Short’s Brewing Company

Photo credit: Nick Perez

It’s not fair for me to review Short’s. I won’t be unbiased or objective. I love Short’s and always have. I would make out with Short’s if I could. If I had to name my top 10 beers, Short’s brews would probably comprise at least half of them (don’t actually ask me to do this, I’ll have an anxiety attack). I still vividly remember the first time I walked into their pub in downtown Bellaire in February 2005, 10 months after they’d opened their doors. At the time, I didn’t consider myself a craft beer enthusiast, but I was instantly hooked. And that’s an important part of their success; Short’s brews so many different varieties that there’s bound to be something for everybody, even those who don’t think they like “micro-brews.” As a result of that trip 7 and 1/2 years ago, I’m now a self-professed beer geek.

The pub in Bellaire is in a 100+ year old hardware store that’s been gutted to brew and serve beer. Most of the company’s production has moved to Elk Rapids, but some beers are still brewed here. The food can be described as upscale deli, with a nice selection of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, & pizzas. The recent kitchen renovation allows the staff to be even more efficient. And the most important part, there are usually around 20 beers on tap.

What sets Short’s apart (& above) the many other fine Michigan breweries is their creativity and the quality of their beers. They offer many classic styles, but they also aren’t afraid to push the envelope. A few examples would include, India Spruce Pilsner (one of my favorites), PB&J, S’mores Stout, and Key Lime Pie.  But even if you don’t like a particular style they’ve brewed, it’s still easy to appreciate the quality of the brew. Nothing that doesn’t pass their strict quality control standards gets poured into a glass.

If the solid food and incredible beer isn’t enough to convince you to make the 45-minute drive from TC to Bellaire, Short’s routinely has live music. I, for one, try to avoid the crowds, which are prevalent every night between Memorial & Labor Day. I’ve found that heading out for lunch on Sundays in the summer is a great way to beat the rush. The pub is kid friendly so nobody needs to be left behind. The winters are also a great time to venture out as the summertime residents have headed home. Plus, there are plenty of great trails in the area to go snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing on to work up your thirst, an outing that Short’s supports.