked this up on a recent trip to MI to try something new. Probably wouldn't bother with it again. Reminds me of a mediocre home brew - you can tell what they were after but it's just not right.
★ 597 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Appearance: Slightly hazy, copper color with one finger of head that fades quickly to a ring.
Aroma: Toasted malt, grain husk, a little catty, faint earthy hops and tortilla chip, strangely enough.
Taste: Some biscuity malt upfront and a dull bitterness throughout; body is on the thin side of medium. Some graininess and dishrag on the back end. Bitterness lingers on through the finish.
The Rest: Picked this up on a recent trip to MI to try something new. Probably wouldn't bother with it again. Reminds me of a mediocre home brew - you can tell what they were after but it's just not right.
★ 597 characters
3.63/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured into pilsner glass
A-amber color with little haze head white that dissipates
S-aromas of caramel malt and hint of pine
T-bitter pine taste and strong malt
M-medium body, good carbonation but has a resiney after bite
O-good appearance and smell better taste
★ 264 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured into pilsner glass
A-amber color with little haze head white that dissipates
S-aromas of caramel malt and hint of pine
T-bitter pine taste and strong malt
M-medium body, good carbonation but has a resiney after bite
O-good appearance and smell better taste
★ 264 characters
3.6/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pandemonium Pale Ale is only as sinister looking as the cartoonish devil on its label. In other words, not at all. It has the gentle golden colour of dawn and the near pristine clarity of turquoise Caribbean water. It would get a better score if only its head could sustain itself.
Glacier hops can be used in a bittering or aromatic role and this recipe utilizes them for both ends. As the saying goes: jack of all trades, king of none; Pandemonium smells hoppy but isn't particularly resinous, citric or herbal. It's just feebly, generically hoppy.
Though it spotlights American hops, this Pale Ale is distinguished by its malts. There's a load of biscuity flavour and wholesome breadiness in the taste. It has a very clean grain bill which provides a tease of sweetness on the finish and suits the beer's soft water profile.
Short's has become notorious for producing multitudes of unique, often zany experiments but this beer is about as ubiquitous and conventional as they come in the craft market. There's a reason for this, mind you - it's super approachable but also offers far more (and far better) flavour than commercial lagers. I'd take one bottle of this over a year's supply of swill.
"Behold the bitter hysteria" is an odd trademark for a beer with only 36 IBUs. The truth is that Pandemonium Pale Ale is actually a calm, balanced offering - there's no reason for fervor or frenzy here. This is just your run-of-the-mill, tried-and-true Pale Ale that's designed for casual quaffing.
★ 1,505 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pandemonium Pale Ale is only as sinister looking as the cartoonish devil on its label. In other words, not at all. It has the gentle golden colour of dawn and the near pristine clarity of turquoise Caribbean water. It would get a better score if only its head could sustain itself.
Glacier hops can be used in a bittering or aromatic role and this recipe utilizes them for both ends. As the saying goes: jack of all trades, king of none; Pandemonium smells hoppy but isn't particularly resinous, citric or herbal. It's just feebly, generically hoppy.
Though it spotlights American hops, this Pale Ale is distinguished by its malts. There's a load of biscuity flavour and wholesome breadiness in the taste. It has a very clean grain bill which provides a tease of sweetness on the finish and suits the beer's soft water profile.
Short's has become notorious for producing multitudes of unique, often zany experiments but this beer is about as ubiquitous and conventional as they come in the craft market. There's a reason for this, mind you - it's super approachable but also offers far more (and far better) flavour than commercial lagers. I'd take one bottle of this over a year's supply of swill.
"Behold the bitter hysteria" is an odd trademark for a beer with only 36 IBUs. The truth is that Pandemonium Pale Ale is actually a calm, balanced offering - there's no reason for fervor or frenzy here. This is just your run-of-the-mill, tried-and-true Pale Ale that's designed for casual quaffing.
