Showing posts with label Short's. Show all posts

24. Short's Brewing Co. - Evil Urges

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This may be a cardinal sin of beer blogging, but I'm about to get political on you.


Michigan's had a rough week, politically. Wednesday, Michigan congress used a disgusting legal loophole to bypass the democratic system by claiming that the signatures of "Right to Lifers" represented everyone in our state with a citizen-initiated bill to make women purchase what many people have rightfully been calling "rape insurance." Basically, women in Michigan now need to purchase separate insurance if they ever, under any circumstances, need an abortion, and the biggest issue people see with this is the women who, on top of being violently assaulted, find out they are pregnant after being raped. The bill is clearly proposed to try and prevent anyone from having an abortion, which I think is wrong in general. Regardless of the reason, I think all women should be allowed to choose what happens to their bodies. But even for people that have moral issues with that (and to them, I say tough shit, but moving on), you're still not making compensations for women who are pregnant from their attackers, or women who need an abortion as a medically necessary procedure because their life is in danger or the life of the child is in danger. I can't find the right words to explain how disgusted I am.

Then, literally THE NEXT DAY our senate passes a bill that would force welfare recipients to take a drug test to continue to receive government aide. This is a touchy subject I've found for a lot of people, but at the end of the day, what you have to understand is that drug addiction is actually an illness, and we need to help these people and treat them like fellow humans, not criminals. Other states that have this law actually have seen more expenses going into the actual drug testing than savings from the people they cut off from welfare because so few of them actually do test positive. On top of that, a wonderful point my friend Christina made is that we pay the salaries of members of our legislator but do we submit them to spontaneous drug testing based on suspicion? No, they refuse.

So basically, my state has marginalized women and impoverished people. Bravo.

I'm sorry, I'll get off my high horse now, but maybe that will help you understand how much I mean this when I say that after this week, I NEED A DRINK.

And a really, really good one at that. So while my boyfriend and I enjoyed The Hobbit at Alamo Drafthouse last night, saying I was thrilled to see they had Short's Evil Urges (9% abv) on tap last night is a gross understatement.

First of all, look at this label.



I mean, LOOK AT THE FACE. I just love it. It made me laugh and say aw. I love the Short's logo in the eyes. I love the evil cats on either side. It's just so great. It looks like my cat, Athena.

Poured into a tulip, this Belgian Strong Ale was completely opaque, but not quite black. The head was thick and tan, but settled into a thin, off white layer with great lacing that clung to the edges of the glass. 

You can probably guess the aroma from the beer type, it was right on point. A perfect blend of roasted malt, pumpernickel bread, cloves, and banana candy.

Taste was nice and warm, exactly what you want when it's been blizzarding for the majority of the week. A lot of beautiful things going on here, but primarily I'm getting a strong triple punch of bittersweet chocolate, cinnamon and cloves, and banana esters. After one sip, I couldn't stop comparing it to chocolate covered bananas. It's less roasty than the aroma would lead you to believe, but nonetheless satisfying. I also got a lingering yeasty earthiness. There's a bit of hops and date at the finish, but overall this is like a thick, dark quad that warms you immediately from head to toe.



Definitely complex, pulling inspiration from a lot of different beer qualities. I really enjoyed it, and for a moment, I forgot the troublesome state of our state and the raging blizzard outside while escaping into Middle Earth with this beer in hand. Unfortunately, I woke up all too aware that the escapist bliss I experienced was only temporary. Now I have to shovel the driveway knowing that when I return home from work, I'll probably have to shovel it again to be able to pull the car in because the snow is seriously coming down out there.

Yep, that's outside my window.... only double that because this picture was taken yesterday.


I've lived in Michigan my whole life, you'd think I'd be used to it! Ah well, back to reality.


Winter Beers Equal Holiday Cheers!

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Even though the streets of Kalamazoo are flooding due to the severe weather the entire Midwest has been subjected to in the past 24 hours, I can't help but continue to think about the magical blanket of thick and fluffy white snow that will soon cover the mitten state.


And let's be honest, every year I feel the same way about it.


I'm sorry, I adore Michigan. And not having snow on Christmas is sacrilege, but thinking about scraping off my car every morning and night, shoveling my driveway, turning up the heat, having to buy new boots because every year I choose price over quality and every year I end up with wet socks. 

Also, snow pants. I have come full circle and now appreciate them. There was a time in the middle where it was embarrassing, from about age 10 through relatively recently. But now I would rather go to the bar looking like a marshmallow then be cold. Sorry everyone that has to witness that.

