The Stellar Ale
Short's Brewing Company

Bottle dated 11/10/14 poured into a Sam Smith's imperial pint.

A- A normal pour creates 1-finger worth of khaki head that drops to a light film. The body hazy and golden-orange with moderate carbonation. Really nice lacing is left around the glass.

S- Even with nearly 2 months on the bottle it comes off as hoppy, fresh, and robust. Lots of citrus, lemon at first whiff, but more grapefruit-like on further inspection. Malts are sugary sweet, but definitely second fiddle to the hops. Faint furitiness other than the citrus hops as well (maybe a little pineapple?).

T- More balanced than the aroma lets on. Really nicely balanced, actually. Strong grapefruit flavors give way to sweet and grainy hops, almost like a sweetened cereal of sorts. The finish is clean and dry. Hops turn spicy, nearly medicinal, in the end after a couple of sips. Not harsh, just a change of flavor profile (or perception of such). Really flavorful brew.

M- Medium-full body for the style and ABV. There's a definite bite from the hops that get a little spicy toward the finish. Medium carbonation.

O- I went into this one without a lot of expectations. I've always enjoyed Huma Lupa, but as a rule, Short's tends to stand out more with their experimental offerings. I was more than pleasantly surprised by this straight forward, balanced, and bold IPA. I could see drinking a few in a sitting, especially taking into account the lower ABV (it seems all of Michigan's top IPA top the 7.0 mark).

Edit: labeled an American IPA, though categorized as an APA on the site. Scored it as an IPA, maybe even better as APA?

Short's Super Hoppy Holidays 2023 Edition - 18 pack
12 oz. can dated 092823 (9/28/23) - 6% ABV / ? IBU
Brewed and canned in Elk Rapids, MI
Poured into a Bell's branded nonic pint glass

Look - Pours a dense and fizzy off-white head. Clear, copper appearance.
Smell - The scent is caramel malt and not much else.
Taste - The taste follows the nose and the bitterness is minimal.
Feel - Thin bodied with a crisp mouthfeel and finishes with no dryness.
Overall - A very malty and easy drinking brew.

 

 

Superb clear orange body, minimal white head. Pine and spice, lemon hops. Flavor is assertively bitter, pine continues, with mild malt sweetness. Close is lingering. In the end, the result is more IPA than APA, in my opinion, a bracing glass of brew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lingering bitter finish. Was very impressed.

 

 

clear yellow. Not a lot of strong flavors. Good sipping beer. Would rather have Huma.

A - Pours a hazy golden orange with a two-finger creamy white head. Lots of sticky lacing.

S - Aromas of orange, grapefruit, and caramel malts.

T - The taste starts with a heavy amount of grapefruit. The grapefruit is balance by the caramel malts and some breadiness. The finish has a lingering bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation. The mouthfeel is soft and creamy.

O - This is a nice Pale Ale. Pleasant and easy drinking.