Short's Mystery Stout - Short's Brewing Company

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a touch of hops but it’s a bit metallic as well.

T: The taste starts with a very hearty roasted malt character that is quickly followed by flavors of milk chocolate, black coffee and oats. The hops presence is mild as it should be for this kind of beer but there’s enough to provide some balance. There is some dark fruit in the background. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry and slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid 2IPA worth drinking for while.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:51:33 | More by TheManiacalOne

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The molasses on this really seems to overpower and overshadow everything else on this beer. It's thick and consistent on it's body and flavor, but the molasses really takes over things and unfortunately that's that. Interesting, yes. But the molasses ruins any chance the beer may have had to deliver any degree of subtle or otherwise character.

I still do appreciate this beer, but the nearly one-sided nature of it is nearly too much for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 02:21:36 | More by RblWthACoz

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Kate the Great snifter.

Appearance - Dark brown, not quite black. Good sized khaki head. Lacing and some wisps.

Smell - Well, there's a ton of molasses in here. I like it. Oatmeal is prominent too. Good thing the adjuncts work well with the aromas of the base stout, because they used a ton of it in here. Boozy.

Taste - Strong molasses flavor. Stronger than the oatmeal. Roasty malts give a bit of a coffee flavor in the end. Slightly bitter. As much of a chocolate bitter as hop. Strong lingering molasses finish.

Mouthfeel - On the boozy side. Not quite chewy, but medium-heavy. Thins out in the end leaving some booze and molasses.

Overall - Distinct phases to this beer. Oatmeal, molasses, coffee, and then molasses again. Interesting and tasty, but nothing I'd trade for again.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 00:49:43 | More by Alieniloquium

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip. Big thanks to warnerry for including this as an extra!

A: Black body with dark brown highlights and a finger of coarse light-brown head. Ok.

S: Rich molasses, darkly roasted malt, baker's chocolate, bitter coffee, substantial booze. Really intense, quite good.

T: Smooth chocolate and molasses up front, followed quickly by raisiny dark fruit, more bitter chocolate, and gigantic alcohol presence. Long, bitter, boozy aftertaste. Both good and bad, with a bit more of the good.

M: Thick, sticky, creamy. Excellent.

O: I really enjoyed this one, and just wish that the alcohol had been a bit more restrained. The roasted flavors were so intense that I expected them to mask the booze, but it was just unmaskable. If I could get this easily I'd certainly pick up a couple to toss in the cellar for a couple years, but I don't think I'd seek out another fresh bottle.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 02:03:09 | More by woosterbill

warnerry

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottles 2/9/11; consumed 4/11/12

A - Pours black with almost two fingers of brown head. Head is nice and pillowy and persists for awhile before fading to a collar. Some spotty lacing is left behind.

S - Cocoa, roasted malt, bittersweet chocolate and faint oats in the aroma. There is also some noticeable alcohol on the back end.

T - Bittersweet chocolate, roasted malts with a bit of char and cocoa. A bit of smoke, some dark fruits, and a touch of bitterness on the finish.

M - Velvety smooth mouthfeel with a dry, bitter finish.

O - Tasty imperial stout. Definitely leans more toward the roasted/charred/bitter end, with very little sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 01:25:43 | More by warnerry

HuskyinPDX

Washington

2.58/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle opened on 1-22-12.

A - Pours a dark brownt with a dark tan head. Good retention.

S - Chocolate, wheat, and oats.

T - Bitter chocolate, that's about it.

D - Low carbonation, and a light body.

O - Gross. What the hell? Is this a bad bottle, or a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 04:31:23 | More by HuskyinPDX

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Alesmith Horny Devil snifter.

A- pours a thick dark brown. 2 finger dark tan head with some amoeba blotches of lacing.

S- roasted malts, chocolate, some bitterness. You can pick up some molasses.

T- semi-sweet chocolate, roasted malts, and some sour & bitterness from the molasses.

M- full body and medium carbonation. Has some bitter and dryness at the finish.

O- good imperial stout, but nothing different or special.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 04:11:55 | More by kawilliams81

n2185

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours black with two fingers of dark tan head that fades into a thin layer with a little lacing.