But speaking of the bar, let's talk about the one great part about cold weather, and that's the type of beer you're about to see flood menus across Michigan.

BRING ON THE WINTER BEER. Because winter beer equals holiday cheer.

In no particular order, I present to you my list of the Top 10 Winter Beers I am most excited to drink this holiday season, and you should be excited too. 






10. Santa's Private Reserve Ale - Rogue (6% ABV)



Thank goodness Santa's not holding out on us anymore. You should probably treat yourself to this at some point, regardless as to whether you have been naughty or nice. You've got your basic hoppy red ale with additional notes of orange peel and holiday spices. A sweet and bitter treat.

9. 2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company (8% ABV)



Taking in the aroma of this beer is like smelling a gingerbread/sugar cookie hybrid. This beer is full of figs, orange peel, and holiday baking spices, everything you need for a truly solid Christmas ale. Southern Tier always brews delicious, people pleasing beers, and this is certainly no exception.




8.  Bourbon Barrel Soaked Sustenance Black Beer - Short's Brewing Co. (6.5% ABV)



Ok, so this one doesn't directly reference the holidays in the title. But trust me, when the snow comes down and your socks are wet and you're too poor to turn the heat up, this is the beer you want. The old label actually used to have a turkey sitting on a barrel, which is pretty Thanksgiving-y if you ask me, but the new one isn't bad either. Kind of looks like my tiny family around the Thanksgiving table.

Feel free to point out that this beer is released in early spring. But trust me, there is nothing, nothing I tell you, that feels like sitting in front of a toasty fire in your favorite flannel pajamas than this beer. Probably because, as Short's so aptly describes it, this beer is bourbon barrel soaked. You've got a great oaky char in there, and certainly prominent vanilla notes which to me, allude to baking on Christmas eve, but the star player is the bourbon.


6. Ursus - Greenbush (8.9% ABV)



Greenbush actually has three winter beer options this year, including Mammoth (weizenbock) and Jadis (winter white). But I'm mot excited to try Ursus, an old winter ale. It boasts roasty chocolate malts and notes of dark fruit, along with a surprise addition of maple sap. I'm really looking forward to grabbing a glass this season. Label not pictured here, but it's got a very menacing looking bear on it. I'm a fan.


5. Plow Horse - Brewery Vivant (9.5% ABV)

                            

Winter is stout season, and this Belgian Imperial stout absolutely blew me away the first time I tried it. Its official release month is November, so now is the time people! This beer is just huge and robust, everything a great stout should be. Wonderfully balanced, delightfully complex, it's a Christmas miracle! But it's actually not, because I think we've all come to expect nothing less from Brewery Vivant.


9. Christmas Ale - Great Lakes (7.5% ABV)


Great Lakes Brewing Company has just celebrated their 25th Anniversary this year, and with options like this, it's no wonder they've been brewing strong for so long! This seasonal ale is a glorious offering to anyone looking to experience some serious holiday cheer in a pint. It's brewed with honey, ginger, and cinnamon, which gives this beer a great savory to sweet balance. Definitely don't wait until Christmas day to open up a bottle of this stuff.


4. Christmas Ale - Goose Island (7.5% ABV)



I look forward to this truly spectacular Christmas ale every single year. Distinctly sweet, like plums, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. I know first hand that this stuff ages well, so if you grab yourself a six pack, consider cellaring a bottle or two to appease the you of Christmas future.

3. Noel de Calabaza - Jolly Pumpkin (9% ABV)



All I want for Christmas is a Jolly Pumpkin in Kalamazoo. I have an obsession. Some days, only a Jolly Pumpkin brew will do, and for those days that also happen to be around the holidays, there is Noel de Calabaza for your drinking pleasure. Its flavor is equally full of dark fruit and nuts as it is chocolate rum truffles. The only thing that keeps me from confidently stating that this is my favorite winter beer is that it's not nearly as readily available as I would like. So when you see it, snatch it up because Jolly Pumpkin beers have a habit of flying off the shelf like Santa's reindeer.

2. Three Philosophers - Brewery Ommegang (9.8% ABV)



This Belgian quad is one of the most outstanding beers I have ever had. It's fitting that it was created around the description of someone's dream beer in a contest. I will actually direct you to my review of this beer from a few months ago. But as far as why this gets ranked into a winter beer list, the sweet rum raisin, dark cherries and cloves you pull from this beer would pair perfectly with any holiday meal. Or it can certainly stand alone on a cold winter's night.