★ 1,505 characters
3.89/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Amber, slightly hazy, ¼ inch head dissipates quickly
S: Very subtle aroma. Hard to distinguish notes, but maybe apricot with a hint of pine
T: Distinct malt sweetness but not overpowering to start, then dries out completely in the end. It is a very unique and pleasant taste experience. Some hop flavor, but I cannot distinguish particular notes. Bitterness is noticeable throughout without any harshness
M: Nice sparkle from the carbonation, but as with taste, the drying out at the end is unique and enjoyable
O: Very nice pale ale with interesting aftertaste and mouthfeel. I would seek this out again next time I get to Michigan
★ 640 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Amber, slightly hazy, ¼ inch head dissipates quickly
S: Very subtle aroma. Hard to distinguish notes, but maybe apricot with a hint of pine
T: Distinct malt sweetness but not overpowering to start, then dries out completely in the end. It is a very unique and pleasant taste experience. Some hop flavor, but I cannot distinguish particular notes. Bitterness is noticeable throughout without any harshness
M: Nice sparkle from the carbonation, but as with taste, the drying out at the end is unique and enjoyable
O: Very nice pale ale with interesting aftertaste and mouthfeel. I would seek this out again next time I get to Michigan
★ 640 characters
3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The color's about an even copper, clear with the slightest chill haze that clears up. It ends up being translucent due to the darker color. A light tan head gets as high as one finger and takes time to drop to a full thick foam that keeps stable. Plentious patching sticks creamily and thickly to the glass. It leaves some bubbling in a way I've never seen before.
The hop bouquet is a little unfamiliar. It's citrusy with a bit of sweeter fruits, balanced by toasty buttered biscuit, caramel and a bit of nut. The strength fades in and out.
Citrus with both sweetness and tart zest come out up front on the tongue, with floral and almost minty additions. The hops are strongest, but it is well balanced by the malts. The nuttiness comes out into the finish, while it starts off on an earthier note.
The body is medium and there's a good smoothness under a big crisp bite.
★ 872 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The color's about an even copper, clear with the slightest chill haze that clears up. It ends up being translucent due to the darker color. A light tan head gets as high as one finger and takes time to drop to a full thick foam that keeps stable. Plentious patching sticks creamily and thickly to the glass. It leaves some bubbling in a way I've never seen before.
The hop bouquet is a little unfamiliar. It's citrusy with a bit of sweeter fruits, balanced by toasty buttered biscuit, caramel and a bit of nut. The strength fades in and out.
Citrus with both sweetness and tart zest come out up front on the tongue, with floral and almost minty additions. The hops are strongest, but it is well balanced by the malts. The nuttiness comes out into the finish, while it starts off on an earthier note.
The body is medium and there's a good smoothness under a big crisp bite.
★ 872 characters
3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
poured 12oz bottle into snifter
A - Kind of an orange amber hue and a white 2 finger head. Retention and lacing are minimal.
S - Earthy, floral hops with some orange or tangerine notes. Good malts with caramel and sweet roll.
T - Starts off with orange or tangerine hops that have a erthiness to them. Quickly followed by some pine and then the sweet malts take over. Caramel and sweet roll. Finishes with a pine and orange bitter.
M - A nice medium body presumably from the malts and low carbonation. Slick mouth feel.
O - A different take on a pale ale. Fun to try since it only appears in Madison, WI during the GTMW.
★ 628 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
poured 12oz bottle into snifter
A - Kind of an orange amber hue and a white 2 finger head. Retention and lacing are minimal.
S - Earthy, floral hops with some orange or tangerine notes. Good malts with caramel and sweet roll.
T - Starts off with orange or tangerine hops that have a erthiness to them. Quickly followed by some pine and then the sweet malts take over. Caramel and sweet roll. Finishes with a pine and orange bitter.
M - A nice medium body presumably from the malts and low carbonation. Slick mouth feel.
O - A different take on a pale ale. Fun to try since it only appears in Madison, WI during the GTMW.
★ 628 characters
3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: copper color. fairly hazy but not opaque. small tannish head that leaves a touch of lacing behind
Smell: fruity. some earthiness.
Taste: toasty malts. earthy hops. some fruitiness, some lemon.
Mouthfeel: fairly light, low bitterness.
Overall: its good. just not quite what i look for in a pale ale, but its pretty good. what else can you expect from shorts. good but just not what i craved in a pale at the time
★ 430 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: copper color. fairly hazy but not opaque. small tannish head that leaves a touch of lacing behind
Smell: fruity. some earthiness.
