I recently had the chance to send over Joe Short, owner/brewer, of Shorts Brewing a few questions about beer, brewing and life in general. Check out what he had to say below. Also be sure to check out our review for their Key Lime Pie ale which is linked below. If you guys have not had a chance to check out Shorts yet here is a description from their website of what they are all about:
In April of 2004 we opened the doors to Short’s Brewing Company in the quaint Village of Bellaire. Beer was the mission, and liberation was the movement. With a lot of elbow grease, blind ambition and a little luck, the quest to create a community pub in Northwest Lower Michigan began to take shape. The philosophy was to bring an appreciation of craft beer to the north with product education and creativity. The process of appreciation through education we call beer liberation.
Today Short’s Brewing Company continues the effort to educate and liberate consumers. We take pride in our hands on, mom and pop approach and the energy we put into the quality of our beer, food, staff, customers and facilities. We believe in the power of the smallness. We intend on remaining a smaller, state wide beer distributor and focusing our energies close to home (the SBC Michigan stimulus package). Our goal is to get to a comfortable production volume, enjoy what we do and love life in Northern Michigan.
For more information about the brewery visit their website here.
Check out the BGN review for Short’s Key Lime Pie ale here.
BGN: How did you get started in brewing? History,schooling etc.
Joe: Home brewing, apprentice
BGN: What was the beer or brewery that made you decide this is what you wanted to do for a profession?
Joe: Bell’s Beer
BGN: Can you give an overiview of your brewery setup? Equipment brands,tanks sizes etc
Joe: 7 BBL System at our Bellaire Pub – 9 fermenters, 20 servers, 3 package tanks – 20 on tap – 30 throughout the year
Joe: 28 BBL system Elk Rapids (production) hodge podge of 30 – 90 BBL vertical, horizontal and unitanks
BGN: Do you have a favorite and least favorite style of beer to brew?
Joe: Not really. I just love brewing. From easy to the hardest, I love em all
BGN: If you could only brew 1 Shorts beer for the rest of your life which would it be and why?
Joe: Probably Spruce India Pilsner – It’s amazing. Lots of refreshing personality
BGN: What was your inspiration for some of the more “extreme”/Imperial series beers you guys brew (BLoody Beer,Smores,Strawbeery Shortcake,Key Lime Pie etc). How did they come about?
Joe: Sounded like fun and challenging
BGN: noticed you will be renovating the Pub, can you give any details on what people can expect when its reopened?
Joe: We’re going to expand the deli operations and blow out a bathroom and make the other two bathrooms bigger. Possibly change out a few lights, add acoustic stuff for the stage side and also add new seats/tables.
BGN: If you could brew with any non traditional ingredient that you have not already brewed with what would it be and why?
Joe: We have a long list that we have been working on. Everything from tea, to potatoes to psycotropic stuff, exotic frutis and vegetables, new hops spices, nuts. Because we love to explore.
BGN: Sorry I have to ask this or I would be yelled and screamed at….What is your favorite and least favorite non Shorts commercial beer?
Joe: Favorite: I like a fresh Two Hearted Ale Draft – Mostly a nice local IPA
Joe: Non favorite: Bud light (anything on that spectrum)
BGN: I know you mentioned you wanted to keep distribution to Michigan only, can you expand on why that is?
Joe: Power of the smallness: we feel we can keep a better handle on our quality that way. We also don’t want demand to dictate our goals for work and quality of life balance. Making also available in Michigan get people out to this beautiful area; The Short’s Brewing Michigan Stimulus Package
BGN: Do you read reviews for your beers on Beer Advocate and Rate Beer? And if so do they influence brewing decisions any?
Joe: I rarely have any time to get caught up on reviews. The only thing that influences our brewing decisions is our imagination
BGN: And last but not least what does being a craft brewer mean to you?
Joe: It means I get to be an explorer, craftsman, artist, tradesman, and a contributor to the community.
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