Short's Nicie Spicie - Short's Brewing Company

ngeunit1

California

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a fairly clear golden color with a thin finger of frothy white head. The head fades down fairly to a ring around the glass leaving behind a touch of lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of some fairly potent peppercorns alongside some orange and lemon zest, wheat, and some coriander.

T - Starts off with a mix of citrus zest and sweet malt with some light coriander. Through the middle the peppercorn comes through with a bit more tart lemon flavor. The finish is a mix of tart and slightly sour lemon, peppercorn, and wheat that linger.

M - Medium-light bodied with mild carbonation. Smooth with a tart and spiced finish.

D - Very drinkable. Interesting mix of flavors but they seem to work together very nicely. I like the tartness of the lemon flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 05:25:43 | More by ngeunit1

Beaver13

Colorado

1.88/5  rDev -48.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

12oz bottle. Pours a clear yellow gold with a smallish white head that quickly diminishes to a thin film.

The aroma is wheaty malt, lemon and some perfumey soap.

The flavor is a bit odd - kind of a medicinal fruity disinfectant. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied.

Overall, I didn't care for this. It tasted more like something I should clean my house with instead of beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 03:17:52 | More by Beaver13

Kranders

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a super clear golden hue with very little head. Nice spicy aroma that fills the nose. Really spicy and wheaty smell. Very interesting in the taste department. A little overly peppery I'd say, it kind of takes over the whole beer. A fair bit of sweetness and citrus, but only mildly noticeable with the pepper. Very thin and disappears pretty fast. Very interesting, but overall not the best.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 20:24:38 | More by Kranders

Spider889

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Great clarity. Golden color with a short tight white head.

S - Thyme and some sage type aromas. Someone had also mentioned Fruity Pebbles - I can sort of see that.

T - Definitely spicy, crushed white pepper and overall just very herbal, this is a spice rack beer.

M/O - Dry and smooth. Not bad for what it is (a wheat, spice beer). But I wasn't a very big fan.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 08:40:05 | More by Spider889

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a wine glass

A: Pours clear, very light golden color with 3 fingers of white head - lots of lively carbonation. Amazing head retention.

S: Tons of spices (as expected) - peppercorn, ginger, lemon zest, coriander. A very light breadiness.

T: Again, peppercorn, but with a stronger citrus note than in the aroma. A fairly strong ginger flavor as well, reminiscent of a nice ginger ale. There is little to no malt or hop flavor.

M: Very light with lots of carbonation.

O: I wish it had a bit more to back up the spices, but this is a very nice summer beer (drank in the middle of winter).

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 21:33:11 | More by coreyfmcdonald

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into weizen glass, bottled 08/20/11. Pours very hazy golden straw color with a nice 2-3 finger fairly dense white head with great retention that reduces to a fairly thick cap. Some spotty lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of big orange zest, lemonade, pepper, coriander, and some wheat spiciness. Some nice aromas here with good strength; a lot of citrus going on here. Taste of big lemon, coriander, clove, pepper, orange zest, spicy wheat and light breadiness. Flavors of citrus, clove, pepper, and big spices linger on the finish for a while. Some wheat tartness is also present on the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a slightly prickly yet smooth mouthfeel that drinks pretty easily. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming on the finish. Some heat from the peppercorn is also present. Over all this is a nice spiced wheat ale. The peppercorn spiciness throws off the balance, but it is still very drinkable and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 03:48:02 | More by superspak

buschbeer

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - It's a pale yellow and hazy. I got an inch of off white head.

S - The orange peel and coriander seem to stand out. Definitely, prevalent citrus overtones.

T - The orange peel seems to take center stage again. There is some spiciness as well. The lemon zest also becomes noticeable.

M - Moderate

O - As the name implies, this is a spicy beer. There is a lot going on in the taste of this beer. The more I drink it the more the different ingredients become apparent.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 23:34:37 | More by buschbeer

rsdaugherty

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle into pint glass
A – 1 finger off white head settled to a thin layer with little delay, brew is a slightly hazy rich straw gold, a weak 3.5
S – Citrus, wheat with mild florals & spice 3.5
T – A tasty wheat citrus centric flavor with peppercorns & coriander in the back seat for the ride, more orange than lemon, a mild bitterness with just a touch of heat, it all works well together 4
M – Light body, thinner but not watery, moderate carbonation 3.5
O – Drinkability was better than I expected and I’m wanting another, oddly enough I can see me craving this in winter or summer, mild heat lingers (and grows?) after each drink, as advertised a tasty wheat citrus peppercorn brew 4

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 03:37:09 | More by rsdaugherty

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Good starting head that leaves spotty lace. Quite clear given the wheat content. Gold color

More wheat to the nose than spice. Clean smell with a touch of sourness.