1. Breakfast Stout - Founder's Brewing (8.3% ABV)



Winter is stout season. Breakfast Stout is the perfect stout. It's basic math. There is truly nothing even mediocre about this beer. Beautiful layers of Kona and Sumatra coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and oats make up the foundational flavors of this cornerstone beer from one of Michigan's best breweries. Bonus! If you're reading this out of state, this beer is distributed nationally, so make sure to keep an eye out for it wherever you normally shop for your favorite craft beer.






MLive's Michigan's Best Brewery List SLASH Beauty and the Brew's Best MI Brewery List

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At the end of September, Mlive.com, Michigan's primary news source, released a list of Michigan's Best Breweries. The list is ranked based on overall experience, including the feel of the brewery, the knowledge of the staff, and of course, the beer.

They visited breweries based on Michigander votes over the course of nine short days with the assistance of Amy Sherman from The Great American Brew Trail television show. This was the list they compiled.

1. Short's Brewing Company

2. Greenbush Brewing Co.

3. Dark Horse Brewing Co.

4. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.

5. Founders Brewing Co.

6. Bell's Brewery, Inc.

7. Arbor Brewing Company

8. Arcadia Brewing Company

9. Right Brain Brewery

10. Cranker's Brewery

More information about why they chose the breweries can be found here.

But (and isn't there always a "but), I politely and respectfully disagree, and will submit my own list in protest, which will mostly be based on the beer.

So here are Beauty and The Brew's Top 10 Michigan Breweries.

1. Short's Brewing Company
They got this one right. They really did, and Short's has earned this title. Short's has worked their way up from a humble start to becoming the craft beer powerhouse that it is today. Only distributing in Michigan has given Short's the opportunity to expand their beer selection enormously and they frequently venture into the realm of flat out bizarre (but somehow delicious) territory with some of their more experimental beers, such as their Key Lime Pie, Bloody Beer (inspired by Bloody Mary flavors), and their OMGWTFBBQ. Short's is located in Bellaire, MI, a sleepy lake town up north that provides all the charm that you'd expect to suit a local brewery. There's great beer to choose from, a staff that clearly loves their jobs, and a deli menu to die for thanks to Joe Short's wife Leah. This brewpub really has it all.



2. Brewery Vivant
I'll try not to go on and on about this one, even though I easily could. Brewery Vivant was actually the brewpub I vouched for when I sent my email to Mlive, mostly knowing that Short's wouldn't need any help getting to number one. But Brewery Vivant is certainly newer, and a little more elusive as it's located in a building tucked back on Cherry Street in Grand Rapids, MI. Honestly, nothing that has come out of that brewery has been anything less than world-class. Everything from their standards to their specialty options have floored me. I am obsessed with their packaging (as a graphic designer), it has the look of medieval woodblock prints from religious texts, and you can always tell a Brewery Vivant can from the consistency and the fact that they choose a single color to represent each beer. Not to mention that fact that it is a can is fantastic for the environment, and I appreciate their commitment to that.

The brewpub itself is a renovated historic building in the East Hills neighborhood in Grand Rapids. The building looks like an old Abbey, complete with exposed beams and stained glass behind the bar. Most seating is community style, so you get a great chance to talk to the people around you about the food and beer. The whole building in LEED certified.

And now we get to talk about the food. They have taken bar food to a whole new level with some serious treats. From artisanal cheese plates to upscale bar favorites like oysters and belgium fries (complete with truffle oil on request), they've got all your main faire covered, as well as some really unique twists on some old favorites. Like their bar nachos are made with duck and brie. Their chicken and waffles are made with cornish hen and a cheddar bacon cornbread waffle.

Again, I could go on and on. But I won't. Just go there yourself, it's worth it.




3. Greenbush Brewing Co.
Who would have thought that Sawyer, MI was the perfect location to sustain a craft brewery. Situated closely to Chicago but not too far for most Michigan cities, Greenbush has been an attractive destination for many in their very short lifespan. They are expanding so quickly, it's hard for anyone, even their employees, to keep up, but that is simply the price of serving up great beer. Their staples, Anger, Closure, Brother Benjamin, and Distorter, all get high marks from me in their respective styles. Their food sources great local ingredients, and all people can do is rave about their brisket (for good reason). Looking at the outside of this tiny brewpub, you'd never guess how bustling it is inside! It's a beer lover's haven.