S: Roasted malts with sweet, creamy cocoa aromas at first. The finish has notes of licorice and molasses.

T: Roasted malts again with notes of roasted coffee and semi-sweet chocolate. There is a sweetness in the middle with flavors of molasses and licorice. The finish is lightly bitter and charred.

M: Thick body with low carbonation, this beer is nice and creamy.

O: A pretty decent imperial stout. Nothing to go nuts for, exactly, but tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 05:51:36 | More by n2185

Dope

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pretty much pitch black with a big, dense mocha colored head. Head retains very well, takes forever to settle. Lacing tattoos the glass everywhere.

S: Strong bitter roast (almost to the point of being coffee-like) complimented by lots of bitter chocolate. There is a nice sweet molasses smell and the oatmeal is just a subtle hint. Delicious.

T: Whoa. A lot of flavors at once. Up front it is bitter roast and oatmeal, then the chocolate and sweet molasses kicks in to subdue it. Very roasty, chocolately and sweet. The oatmeal gives it a creamy smoothness. This is really big and really tasty! As it warms, the bitter roast/coffee flavors linger nicely in the aftertaste.

M: Pretty thick with lots of creamy goodness. Smooth as silk.

O: This one really surprised me. Somewhat lackluster reviews but the beer blew me away. The bottle is about a year old, maybe a little age is required? The review below this one mentions brownies and kahlua - it's not far off. This is a decadent dessert beer. I was close to giving some 5s, that's how good it was.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:59:37 | More by Dope

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from 2011.

Pours opaque black with a half inch head of brown. A partial skim coat and a few short strands of lacing for the duration.

Dark fudge, mild chocolate, creamed oats, and coffee-drizzeled nougat start the nose. Hints of caramel and Oreo shells follow through.

Full bodied with a lush, velvety mouthfeel.

Sweet, chewy malt with brownie batter lead off the palate. Kahlua, biscuity oats, and molasses follow through.

Finishes with lingering fudge and chocolate syrup.

Tasty stout, just not as impressive as the bigger version I tried years ago.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 01:51:33 | More by brewandbbq

ahq514

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into NG globe glass. This beer was purchased almost a year ago.

Pours a nice dark color with a fluffy, one finger mocha colored head. It diminishes fairly rapidly to a film atop the beer. Appears to have low carbonation. Light lacing.

Aroma is typical of what I would have expected. Roasty, with a hint of chocolate. Some brown sugar and oats as well. When swirled, there is a sweet molasses flavor that seems to be activated.

Not as pleasant as I thought it would be from the aroma. Light oats, roast, and light chocolate flavors come through mostly. There is a light bitterness, but nothing overly noticeable. There is a certain brown sugary sweetness to it as well.

Good mouthfeel. Body on the heavier side, light carbonation. Slightly creamy, but not as much as I expected.

A good beer overall, but nothing that blows your socks off. Plenty of other imperial stouts I'd grab first, but this is a solid one. Would enjoy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 05:44:24 | More by ahq514

LadyOfMuchBeer

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle served in pint glass.

A-less than 1/4 inch head, fades fast to barely any lacing. not much visible carbonation. Pours a shade away from black, no light to be seen, sticky, but not too think.

S-sweet molasses, oatmeal, chocolate and coffee, slight booze on the nose.

T-bitter chocolate hits hard on the front, malty in the middle, oatmeal is nicely present. mild hops finish with a sweet molasses touch.

F-not as sticky as I expected. a clean, slightly bitter feel.

Overall I like this...a lot.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 04:24:08 | More by LadyOfMuchBeer

BeRanger

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours jet black with a half finger of brown foam, I assume their be more from a bottle however this was out of a Growler.

S - Roasted malts, chocolate and you can smell a little of the alcohol.

T - Rich in Chocolate and Oats, a little bit of a kick to it.

M - Medium body, light carbonation. Pretty strong flavors with a little bit of heat, but it still finishes relatively smooth.

O - Another good Brew from Shorts - I wasn't quite expecting what I got but it was still a nice treat. I look forward to trying this in a bottle or on draught as I think I definitely lost a little of the flavor being from a growler.

Serving type: growler

12-25-2011 17:45:03 | More by BeRanger

EkimGram

New York

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: 12oz bottle poured into standard pint glass. Colour is a dark, silky brown with a thin, chocolate head.