Taste: toasty malts. earthy hops. some fruitiness, some lemon.
Mouthfeel: fairly light, low bitterness.
Overall: its good. just not quite what i look for in a pale ale, but its pretty good. what else can you expect from shorts. good but just not what i craved in a pale at the time
★ 430 characters
3.42/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass
a. Translucent orange-amber, half finger head disappears rather quickly, light lacing traces left behind.
s: Mildly fruity.
t: Bright and fresh with grapefruit-hop bitterness without the grapefruit flavor .
m: Light with tongue-tingling bitterness.
o: A good summer brew, a sort of ale-IPA hybrid. Or maybe a darker-tinted IPA.
★ 384 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass
a. Translucent orange-amber, half finger head disappears rather quickly, light lacing traces left behind.
s: Mildly fruity.
t: Bright and fresh with grapefruit-hop bitterness without the grapefruit flavor .
m: Light with tongue-tingling bitterness.
o: A good summer brew, a sort of ale-IPA hybrid. Or maybe a darker-tinted IPA.
★ 384 characters
3.8/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
bottle into pint glass
appearance: darker orange/amber with huge foamy white head
smell: earthy hops, resin, wheat, hay, citrus, lemon, grass
taste: follows the nose with an earthy hop bitterness without too much flavor complexity. however it's very drinkable, very down to earth beer that you can drink without much thought. Notes of rye, breadiness, while being slightly on the watery side.
mouthfeel: not much carbonation, feels like a macro lager
overall: not my favorite pale ale, but a very decent highly drinkable one. I would buy this again but not seek it out, it's a great pale ale but nothing super special. I could session this.
★ 645 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
bottle into pint glass
appearance: darker orange/amber with huge foamy white head
smell: earthy hops, resin, wheat, hay, citrus, lemon, grass
taste: follows the nose with an earthy hop bitterness without too much flavor complexity. however it's very drinkable, very down to earth beer that you can drink without much thought. Notes of rye, breadiness, while being slightly on the watery side.
mouthfeel: not much carbonation, feels like a macro lager
overall: not my favorite pale ale, but a very decent highly drinkable one. I would buy this again but not seek it out, it's a great pale ale but nothing super special. I could session this.
★ 645 characters
3.76/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A - This ale pours a dark pumpkin orange with a thin white head that laces quickly but the rim has some serious retention. Scant amounts of carbonation available.
S - sharply hoppy without hop-bombiness, poignant but not strong, a malty backbone provides support but doesn't particularly add to the aroma
T - The hops pick up in the taste, at least initially. The first tongue splash makes you think this beer is going the (D)IPA route, but just for a split second. The hops plateau and the malt creeps up and balances ideally.
M&D&O - quite drinkable, the elements bland nicely, especially as it warms a bit. Blithely complex, with no pretension. A well crafted beer. Shorts...PLEASE COME TO NEW ENGLAND PERMANENTLY!!!
★ 725 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A - This ale pours a dark pumpkin orange with a thin white head that laces quickly but the rim has some serious retention. Scant amounts of carbonation available.
S - sharply hoppy without hop-bombiness, poignant but not strong, a malty backbone provides support but doesn't particularly add to the aroma
T - The hops pick up in the taste, at least initially. The first tongue splash makes you think this beer is going the (D)IPA route, but just for a split second. The hops plateau and the malt creeps up and balances ideally.
M&D&O - quite drinkable, the elements bland nicely, especially as it warms a bit. Blithely complex, with no pretension. A well crafted beer. Shorts...PLEASE COME TO NEW ENGLAND PERMANENTLY!!!
★ 725 characters
3.7/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - clear, golden yellow with a nice two finger head
Smell - extremely hoppy with a hint of floral notes
Taste - dry and bitter with a hint of floral
Mouthfeel - very low carbonation and dry mouth
Overall - this was my first american pale ale and was a great beer to start with. Would like some more fruity or floral taste, but the typical hops with bitterness was sufficient for an above average score
★ 415 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - clear, golden yellow with a nice two finger head
Smell - extremely hoppy with a hint of floral notes
Taste - dry and bitter with a hint of floral
Mouthfeel - very low carbonation and dry mouth
Overall - this was my first american pale ale and was a great beer to start with. Would like some more fruity or floral taste, but the typical hops with bitterness was sufficient for an above average score
★ 415 characters
4.18/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This was the first beer I have had from Short's Brewing Company and I was very impressed. The appearance was amber colored and murky. The smell or aroma was fruity and specifically cherry flavored. The mouth feel was very light and refreshing. The flavor has hoppy with fruit notes. This was a great beer overall.