4. Jolly Pumpkin
Approaching a very dark and historic looking line shop in a college town with a Nightmare Before Christmas style logo and awning has never been so appealing. In Ann Arbor, MI, they have a very discerning clientele of professors and students attending the prestigious University of Michigan, so you know if they've managed to keep their supreme location then they are doing something right. Jolly Pumpkin has some world-class beers, consistently scoring 90 or above on Ratebeer.com regardless of style, though they excel at sours.  




5. Founders Brewing Co.
Founders is one of those breweries that needs no introduction, even among a national audience. Their beer has made it across the country, from north to south, purely running on awesome. I have been there many times, and despite enormous crowds have always thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, especially after their recent renovation where they have expanded immensely and increased outdoor space including outdoor fire pits for heating because, let's face it folks, Michigan gets really damn cold. They also have a pretty neat little gift shop in there, so kudos for that addition. Founders is constantly outdoing itself, especially with their Backstage Series beers, which are always interesting as well as incredibly delicious and limited in supply. Founders makes nationally appealing not because they are some sort of toned down version of Michigan beer, but it's because they are a superb example of what makes our state's craft beer so great and people are starting to take notice. 
The renovations are so new, I can't find pictures of the new building anywhere!


7. Arcadia Brewing Company
Arcadia, my love, what can I say about you that hasn't already been said in any of my other blog posts. They make it on this list not simply because their brewpub in Battle Creek is just a lovely experience all together and their food alone is worth the trip, but their Kalamazoo location sounds like it will top my list for next year. So far the feel of the building seems very similar to Founders with the open loft feel and the large garage doors to open to the outside, where they will put a pet friendly beer garden with river access. But THE MENU. Can I just take a second and drool over the menu? They are drawing inspiration from South American barbeque, Turkish inspired spice rubs, house cured meats and fresh fish! Those are a few of my favorite things! And to top it all of, Arcadia is serving up some of my favorite beers, from their Loch Ness to Cocoa Loco, and they will be able produce 60,000 barrels annually in this new facility.
Arcadia (Battle Creek)
Arcadia West (Kalamazoo)


8. New Holland Brewery
Fact: New Holland actually came out publicly during the search for Michigan's Best Brewery and stated that they really don't believe the competition is what the craft beer industry is about. I found that to be incredibly admirable, honestly. I was disappointed to see that New Holland wasn't even an addition to the list that Mlive put out, likely due to their statement, but they have so much public support because their beers are fantastic and they do a wealth of good for the Holland community. As an independent blogger I can only say that all lists, such as my own, have a bias towards personal taste. Your favorite brewery may not be mine, and who really cares? Much like New Holland, I'm sure a lot of these breweries know better than to take the competition to heart and know that everyone has a preference, but in the end it doesn't matter because it all is for the good of the industry as a whole. So here is my "hats off" to the creators of Mad Hatter, New Holland, my hometown brewery. I remember when they opened in 1997, and I couldn't drink then, but I remember that awesome pizza. I remember thinking it was a great restaurant. And now that I'm older, I know that was just a sign that it was also going to be a good brewpub. It has the kind of atmosphere that allows anyone to walk in and feel comfortable and happy. They also distill their own artisan spirits, which, to be frank, kick ass. Their Knickerbocker gin not only is a staple for my personal bar, but it also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside thinking back to when I used to see shows at The Knickerbocker Theater, the gin's namesake. Don't even get me started on their Beer Barrel Bourbon. 




9. Bell's Brewery
You can't even do this thing without talking about Bell's. The big daddy of Michigan craft brewing has so many diverse spaces in their brewpub, from the Eccentric Cafe to the brewery store, from the outside beer garden and music venue to the inside bar and music venue. You can see people from all over the United States in a single night at Bell's, it's just that much of a destination for beer-lovers. Everything from the food to the staff to the music follows the same standard as their famous beers; world-class.




10. Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Dark Horse is almost too eclectic to summarize. On the outside, this Marshall establishment looks remarkably biker bar-esque, as the exterior is a blend siding painting army green and wood shingles. The ceiling is so lined with mugs that some of them have started to spill onto the walls for lack of space. Dark Horse also boasts an expansive beer garden that is definitely.... different than others. The entire complex is something you will have to see to believe. Dark Horse brews are unapologetically flavorful and hugely diverse in style. The brewers are literally fearless and it shows in everything they put out. They've got relatively standard fare as far as food is concerned, but it hits the spot. 



So that's it. There is my list and I'm sticking to it. Questions, concerns, complaints. Leave me a comment and argue it up, I thrive on disagreement.