Smell: Very strong roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and alcohol.

Taste: Surprisingly tame. Again, lots of roasted malts with a toffee/coffee backing. Finishes with a bitter and sweet bite.

Mouthfeel: I was expecting a full body but I was surprised to find this wasn't at all. A little sticky and just a hint of carbonation.

Overall: Not the most complex Imperial Stout I've had but it is certainly not the worst. Taste could be deeper and more complex but regardless, it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 02:52:47 | More by EkimGram

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another cool bottle flown over the pond by Kkottonmouthkngz. Thanks again for hanging out man, and cheers for the brews!

From a bottle into a snifter
Oatmeal stout with cocoa and molasses
Vintage: 2009 ABV: 10.8%

APPEARANCE: Dark brown pour yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, fluffy, tan head with good retention. Black body with medium carbonation evident. Head slowly fades to a good wisp and clings to the sides of the glass. A ring and touches of wisp remain leaving some very nice lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Roasted malts with light cocoa and molasses notes on the nose. Oats are there, as well as some dark chocolate. Nice nose and medium in strength.

TASTE: Roasted malts, burnt malts, and some definite cocoa and chocolate flavors, moving into a bitter and sweet molasses finish. Aftertaste is big and persistent with lots of bitter chocolate, coffee, roasted malts and sweet molasses. Lots of stout flavor, and plenty roasted, burnt, with a good dose of bitterness. Pretty nice really.

PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. Slightly light on the palate, creamy enough, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. No heat.

OVERALL: This is a solid, solid imperial stout, and all the advertised elements were there for the taking. Very roasted, burnt and charred base with lots of interesting chocolate and molasses battling it out in the forefront. Plenty of flavor and complexity; only a fuller palate is required to really push the score beyond the point of no return. Thanks again for the bottles Kkottonmouthkngz. This was a real surprise.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 12:50:07 | More by Jeffo

Stockfan42

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep black body that despite my best efforts lets no lighting through. A foamy dark tan head that thins down to a lace.

Smells of dark chocolate and coffee beans with a light boozy smell in the backround.

Tastes almost like a big nutfilled brownie. Some coffee and oatmeal as well. Nicely malted and a nice bitter bite at the end.

Mouthfeel is not to heavy, pretty creamy and leaves a nice bitter after taste.

Overall this is a pretty damn good beer. I'm glad mass finally landed some shorts brews and this is one of my favorite oatmeal stouts to date.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 02:17:24 | More by Stockfan42

mdvatab

Indiana

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle (received in a trade w/ a Michigan BA) into a snifter.

Aroma: Sweet, malty, fruity goodness. I catch powdery cocoa sweetness, as well as fruity blueberry. Great start!

Appearance: Pitch black body. Light tan 2 finger head slowly settles to 1 finger. Decent lacing.

Flavor: Sweet blueberry, cocoa, and strong bitterness lingers at the end. The hoppy (and partially alcoholic) bitterness unfortunately does not blend very well with the malt.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium low, creamy carbonation. Slight warming sensation from alcohol.

Overall: Not a bad imperial stout. (I've definitely had worse!) A bit too much bitterness at the end, and I'm led to believe that this one might mellow a bit over time. It might just be a subjective dislike, as I've heard great things about Short's. Looking forward to trying my second bottle!

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 02:17:00 | More by mdvatab

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #53 (June 2011):

Head rises high, fluffy and attentive. How much darker can an Imperial Stout be? Chocolaty, boozy and roasty controlled chaos ... the nose is happy. Creamy thick body is nearly silky. Alcohol is polite enough to open the door for all of the other flavors first, and slowly comes in last with its warmth. Smoky roasted flavor meets a bold burnt-sugar sweetness, cocoa and a black currant fruitiness. Roasted flavors keep the sweetness from spilling over. Hops? Meek but there. Sweet burnt finish. Sipping material here. If you’re looking for something strong, dark and chocolaty, give this one a go.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 04:03:13 | More by BeerAdvocate

horshack7

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Poured into a snifter this beer is down right black and dark all rolled into one black abyss of beery goodness. On top is a very thin head that thins out very quick.