Strong home-brew flavors of yeast and malted grain. Strangely dry, almost astringent. Strong coriander and lemon zest flavors in the swallow. The aftertaste is brief. The body is what one would expect.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 00:55:08 | More by smcolw

prototypic

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nicie Spicie pours a lighter gold color. It’s a tad hazy. Looks to have an orange tint when held to light. It’s topped with a rather modest, white head. It only rises to about a finger before falling quickly. Lacing was definitely on the lighter side.

The nose is alright. It’s definitely weak and would benefit from more strength. It starts out with a grainy, earthy scent. It’s a little fruity and spicy. I’m definitely getting light lemon and orange. Coriander and pepper are easily noted. There’s an herbal quality to it that I can’t quite put my finger on. Hops are noted and definitely smell grassy. Noble hops? Perhaps. Alcohol is buried.

The flavor is consistent with the nose. It’s very earthy and grainy throughout. Pretty typical for an American wheat. Fruit flavors of lemon and orange are subtle, but effective. It’s definitely spicy, featuring pretty strong pepper and coriander flavors. Frankly, they taste a tad too strong. Hops are grassy and earthy. Tastes like noble hops to me. They add a slight bitter kick. It is a bit herbal. Honestly, it tastes like tea. Alcohol isn’t a factor at all. Finishes earthy and herbal.

Nicie Spicie has a light body that’s consistent with the style. Carbonation is mid-range, but has a slight crisp bite to it. It’s nice and refreshing. It definitely is easy drinking. I could definitely take down two or three of these, especially in warmer weather.

I’m a big fan of Short’s Brewing Company. Nicie Spicie is far from their best beer, but it isn’t bad at all. If it has any faults, it’s a bit too spicy and herbal. This is definitely a case where less would be more. It’s still a refreshing, enjoyable beer. Definitely worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 02:27:01 | More by prototypic

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a large 2 finger or so sized creamy head that fades at a med pace, with a bit of lacing, over hazy, murky, yeast chunk filled floaty darker golden orange colored beer.

Nose brings lots of spices, citrus and orange peel fresh cracked pepper, bit of coriander and spices, a slight sweet malty base, and some yeast.

Taste is strange... starts with orange gello, gelatin like, orange zest, citrus candy and tang, sweet citrus candy, some sweet malts, a bit of a yeasty flavor, then spices including coriander, ginger, a slight nutty holiday like spice, etc. Light malts and some sweetness, a bit of warming booze surprisingly for barley 5%. Some fresh cracked pepper brings a spicy taste and feel.

Mouth is a bit ligher bodied, decent carb with spices and tingly heat which feels like booze.

Overall kinda meh, spices are not really up my alley, not quite a beer I'm for or drinking usually. I'm all for experiment but this isn't quite what I was hoping. Semi sweet, yeasty, lots of spices and citrus, the spices make it feel like a 10% beer despite its actually half that.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 03:17:48 | More by jlindros

claytong

Vermont

4.28/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

didnt expect much from this 9 dollar six pack.

appearance - straw golden color. clear, small head with minor lacing.

smell - black pepper mostly, citrus, wheat, and some minor coriander

taste - lots of nice black pepper, citrus, sugar, wheat, coriander, very small amount of coriander

mouthfeel - very drinkable and light, good carbonation, wonderful spicing that makes me sad i dont get this year around for pairing

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 04:36:32 | More by claytong

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A bottle from Flick's. Served in a tumbler. Nice to see you again, old friend.

A: The pale wheat ale is, well, pale. A light straw color, transparently clear. A wispy head can't generate any lace.

S: Cracked peppercorns, lemons, and orange drive the nose. The black pepper stands out, a hot scent that, for a spell, pushes everything else out of the way.

T: Each sip starts with peppercorn and oranges, a striking pair -- hot and sweet at once. Lemon follows, filling the citrus void. Peppercorn lingers throughout, bringing more heat near the finish. Wheat brings a strong flavor, something beyond the usual tartness, that leaves a substantial finish alongside the peppercorn.

