Short's Brewing Releases & Updates (2018)

Drat!

 

I've drank a few more since my first post, and I stand by my opinion that it tastes like a coriander wheat beer. I tried hard to find the lime and tonic flavors, and I think they are just being overpowered by the heavy coriander flavor. I also find this year's version to be sweet, where last year's was more tart. I'll be honest, I just don't like this one. I may try another batch later this summer to see if there are some batch variations.

 

New Variety Pack coming later this summer!

Totally Noche: Totally Noche (6% ABV – 37 IBU) is an easy drinking Mexican Dark Lager with a light brown hue and off white head. This beer smells of roast with a hint of chocolate and has flavors of mild chocolate, roast, and caramel. The finish is smooth, crisp, and clean.

Beach Wheat: Beach Wheat (4.5% ABV – 15 IBU) is a light, clean, easy drinking Hefeweizen. This beer is categorized by a grain bill of 50% malted wheat and a German weizen yeast strain that is directly responsible for the distinctly complex flavors. Immediately evident in the nose, this brew is punctuated by esters of banana and clove. These aromatics reflect similar flavors detected during consumption.

Superfluid: Superfluid (9.1% ABV – 91 IBU) is an American Double India Pale Ale that explodes with a perfume of resiny hop aromas! A simple malt bill allows the hops to shine with flavors of coconut, pineapple, and tropical fruit. The perfect bitterness resonates across the palate, complementing the awesome hop intensity within.

Kwikriek: Kwikriek (4.3% ABV – 5 IBU – TA 8.8 g/L) is an American Sour Ale brewed with Northern Michigan cherries and Lactobacillus. This beer is bright pink in color and smells of fresh cherry. The beer is tart with a strong cherry flavor and finishes quite dry. Light in body with an appealing fruit flavor, Kwikriek is a very approachable sour beer.

 

Pineapple Pilsner didn't get enough votes for the variety pack either.

On the plus side, Cinnabilly is still on hiatus.

 

Superfluid!

 

Had Exeter last night. One bottle per sitting will be enough for me, between the lacto and lemon this is a tart one. Not quite enamel melting sour but it will definitely pucker you up. The strawberry comes through nicely in the finish and lingers. For those folks complaining that their sour ales are "sour enough", this ones for you. It was a bit much for me when I neared the end of the 12oz pour, however. YMMV

 

So I'm pretty disturbed to see that Spruce Pilsner is no longer on the release schedule. It is probably my favorite beer. Also looks like Alien Einstein is history. Slurm Lord and Controversiale are the replacements.

 

If true, I can start getting the pitchforks and torches from last year's omission.

Why Shorts seems to treat one of its highest rated beers like a bastard child is beyond my comprehension.

 

.... soon ... there will be....

..

..


STRAWBERRY SHORTS CAKE


Ok carry on . . just was thinking of the marvelous day to come.

 

I think @ScottatShorts mentioned at one point that Spruce can be.... Temperamental.

A quick search, and here's the money quote, from before last year's release:

Maybe they'll brew it at the pub only? I'll be back up there in a month and a half, so I hope there's some good news there.

 

My wife just cracked open a couple cans and I hate to say I agree. Had a few swallows, and there's the coriander and tonic but none of the lime kick I remembered. I didn't mention any of this to her, and a few sips into her second she said the same thing. She's enjoying them (thank God, I've got enough other beer), but it really is a bit different.

 

I can't speak specifically to the cost factor, but I am beginning to see more spruce beers (though not as good as shorts). Pipeworks and Grimm come to mind off the top of my head. These beers don't seem problematic to their respected breweries. ... Also, Juicy tree (though I suspect it uses less spruce) seems unaffected.

Now if Shorts said that making Spruce Pilsner is more time consuming and less pricey that "Insert Name" American IPA, I would understand their answer. That does not mean I would like it though.

 

Short's FB page announced that Shortcake is available on tap and in bottles at the Elk Rapids tap room. "Soon" may be closer than what you hope.

 

When I was on the tour Short's Cake was in one of the tanks. That bright, red liquid in the sight glass looked pretty inviting.

 

Official announcement for Exeter up on the website:

"You may have seen that the second brew in our Salvacious Planemo Sour Series, Exeter, is now available in stores and on tap, so it’s time to tell you all about it! Named for one of the most well documented (and possibly our collective favorite) UFO sighting, the Exeter incident, Exeter has a tantalizing sour strawberry lemonade flavor that’s out of this world.

Exeter (6.5% ABV – 12 IBU – 19.0 TA (g/L)) is an American Sour Ale fermented with strawberry and lemon. Ruby red in color with an initial head that dissipates quickly, Exeter has a big sour fruit aroma with just a hint of lemon. A mouth puckering tart strawberry and sour lemon flavor is complemented by a growing sweetness. The finish is very dry."

Unless it's specifically a Berliner Weisse or Gose I haven't been a big fan of sour style ales. The flavor combo of this one is pretty intriguing, though and frankly Short's has been keeping the wife happy with these releases.

I'm curious how many wine drinkers have been brought over to brews by these American sours.

Also, per Short's FB page, @Mothergoose03 called it: Short's Cake is coming to shelves next week. Get ready for some strawberry-jammy, creamy, bready goodness in a bottle. This one's an iconic Short's brew, so if you haven't had the chance to pick it up before, now's the time!

 

Pairs well with Mexican food. My wife likes it as well, perfect summer session ale (ABV is <4%, right)

 

Between my wife and I we are 20 Melt my Brains deep already. And I have instructions to get more! Glad this is a seasonal this year. Im thinking we will drink several cases this summer. Also digging the flavor more than last year.

 

Oddly, my store here in Cincinnati received Shorts Cake this past Tuesday. I guess they finally threw us a bone?!