Bad Shorts bottles?

Ive been hearing a lot of complaints about their WI and IL deliveries just clearly tasting old. When Upland started selling in Milwaukee their bottles were so old they were really dusty, so another new arrival selling old stock isn't implausible.

 

Hopstache is always awesome. Beard of Zeus is awesome. Freedom of 78 is awesome.

Anyone who is unhappy thus far, needs to try these three. They are by far my favorite Shorts beers of all time.

 

hoping at least one of the three make it to IL

 

Not the first two, but Freedom is supposed to see distro outside of MI.

 

I think I read somewhere that Beard of Zeus will see distro to Short's outlying states, but Hopstache and Freedom will not.

 

I wish folks would post these nice things in the official "Short's Updates and Release" thread. It's confusing, damnit!

 

As another data point, I had a glass of Hopstache a little over a week ago at Bitter Pops - it was enjoyable, but nothing I would go out of my way for. It really didn't taste any different than some of the other grapefruit offerings I have had from other breweries (Ballast Point & Arcade, in particular). I was in MI over the weekend and saw Hopstache on the shelf but passed on it. That's not saying it is bad, just that it doesn't really stand out in my opinion.

 

I was just going with what I was told by a Short's employee here:
Short's Brewing Co. Announces Wisconsin Distribution

 

Yeah, that news release makes it sound like Wisconsin should get some Freedom of 78, but this Short's release newsletter makes it sound like all of the distro states will get Beard of Zeus. https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beard-of-zeus-2016/

Edit: I suppose these press releases could be a little more specific whether it is bottles that are being released and/or kegs.

 

Hadn't seen that. Thanks. Luckily I'm headed back home to the U.P. for a wedding this weekend, so I can stock up on some Short's releases (I'm looking at you, Hopstache) and some Blackrocks to tide me over until I'm back again for the 4th of July.

 

Beard of Zeus is one of a handful of their "seasonal releases" (along with Controversiale, Nicie, Autumn, variety packs) which I believe are all seeing distro out-of-state. That's as opposed to the "specialty releases" like Hopstache, Freedom, etc. which only a select few will be out of state.

 

I tend to agree. I also don't get overly excited about Freedom of '78 either.

The new Starcut Cider release, Immortal Jelly, is tasty and worth a try if you like 'em dry and with a fruity tartness. I'm also noticing a bit of a rustic farmhouse-type yeast.

 

Agreed on Freedom of '78 as well, although it's been a few years I've had it, so I'll give it another go this year.

They had Immortal Jelly at the same place here that had Hopstache and my wife had one of them, but I didn't get to taste it.

 

Shorts strawberry shortcake first solid brew from them so far no off flavors just a quick update

 

I keep buying 6-ers of Huma, and I still haven't had one with off flavors. Either something is happening to these beers in transit, or Ohio/Illinois BA's just don't like the typical Short's hop profile. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anybody from Michigan has reported having bad beer? Mis-handling by the distributor in those states? This is a strange issue and I'm sure Short's is frustrated that customers in these new states are getting beer they don't like.

 

The good news, I guess, is the last report on here mentioning off flavors was late May. Maybe whatever it was is straightened out.

 

I want to be fair here. I am a big huma fan. Countless bottles brought back from summers vacationing in Mich. Awesome, unique beer. All that. However, until this week, had been unable to find Huma fresher than 2 months old in Ohio. Always tasting malt bombish. I found a batch dated 8/20 and was excited to try "fresh" huma, but was disappointed. This should have been fresh but who knows how its being handled by distro, even in such a small time frame. Overall, it isn't the beer that I remember from years past. Then again, my palate has changed over the years, so maybe its me. I have been living in the Southwest for the past 3 yrs, but I remember 5 years ago I could find week old Huma on the shelves all over Michigan. Then in summer 4 years ago, all huma I could find on shelves in Michigan was old (Meijer stores). I am holding out hope for this beer, and I still believe it would be better fresh. I suspect Cavalier or whoever is warehousing it is to blame. But I was in AA last night to pick up Pink Skirt and the Huma at whole foods was dated 5/20. I can see some tiny liquor store having old bottles like that, but come on! I wonder why they are producing so much of it when its clearly not moving quickly enough to keep pace. This is nothing against the state of Michigan. Just my honest opinions and experiences. I will continue to support Short's even if only certain brews. No Ohio brewery releases the amount of quality experimental beers or even close to it. If so, they are pricey bombers which I can only afford so many of. Props to them and I hope things get worked out. BTW I am loving the Pink Skirt.

 

Think they need to go all in on the freshness strategy of Psychedelic Cat Grass. Yes, I'm sure this is more expensive and potentially logistical nightmarish, but on the other hand they pulled it off (I didn't get to try any, but still). This is where the industry is headed and they could really use this idea to set themselves apart in the states they have expanded to. Or at least try to get the hoppy seasonals/experimentals out of state in higher quantity. Not just key lime pie etc. Love Short's but they may be taking a risk in keeping the best stuff in Mich. We need the whole portfolio.

 

Ive yet to find any of these issues in chicago. my only instance was a few weeks ago, I had a huma but it was dated from april and i knew that going in...it was still a solid beer. Freedom, beard of zeus, hopstache, spacerock you name it...have all been fine. i tend to think most people arent that familiar with their beer outside of Michiganders. As a long time Shorts drinker and former michigander myself, I dont see the fall off personally.

 

I'd like to think the store had merchandising issues, because 5/20 doesn't seem right as the Huma that's leaving our distributor for stores, at this time. Cases can get lost in back rooms and show up on shelves much later. There are a variety of situations that can account for this, so don't give up hope.

That being said, when you produce as much beer as Short's does, yearly, it's not going to be ridiculously fresh (> 2 weeks), always, when you pick up a six pack. It's literally impossible, actually, unless you are some sort of magical genie that can forecast so perfectly you might as well be playing blackjack in Vegas for a living.

The out of state realm is a whole new world. We have been honing in on this and doing our best, trust me. Just had a 8/20 Space Rock at a bar, this week. Not too shab. Hope it gets better for you.

Keep the faith, hombre.

I was hoping I'd never see this f'n thread again....