★ 313 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This was the first beer I have had from Short's Brewing Company and I was very impressed. The appearance was amber colored and murky. The smell or aroma was fruity and specifically cherry flavored. The mouth feel was very light and refreshing. The flavor has hoppy with fruit notes. This was a great beer overall.
★ 313 characters
3.72/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another Short's brew that my dad picked up while in Michigan recently. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my tulip glass.
A - An intentionally vigorous pour results in a blossoming two-and-a-half finger white head that sits proudly atop a honey-hued base. Retention is good and offers promises of substantial lacing to come.
S - Decent amounts of hops of the orange and grassy varieties, with a bit of earthiness or nuttiness. A relatively heavy malt backbone for a pale ale plays a significant supporting role.
T - Caramel malts and hops are fairly balanced here, with a lingering sweet aftertaste that is reminiscent of honey. I definitely feel that the hops are taking more of a backseat than I was anticipating in this one.
M - Low on the carbonation, but with a fuller mouthfeel than expected. Very drinkable, despite bitterness that expands throughout the bottle.
O - Not your typical pale ale, largely due to the different malt profile. Don't go into this one expecting your typical pale ale, but approach it with an open mind and I think you will be more satisfied.
★ 1,076 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another Short's brew that my dad picked up while in Michigan recently. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my tulip glass.
A - An intentionally vigorous pour results in a blossoming two-and-a-half finger white head that sits proudly atop a honey-hued base. Retention is good and offers promises of substantial lacing to come.
S - Decent amounts of hops of the orange and grassy varieties, with a bit of earthiness or nuttiness. A relatively heavy malt backbone for a pale ale plays a significant supporting role.
T - Caramel malts and hops are fairly balanced here, with a lingering sweet aftertaste that is reminiscent of honey. I definitely feel that the hops are taking more of a backseat than I was anticipating in this one.
M - Low on the carbonation, but with a fuller mouthfeel than expected. Very drinkable, despite bitterness that expands throughout the bottle.
O - Not your typical pale ale, largely due to the different malt profile. Don't go into this one expecting your typical pale ale, but approach it with an open mind and I think you will be more satisfied.
★ 1,076 characters
3.72/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle was poured into a standard glass that was the only thing available in this condo.
Appearance: This beer poured a minimal head that has reduced to a thin layer. It is a copper color with great clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass. Some lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.
Smell: Fruity, caramel and bready malts, and citrus hops.
Taste: Pretty standard pale ale. The bready and caramel malts balance out the citrus flavors and tingly hop bitterness. The glacier hops are nice.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, tingly bitterness, medium bodied, medium carbonation, a little dry, and easy to drink.
Overall: Pretty nice pale ale. I enjoyed this one a lot.
★ 674 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle was poured into a standard glass that was the only thing available in this condo.
Appearance: This beer poured a minimal head that has reduced to a thin layer. It is a copper color with great clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass. Some lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.
Smell: Fruity, caramel and bready malts, and citrus hops.
Taste: Pretty standard pale ale. The bready and caramel malts balance out the citrus flavors and tingly hop bitterness. The glacier hops are nice.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, tingly bitterness, medium bodied, medium carbonation, a little dry, and easy to drink.
Overall: Pretty nice pale ale. I enjoyed this one a lot.
★ 674 characters
3.5/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
No head on a murky brownish orange body. Orange peel, earthy hops, hint of lemon aroma. Flavor is more resiny and metallic with hints of orange and lemon citrus. Pretty simple overall and borderline drinkability. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Not much to say about this one.
★ 290 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
No head on a murky brownish orange body. Orange peel, earthy hops, hint of lemon aroma. Flavor is more resiny and metallic with hints of orange and lemon citrus. Pretty simple overall and borderline drinkability. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Not much to say about this one.