M: The pepper is strong, freshly ground rather than the cayenne blast of, say, Pepper Spite. Because the peppercorns take a break, disappearing briefly midsip, they never get too strong.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 20:50:56 | More by akorsak

Domingo

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My last bottle of Nicie Spicie from our short (no pun intended) distribution run from Short’s for GABF.
Pours an effervescent champagne color. There’s definitely some suspended yeast, but it’s bubbly and looks almost like sparkling wine.
The nose is all over the place. Lots of sweet/sour tropical fruity flavors ranging from pineapple and bananas to citric fruits like lemons and oranges. Like a witbier or American wheat gone mad.
The taste is also a bit zany, but different. Slightly sour up-front, with the traditional zest, huskiness, and slight banana from a wheat beer. The finish showcases that black pepper flavor, which seems right at home. A lingering sourness inter-playing with that bitter and slightly “hot” black pepper leaves me wanting another sip.
The only knock on it is that it seems to be a little flat after that initial carbonation rush.
I really like this, and I’d say it’s genre-bending like few other brews are.
The guys over at Short’s really are a special bunch of creative minds.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 15:14:56 | More by Domingo

womencantsail

California

2.73/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks again to Thorpe for this one.

A: The beer pours a light golden color with a thin white head.

S: A wonderful cleaning fluid aroma. Intense lemon and orange peel, maybe a bit of perfume. The pepper corn aroma is quite intense, too. Not very much coriander aroma.

T: As with the aroma, intense lemon peel aroma with the orange more in the background. As with the aroma, there is quite a bit of peppercorn character and very little coriander. Sort of watery.

M: Light bodied with low to medium carbonation.

O: Just too much cleaning solution.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 22:29:29 | More by womencantsail

Dope

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Slightly clouded golden pour with a stark white bubbly head. Fades fairly quickly but good lacing.

S: A lot like a witbier. Coriander, lemon and orange for sure. Not sure I can smell the peppercorns but there is a tingling in my nose to let me know that it's there.

T: Wheaty up front. Can definitely taste the pepper here. Nice! As mentioned, the coriander lemon and orange are noticeable as well. Pepper grows even more noticeable in the aftertaste. Very unique flavor. Not really sure how to describe it but surprisingly tasty. Almost a little...salty? in the aftertaste too. Herbal quality shows up in the aftertaste as the beer warms as well.

M: A bit tingly from all the nice spices but otherwise smooth and refreshing.

O: Underrated beer, in my opinion. It's not some amazing RIS or anything but it is very unique and I like all aspects of it.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 02:48:25 | More by Dope

chugalug06

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Brew pours very slowly, head builds slow. Nicie one finger head builds as a foamy white. Brew is almost a light pink color... Lots of nicie yellow and orange dominates the brew. Brew is thin with nicie clarity. Head builds slowly when swirled, lacing does remain in small amounts.

S - Big orange and lemon scent, Very NICIE!!! Some small spicie peppercorns are quite present too. Very nicie sweetness. lots of light nicie wheat found too.

T - Refreshingly nicie!!! Very lemon and orange. Almost a salty spicie brew, it makes you want to drink more with every sip. Some nicie spicie hits the tongue HARD! There's definitely a wheat base under this brew.

M - Thin and light. In fact, my only complaint is the brew is too thin, it needs more body. Perfect carbonation, zero bitterness.

O - What a nicie surprise! Tried at GABF and randomly found locally in a 6-pack! Perfect brew for a hot spicie day! Wonderful. Awesome work Shorts!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 00:56:45 | More by chugalug06

GilGarp

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served chilled into a pint glass.

Nicie Spicie is a slightly hazy golden yellow color. The white head is thick at first but settles quickly to a creamy skim layer on top.

Aroma is really interesting and enjoyable. The citrus zest, coriander and pepper really come through strong here. It's well judged though so everything is in balance.

The flavor is impressive as well. This is a beer unlike any other I've had. Intense lemon and orange flavor up front, some honey-like sweetness, then a bitter punch towards the middle, and it finishes herbal, spicy, and tart.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and complex with pretty much every taste bud in your mouth experiencing something all in one sip.

This is the second one I've had from this sixer (the first was about a week ago) and I'm glad I didn't review it then. This is a beer that gets better with experience.

A wildly unusual and interesting beer to enjoy. Seek this one out if you're into the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 23:35:57 | More by GilGarp

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Glad to see this one in Denver, I have always wanted to try it.

Pours a dull, slightly hazy orange/yellow/gold color. Head is about 1 finger, white with medium size bubbles. Slick, almost no lacing.

Spiced aroma, but more so from the zests of orange and lemon. The peppercorn is well hidden. Floral. Soft bread is underneath.

