REVIEW: Short’s Goodnight Bodacious

9% ABV, Bottle

Appearance: Jet black. Virtually no head.
Aroma: Roasty nose. Not much else.
Taste: Robust and slightly smokey up front. Minimal hoppy finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Malty thickness.

Previously immortalized by the band Primus, Short’s latest offering Goodnight Bodacious is named after one of the greatest riding bulls of all time, the undefeated Bodacious. The brew qualifies as a Double Black India Pale Ale, although it’s not a “recognized” category. The initial aroma is minimal and leaves something to be desired. The taste is full with roasted malty qualities throughout mixed with some bitter hops. Overall, while this hybrid falls in between styles, it remains extremely smooth and easily drinkable at 9% ABV.

This review originally appeared on MittenBrew.com

REVIEW: Short’s The Liberator

7.4% ABV, Bottle

Appearance: Golden, orange haze color. Poured with thin head.
Aroma: Huge citrus nose full of hops.
Taste: Tart grapefruit flavors on the tongue.
Mouthfeel: Body is light and crisp with medium carbonation.

Short’s The Liberator is a double IPA brewed as a 30th birthday gift for brewer and owner Joe Short. The hop profile is evident at first pour and is huge in the citrus department. The brew has an unmistakable and extremely tart taste. The finish consists of a piney and very lemon-like aftertaste. This offering is sure to please hop-heads of all varieties and surely isn’t for the faint of heart.

This review appeared first on MittenBrew.com

REVIEW: Short’s Bludgeon Yer Eye PA

5% ABV, Bottle

Appearance: Deep black hue. Poured with one finger head.
Aroma: Strong floral presence. Sweet, citrusy hops.
Taste: Biter hops balanced by malt. Tart finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Smooth.

Short’s Bludgeon Yer Eye PA is an India black ale blessed with tons of aromatic qualities like any good IPA. The taste contains a bitter hop presence that’s well-balanced by the slightly roasted maltiness. The body is cream but dry, leaving the head stuck to the side of the glass. The lingering hops remain with your taste buds after you finish. At 5% ABV, this balanced pale ale makes for a great session brew.

This review first appeared on MittenBrew.com

REVIEW: Short’s Black Cherry Porter

7.0% ABV, Bottle

Appearance: Predominantly black with reddish tint. Virtually no head.
Aroma: Chocolately, cherry and smokey.
Taste: Roasted flavor with hints of tart cherry.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and clean. Light to medium body.

Short’s Brewing Company is know for off the wall concoctions and a flair for the dramatic with its brews. But its Black Cherry Porter is simple, yet has just enough presence to distinguish it from the rest of the pack. The dark appearance compliment the roasted flavor giving you exactly what you’d expect. The mouthfeel and finish leave a tangy cherry taste that’s just sharp enough. Overall, this porter is a good one to pick up for your fall or winter repertoire.

This review first appeared on MittenBrew.com

REVIEW: Short’s Kind Ale

6% ABV, Bottle

Appearance: Clear and golden. Almost no head but lots of carbonation.
Aroma: Citrusy smell. Hop presence but nothing overpowering.
Taste: Lots of bittering hops right off the bat. Tart with just a hint of floral sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Light body. Complimentary to the aroma and taste.

Short’s Brewing Kind Ale is one of the many wet hop pale ales from Michigan breweries that you’ll find on the shelves this fall. The American Pale Ale is brewed with local hops from the Leelanau Peninsula, and lacks slightly in nose but has a nice presence in taste and mouthfeel. While this ale has some sweet finishing qualities, it does leave a lingering bitter taste in your mouth that some may or may not care for.

This review first appeared on MittenBrew.com