Anniversary Ale - Short's Brewing Company

techfed87

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice orange head. Color is a reddish amber.

Smell is very floral, with a nice, sour hoppy characteristic to it.

First sip is very hoppy, but at the same time quite circus-filled as well, almost like a grapefruit.

One of the big selling points of this beer comes from the blood oranges that they add to it, and I can say it really gives life to the flavor.

A very delicious beer and an excellent way to celebrate their sixth year of production. Very good job, Shorts!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 00:41:11 | More by techfed87

minterro

Michigan

3.79/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

bought at Spartan Spirits for a little over 2 bucks a single

Paired with peanuts

Very powerful sweet moscato smell to it. Not much bitterness in the smell, but the alcohol tones are well pronounced. A lively beer with ruby red color. Head is very fizzy and fades very fast, leaving behind no signs of lacing.

The taste is not nearly as intense as I expected. The addition of peppery spice is made present (very much so) in the finish. Citrus hops are present but a bit overpowered by the spicyness. Dry but not bitter in the finish. Very crisp and sharp on the mouth. Alcohol is very well hidden, even as it warms.

I found this beer enjoyable, but would probably not seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:42:12 | More by minterro

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-18-2013 01:22:09 | More by HarmonMW

alelover

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-18-2013 00:38:13 | More by alelover

WolvAlerine

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-18-2013 00:28:47 | More by WolvAlerine

c64person

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-17-2013 22:05:35 | More by c64person

Alextricity

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

$2 bottle poured into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint".

Appearance: Pours a sunset sort of orange color with about a finger of a white head, that dies down pretty quickly. Decent bit of carbonation coming from the bottom of the glass. Quite significant alcohol legs.

Smell: Grapefruit, orange, and mango dominate the aroma... very fresh smell. Pleasant and inviting.

Taste: Interesting ... I've never had a Wheatwine, so I didn't know what to expect. This is very distinctive. The peppery note coats the mouth but isn't too pungent, and there's also a citrus flavor with quite a sour quality, which I'd assume is the yeast used in this beer. The aftertaste is heavy on the wheat, with almost a briny flavor as well... Summit hops? A strange mix, but it's manageable. Peppery, sour orange juice brine is the essential flavor here, with a wheaty, minorly burning finish. The feel is surprisingly light, as I was expecting a thicker beer. I'm glad it's not too thick though, as this beer could easily become cloying if that were the case. The aftertaste is probably my favorite part about Anniversary Ale. Love the wheat, orange, pepper flavor.

This just isn't quite my style. It's not bad by any means, though. In fact, I'd consider it to be a VERY GOOD beer just because I never thought "Peppery, sour orange juice brine" would be an appealing flavor. Definitely glad to have tried this, and it's a unique beer, but I'd not have it often.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 17:28:32 | More by Alextricity

avschmitt

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-13-2013 15:21:44 | More by avschmitt

ryand14

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-13-2013 12:28:19 | More by ryand14

Benny3000

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-13-2013 11:54:52 | More by Benny3000

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: a light orange color, good clarity. small white head that fades rather quickly to nothing

Smell: juicy oranges, more citrus, peppercorns and wheat. Pretty complex smell. the juicy oranges are a refreshing smell

Taste: strong orange flavor, comes in nice and juicy, some bitter orange come through, I believe its from the orange zest used, but it could be from hops. peppercorns come in slightly subdued but definitely there. all of this is lain over a wheat body. The juicy taste is just unbeatable. the balance is spot on and its very complex

Mouthfeel: kinda softer and lighter. actually refreshing which is weird but good for this heavy and strong of a beer. very hot on the backend too

Overall: i picked up the last one of these at the store when i had thought i missed it. and am i glad i did. this is a great beer. i wish i coulda got a whole sixpack. the tastes are spot. just delicous

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 01:24:09 | More by SportsandJorts

Tek9ne

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-11-2013 22:02:19 | More by Tek9ne

DeviousSpirits

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-11-2013 20:20:12 | More by DeviousSpirits

Kerrie

Michigan

3/5  rDev -24.1%

05-11-2013 01:17:59 | More by Kerrie

HardyA

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-11-2013 00:39:16 | More by HardyA

Vogie

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +20.3%

05-10-2013 01:22:55 | More by Vogie

ereye

Michigan

3/5  rDev -24.1%

05-09-2013 22:55:11 | More by ereye

Slay40

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice appearance overall

Very orange nose

Tasted peppercorn up front, with citrus finish

Very nice mouth feel

Overall another great offering from Shorts.

I can see why this is highly coveted very drinkable for a high alcohol beer
will buy this one year after year

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:00:31 | More by Slay40

beergorrilla

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

04-16-2013 06:20:43 | More by beergorrilla

Giggy

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

04-04-2013 04:17:38 | More by Giggy

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

03-02-2013 00:57:13 | More by SaisonRichBiere

Agentveba

5/5  rDev +26.6%

02-24-2013 21:35:52 | More by Agentveba

ScottP

New Hampshire

2.5/5  rDev -36.7%

02-23-2013 21:12:39 | More by ScottP

JohnnieNepal

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

02-22-2013 21:43:06 | More by JohnnieNepal

tectactoe

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Mike for splitting this with me. Aged almost one year (2012 vintage). Pours a slightly red-tinted copper color with decent clarity and a light, off-white, wispy head that fizzles away in a short amount of time. The aroma is buckled down with a nice pungency of juicy oranges and tangerines. But not just any oranges - these are "blood" oranges.

I've never had a blood orange and I don't know exactly what they are, but if they're anything like blood diamonds, then I will not be having this beer ever again. I'm joking. But seriously, these oranges smell very fresh, ripe, and juicy. Light peppercorn on the nose mixes and fades in with the slight phenol character I'm picking up from the alcohol. It's not too strong, however - the oranges are always dominant. Light hop character, leafy and spicy, but not very "bitter" smelling.

This is another case of the taste being an exact replica of the smell in drinkable form. Oranges engulf the palate right out of the gate. For a second, they almost give a tart character - not quite puckering, but definitely borderline sour. Very fresh and vibrant as it slowly cascades into a bitter-sweetness. As this is happening, the phenol flavors come out a bit and the alcohol asserts itself - at 10% ABV, this beer is certainly no slouch.

Some other light citrus and grapefruit flavors are coupled with the oranges, but the orange definitely stands out the most. Peppercorns are barely noticeable, but can be found if you're looking. They provide a light spiciness that almost camouflages with the hop character - a mild leafy and herbal tone that adds more flavor than real bitterness. Medium-ish body, low-medium carbonation, smooth on the palate.

Another tasty beer from Shorts with another ingredient I've never tasted in real life and never would've thought to put in a beer. Nice execution with the "blood oranges" to give a very authentic and ripe flavor.

EDIT: 5/9/2013

Enjoyed a 2013 Anniversary Ale fresh. The blood oranges are a little more vibrant and assertive and the peppercorn is toned down just a touch, but it still an integral part of the brew. Hop character is also a bit more prominent. Mouth feel is better than I remember, and the juicy, sweet, and nearly tart blood orange finish is fantastic. Don't know if this is "better" fresh, or the 2013 batch was just a little more to my liking, but I've gotta bump the score. This is great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 22:11:48 | More by tectactoe