12. Dogfish Head Brewery - Ta Henket

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As my beer stash began to diminish, especially over this weekend as my boyfriend and I drowned our financial woes in fermented comfort as the time to pay rent draws nearer, my choices for what to review have also significantly decreased.

Mostly I have things I have had plenty of in my lifetime. This is truly because they are good ol' standbys, but I really wanted to look into something new.

In the back of my fridge I've been storing a find that I am extra proud of, especially considering it's something I grabbed through my job at an incredible price, and it was the only one they had available. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The beer was Ta Henket from Dogfish Head Brewery. This limited edition brew comes in at a measly 4.5% abv and was brewed in a traditional fashion according to hieroglyphs in Egypt. The backstory alone was enough to peak my curiosity. The bottle boasts that this spiced ale is brewed with doum fruit, za'atar, and chamomile. It was specially brewed with wheat and loaves of hearth baked bread with actual native saccharomyces yeast strains the brewers gathered in Cairo.

I was also excited because this beer was pre-aged for me. Not the ideal conditions as it had been a return based on the date, so it had been sitting on a shelf since it was bottled in January 2012, but I was particularly anxious to see how it aged. I only wished I had a fresh bottle to compare it to, but they are impossible to get now.

I tried this during a beerscapade with my friend Franklin, where we also tried some things from his cellar, including Short's Cornholio, a group effort that included ingredients contributed by Dogfish Head and Three Floyds, and The Sixth Glass from Boulevard Brewing Co.

 Anyway, there was a lot going on needless to say, but we started with Ta Henket.

Was too distracted, did not grab picture, I am a horrible, shameful blogger. Bad, bad, bad. This picture is great though because it depicts how small that head was. Just non existent.



Poured into a tulip, it was a somewhat cloudy burnt umber gold with an off white head that dissipated instantly and became somewhat lifeless in the glass (possibly due to its age).

In the nose you got a little bready yeast, but likely less than if it was fresh. There was a little earthy funk to it, kind of like white onions. We've got something floral and juicy in there, which was probably the doum fruit, but I have to tell you, I know no clue what doum fruit smells or tastes like. But it didn't resemble any other fruity odor. Then you got a huge nose full of Za'atar, which was very pleasant and peppery and spicy.

Taste matched the aroma to a T. There was some nice funk in this guy, and the chamomile came through more in the flavor than in the nose. With some age on this, I think the fruit has gone a little south. It comes off as over ripe and bruised stone fruit, but fortunately the finish is a nice and cleansing heat from the middle eastern flavors of the za'atar herb and spice blend that really linger at the end, especially in the back of your throat. There is a little bit of cinnamon sweetness that makes this drink easy, especially mixed with the incredibly low alcohol percentage.

This beer would have done well with a little carbonation, it was a little dense for me. But all in all, you'd probably chock that up to a combination of age and the ancient techniques they were using.

In general, this beer is like nothing I have ever tried. I am glad I had the opportunity to taste this one, especially because of its ancient roots, but I am glad I split the bottle. There is no way I could have finished that whole thing, there were some strange flavors going on in there. If for some crazy reason you can get your hands on this one, don't pass up the chance. It's a very unique experience.

Was too distracted, did not grab picture, I am a horrible, shameful blogger. Bad, bad, bad. Click on the image for original sources.

Five Best Beers of the Summer

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Looking out the giant windows of my office on my lunch break is what inspired me to write this post.

Last year, if you remember, summer was ungodly scorching hot. Not only in Michigan, but everywhere. And I'll be honest, I love it that way. I study Latin American art for a reason, I love the heat. I love the moist tropical heat of Nicaragua and the dry, arid heat of the Andes in the warmer months. I am just a person that likes to be warm.

This summer hasn't been nearly as hot, especially in the past few weeks, I might actually consider this a "cool/normal Michigan summer." But today is different. Today boasts skies so blue and clear, it looks like they would ripple if you somehow could touch them. No wind, no humidity. Just nice, dry, solid warmth (we're not quite up to heat yet). This definitely gives me hope for days to come.

So, to celebrate to forecast showing clear skies for five straight days in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I want to talk about my top five beers from this year that I want to grab when the weather is so beautiful that it should be spent on your porch and not in an office.