Orange zest is prominent here. Lemon is next. There's a bit of rind in there, like they cut too deep in the orange skin and got the white part. Kind of like tannin without the pucker. Peppercorn is absent, too bad. I would like to see more carbonation to lift up the zests, because they seem syrupy to me on the end. I think that would have helped big time imho.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 18:07:17 | More by Mebuzzard

ArrogantB

Colorado

2.3/5  rDev -36.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Picked this up in a mixed sixer from Mondo Vino along with other Short's brews. Golden yellow color, looks just fine. Smell is really heavy spices to the point where I don't want to drink it. Perfume-like almost, just obnoxious. The flavor is like drinking potpurri and shampoo, just way too heavy on the spices. If I had bought a sixer of this I would have returned it.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 16:20:08 | More by ArrogantB

portia99

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of a couple of Shorts brews to show up in MA recently. 12oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a hazy pale straw golden color. A single finger of white rocky foam sits atop briefly, falling to the surface leaving behind loose webs of lacing.

S - Herbal, fresh grassy hops, peppery and citrusy - especially oranges, but lemons come on strong as the beer warms just a bit. Wheaty, think I'm also picking up a bit of barnyardy funk I wasn't expecting, but is quite appreciated.

T - A short lived tartness as the beer first touches the tongue that disappears to the herbal and wheaty character and a sharp mid-level hop bitterness. Turns quite dry and earthy thru mid sip and all the way to the swallow. Past the swallow, I'm left with a distinct black pepper "warmth".

M - Thinnish body with medium carbonation level. Whole range of stuff going on here...starts tart, turns grainy, earthy and dry in the middle and lingers with a peppery warmth at the end. Quite intriguing...sorta like three different beers in one. Technically speaking, this is a bit messed up and odd...the experience however is somewhat unique and thought provoking - I think I like it.

O - Another interesting and unique Shorts beer. Part hit, part miss, but overall its not bad as an occasional beer. One of those beers that is good to share, if for nothing else to experience the conversation and differences of opinion that this creates.

M -

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 22:39:35 | More by portia99

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Last of the Shorts in MA from what I can tell...

A- Hazy light yellow beer pours into my pint glass. A creamy white head builds up to a finger or so but falls fairly quickly. Small ring and cloud stay but not much lace.

S- WOWZA. From several feet away I get huge notes of peppercorns and lemons, very intense. Upon further inspection it is like some sort of peppercorn lemon custard. Just a bit of coriander.

T- Skeptical after the huge aroma but I gotta do it. Heavy on the fresh cracked pepper throughout with a very nice lemon/citrus flavor. Also the coriander comes through nicely. Didn't make my face change or cringe.

MF- Light body with moderate silky carbonation. Leaves some bitterness, spice and tartness on the palate.

It sounds weird but it is like peppered citrus "ade", and it somehow works nicely. Good fruit and spice use, skeptical after a sniff but satisfied after a sip.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 01:37:39 | More by cbutova

Florida9

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pale light yellow in color. Slightly hazy. Forms a very thin, very white head that really isn't much more than a surface coating. Some light lacing.

S: Typical wheat smell in the background. Then a heavy aroma of black pepper and coriander. Some lemon as well, but it is less pronounced.

T: Starts off with a strong lemon quality that blends well with the wheat base. Then coriander and some pepper, but to a lesser extent. Tart on the finish.

M: Lighter bodied. Tart. Spicy. Heavier carbonation.

O: A decent spin on a wheat beer. Spices and lemon complement the beer nicely, much more so than I expected they would.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 01:34:53 | More by Florida9

GDBEERMAN

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into Bruges tulip.
A: Pours a big and bold hazy yellow body, with very low head formation and retention. Low level of carbonation for the style.

S: Up front, bold aroma of dank weed. Medium intensity and a very smooth and mellow character.

TM: Very nice blend of lemon and citrus. Hop bitterness is low but flavor is high. The mouthfeel is very low on carbonation level and that of lingering character is very low. Slight spice on the finish.

O: A nice spiced wheat, would like to see a bit more spice, but very well balanced. The aroma is the showcase of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 01:43:42 | More by GDBEERMAN

vandemonian

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Short's Nicie Spicie is a lovely complex beer that combines lemon and pepper. It's my first beer from Short's and it was delicious.

A: Straw colour and a good 5 mm head that lasts. 4.5

S: Mild citrus aroma with some subtle spice notes. Also, some floral hop aromas. Yum. 4.5

T: Malt, apple and lemon into a spicy, tangy finish. There is a lot going on but the end result is very pleasant. Lemon and pepper. 4.5

M: Foamy. 4

O: Lovely complex beer that combines lemon and pepper. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 03:55:46 | More by vandemonian