Aroma: Roasted hops are in the front. Malts are roasted the same way as the malts very dark. Oats with minor coffee notes. A little bit of booze in the nose. Faint wood grain way in the back.

Taste: A sharp bite of malts like a bolt of lightning hitting my palate. Lots of carbonation for such a stout. Semi-sweet chocolate with bready notes. Hops are very dry and floral lots of bite from those as well.

Notes: This one is a tasty sipper great for any cool or even a cold night. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 22:26:34 | More by horshack7

vande

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: a deep, dark, thick looking treat that still, 20 minutes after being poured as a little brown layer of foam floatin on the top....

S: Chocolate nibs, coco-coffee, sweetness... Smells delightful!

T: powdery chocolate up front, like a nice soft brownie.. with a bit of coffee present.

M: Medium bodied, somewhat creamy brew that makes it nice to sip on during a cool evening...

0: glad I grabbed a couple!

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 03:34:12 | More by vande

scottfrie

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into Portsmouth snifter. Thanks to jbck109 for the bottle.

A: Pours black with a good sized dark coffee colored head that faded into a fuzzy film leaving a great network of sticky lacing down the glass.
S: Dominant but light notes of cocoa and chocolate. I get a few notes of coffee as well but no molasses.
T: Hearty flavors of cocoa and fudge brownies. I get a touch of sweeter molasses-like flavors but this beer doesn’t scream syrup. The finish is full of dark roasted malts, and the aftertaste is fudge-like and lingering.
M: Thickish body with a heavy, creamy, mouthfeel, and bubbly, frothy carbonation. The double digit alcohol content is hidden very well.
O: One of the better Short’s beers I’ve had – probably because it’s fairly normal tasting. This is a very solid stout. It may not be as complex or heavy as some of the great in the style, but I would not pass up an opportunity to drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 02:22:00 | More by scottfrie

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Steve, 12ozer into some snifters. Thanks dude.

Poured a deep dark brown, a shade or two off black. Some brown-sugar coloured head, with moderate retention and decent lace. Nose has some roasted malts, milk chocolate, with some caramel and molasses notes going on. Milder hint of vanilla and other general sweet notes. Taste has more milk chocolate, roastiness with some caramel and molasses sweetness. Good thick body brought upon by the oats. Lingering roastiness on the palate, and the sweeter notes prevail along side (vanilla-like). No sense of the alcohol, and I was shocked when I found out this was >10%. Quite drinkable and easily revisitable, a nice offering all around.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 00:19:09 | More by liamt07

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Many thanks to cbeer88(and Gushue3 too!) for this!

Pours black as night with a nice dark tan head, laces wonderfully.

Lot's of sweet chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, caramel, and some coffee.

Taste is huge chocolate, dark chocolate! Molasses is there, and light coffee. Roasted malts and slight burnt.

Full bodied, but not entirely chewy.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 03:15:42 | More by EgadBananas

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Onyx black body with a copious amount of head for a stout, cinnamon in color.

Wow, this thing is loaded with chocolate. Not the artificial chocolate like Moka or other chocolate stouts of the like, but a genuine rich cocoa and molasses scents.

This shines in the flavor along with hints of vanilla. It's extremely sweet and a perfect dessert beer, as in having this for dessert, not with dessert. It almost becomes too much by the end of the beer.

Mouthfeel is sweet, rich, and creamy. Spot on.

Aside from Humalupalicious, this is easiliy the best beer I've had from Shorts. Plus, it's a monster with the abv and was a nice night capper. I'd recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 19:31:24 | More by Vonerichs

RomaniIteDomum

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from one of the 12oz bottles.

Pours black with a chocolate mousse head that sticks around for quite some time. This beer looks like a dessert.

Smells as advertised of oatmeal, molasses, and chocolate. I also pick op some maple, peanut, and espresso notes. I love the complexity and how everything fits in well together.

Sweet with chocolate and toasted oats in the front. Syrup and more chocolate give way to espresso and some mousse. There is a hint of lingering peanuts.

The feel is rich and velvety. Great body.

Overall, this was a real treat. This is an awesome desert beer and it seems that I like it mroe than most other reviewers.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 16:40:42 | More by RomaniIteDomum