★ 290 characters
3.18/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an attractive golden amber in the glass. Average head and lacing. Hops in the nose but not especially fragrant.
Some of the browned biscuit taste. A touch of darker malt with a fain winey flavor. The carbonation and mouthfeel are well, beery. Slightly sharp with a hint of pepper. Rather thin. Quite a bitter aftertaste that lingers long.
This stuff is just plain bitter without much else of interest. For the bitter enthusiast, this will do. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Grapevine Liquors in Denver.
★ 512 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an attractive golden amber in the glass. Average head and lacing. Hops in the nose but not especially fragrant.
Some of the browned biscuit taste. A touch of darker malt with a fain winey flavor. The carbonation and mouthfeel are well, beery. Slightly sharp with a hint of pepper. Rather thin. Quite a bitter aftertaste that lingers long.
This stuff is just plain bitter without much else of interest. For the bitter enthusiast, this will do. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Grapevine Liquors in Denver.
★ 512 characters
3.78/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled 8/7/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 1 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of orange, pineapple, mango, caramel, bread, herbal, floral, and light pine. Pretty nice aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of orange, grapefruit, pineapple, caramel, biscuit, herbal, floral, toast, and light pine. Light herbal bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, caramel, biscuit, herbal, floral, and light pine on the finish for a good bit. Good hop flavor complexity, with a great bitterness/sweetness balance; zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very good pale ale. Nice flavor balance and very smooth to drink. A very pleasant and enjoyable offering.
★ 1,003 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled 8/7/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 1 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of orange, pineapple, mango, caramel, bread, herbal, floral, and light pine. Pretty nice aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of orange, grapefruit, pineapple, caramel, biscuit, herbal, floral, toast, and light pine. Light herbal bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, caramel, biscuit, herbal, floral, and light pine on the finish for a good bit. Good hop flavor complexity, with a great bitterness/sweetness balance; zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very good pale ale. Nice flavor balance and very smooth to drink. A very pleasant and enjoyable offering.
★ 1,003 characters
3.3/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
i dont know, shorts has yet to impress me, despite what ive heard about them. this misses the mark a bit to me. it pours a fine enough looking hazy honey color, with a lasting white foam head. the nose is okay too, sweeter for a pale ale, a little fruity, maybe apricot, dried apricot, and a pineapplely hops as well. the flavor is funky in the wrong way though. it stars with a bland and frankly bad english malt profile, that the delicate fruity hops cant quite overcome. and the bitterness doesnt show its face until the end, which hurts this significantly i think. the sweetness takes over for one or two seconds too many. chemistry is just off. not bad, but just average. feel is okay too, well enough carbonated, and about a medium body on it, but it just doesnt refresh me, or fill me up, or quite get me drunk. like i said, i dont know. its an okay beer, but its lacking any sort of wow factor.
★ 902 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
i dont know, shorts has yet to impress me, despite what ive heard about them. this misses the mark a bit to me. it pours a fine enough looking hazy honey color, with a lasting white foam head. the nose is okay too, sweeter for a pale ale, a little fruity, maybe apricot, dried apricot, and a pineapplely hops as well. the flavor is funky in the wrong way though. it stars with a bland and frankly bad english malt profile, that the delicate fruity hops cant quite overcome. and the bitterness doesnt show its face until the end, which hurts this significantly i think. the sweetness takes over for one or two seconds too many. chemistry is just off. not bad, but just average. feel is okay too, well enough carbonated, and about a medium body on it, but it just doesnt refresh me, or fill me up, or quite get me drunk. like i said, i dont know. its an okay beer, but its lacking any sort of wow factor.
★ 902 characters
Short's Pandemonium Pale Ale from Short's Brewing Company
3.63
out of 5
based on 542 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
One of my favorite pale ales. I was sad to see this one go as a year round offering (although Space Rock, its replacement, is no slouch). Available again in the recent variety pack, this pale ale is a malty and slightly fruity quaffer that would welcome anytime. Pour is a hazy gold with a finger of white foam. Despite the label's warning, there isn't too much bitterness at all, and would probably be acceptable to most people who won't drink APAs or IPAs because they're "too hoppy".
★ 486 characters