5. Sunspot - Greenbush (6% abv)



This is probably my go-to Michigan Hefe. If you're looking for something a little less experimental for summer, definitely go for a Sunspot. This particular style definitely serves well ice cold, and carries nice biscuity aromas and traditional banana wheat flavors with some baking spice. It's crisp and surprisingly complex. Just picture yourself holding a pint of this in a wicker chair on a hot summer day, feeling the cold glass perspire between your fingers. Drink and say "aaaaahhhh." Repeat.
4. Mango Magnifico - Founders Brewing Company (10% abv)


Just reviewed this, so you can read the long discussion here, but just to reiterate, this beer is a perfect option for summer. Just perfect.
3. Duchesse De Bourgogne - Brouwerij Verhaeghe (6% abv)



This flemish red ale isn't super easy to come by, nor will it be easy on the pocketbook, but boy do I crave it when I'm sitting on the porch at dusk watching fireflies. This beer is heavily laden with fruity tannins with flavors of tart raspberry, cherry jam and passionfruit. Served chilled, this highly carbonated beer is super refreshing and drinks like a really good sour. I have dreams about this beer.
2. St. Lupulin - Odell Brewing Company (6.5% abv)



This hoppy masterpiece is enough to make me want to pack my bags and drive out to Colorado tomorrow. It's the perfect blend of citrusy hops and herbal flavors that make this beer scream summer. It's got just enough bitterness and piney resin to balance perfectly with the touches of honey throughout. A great American Pale Ale.


 1. Anniversary Ale - Short's Brewing Company (10% abv)


This limited release American Wheatwine is one of my favorites from Short's Brewing Company out of what I have tried so far considering their portofolio is ENORMOUS. It's brewed with multicolor peppercorns, corriander, orange peel, blood orange zest and 225 lbs of blood oranges, which makes it incredibly refreshing for summer with a nice kick in the pants from the peppercorns. I love Nicie Spicie because it has the citrus and peppercorns, which both come through beautifully, but this beer takes it to the next level in flavor and in abv considering it's a wheatwine. The richness and tartness of blood orange versus valencia oranges really brings this beer up a notch in comparison. It even looks like summer in the glass, as it pours a beautiful copper orange creamsicle.

 Most photos taken respectfully from the internet as I haven't personally photographed the beers recently. Click the image to see its original source.




09. Short's Brewing Co. - Spruce Pilsner

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So the greatest thing in the world is happening starting tomorrow, and its name is TIME OFF FROM WORK.

 Yes, you heard right, I am actually going on two back to back voyages into Michigan for five total days of workless freedom.




I figured I had to at least write one more review before I disappear into the wilderness, so here are my last words in case I get eaten by a bear or drown in the river attempting to remember how to canoe, something I've done since childhood but because it's not a desk in front of a computer I might just flop around like a limp noodle and then fall out of the boat.

 So I guess, if either of those happen, I can say I at least reviewed a beer I really loved!

 Today I tried the Spruce Pilsner from Short's Brewing Company (7% abv).



 Smells a bit like rosemary. Mixed with the yeasty, biscuity notes, I'm getting rosemary bread, fresh out of the oven. Definitely a little floral and just so herbal, almost like a holiday spice rub for all your savory dishes. There is also a touch of resin.

The beer looks like the most golden olive oil with a slight head that reduces to a very, very light mist of foam after about thirty seconds. No lacing. I'm surprised it didn't pour more murky, because there was still a thin layer of sediment in the bottom of the bottle.

 This is an incredibly unique beer with a taste I've never experienced before. They chose a possibly challenging ingredient, but nothing says Northern Michigan quite like a blue spruce tree.

 The spruce comes through less sappy and more like a nice juniper. It starts a bit sweet, like a saltine cracker without the salt crystals on top, and then gets incredibly piney and herbal in the middle, and then finishes just hoppy enough to remind you that it's a beer, not a liquified herb-crusted pork roast. The hops linger and mingle with a mild earthiness.

 Mouthfeel is a little oily, a tad sticky.

 Overall, this beer is a huge success for me. I just, flat out, do not like pilsners. I know that is a horribly broad statement, but I've reached far and wide, across countries even. But they do provide a good starting block for more experimental flavors, like blue spruce.

This picture is obviously more about the beer posters


Short's should be very proud of this one, it really does scream "I AM A MICHIGAN BEER" at the top of its fermented lungs. It's got our state tree (well... almost... our state tree is the white pine, but they're all evergreens goddammit), it's made in Michigan, it's unique, and it's really, really good.

 I'm taking this beer camping tomorrow and I plan to drink it exactly where it belongs: out in the middle of Nowhere, Northern Michigan with good company.

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