Anniversary Ale - Short's Brewing Company

claytong

Vermont

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance - a true blood orange in color. impressive. eggshell head that is fluffy and sticky and sticks around till i finish my sample.

smell - orange peel and juice, some tartness... not sure where thats coming from, spices (hard to name), perhaps white peppercorn and others. some citrus

taste - follows the nose. very original, crazy but in a good way.

mouthfeel - drinkable, medium to thick bodied, curious how this would age. good carbonation for the body.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 14:31:22 | More by claytong

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.15/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is ruby hued and transparent, with 1/4" head and decent lacing. The aroma is primarily of hops, with a present alcohol sweetness. The flavor starts out well, with hops in the driver seat, masking the alcohol for the most part. Unfortunately, the finish brings an oddness and harshness that negatively impacts my enjoyment to a great degree. The sweetness mounts rapidly, and I could see this beer becoming cloying quickly. A couple of ounces was more than enough for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 21:22:24 | More by Huhzubendah

drabmuh

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I really enjoyed this beer but the more I drank and the warmer it got the worse it got. Bummer.

Beer is red and clear with a thin white head of small bubbles, lots of lacing and a nice level of carbonation. Looks good!

Aroma is quite hoppy and very sweet with a hint of alcohol but the alcohol is well masked by the hops.

Beer is sweet and quite hoppy, thin up front with a moderately dry finish. The overall beer is quite good too. As the beer warms unfortunately it takes on this medicinal sweetness and harsh finish with a really bad aftertaste of grainy acidity and a little sulfur. I don't know what the deal with this beer is but overall I did not enjoy it. In the beginning I really liked it but it was all downhill from there.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 15:55:12 | More by drabmuh

kbutler1

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled at the Great Taste of the MW. The 2010 Anniversary edition. Pours a truly awesome blood orange reddish tan color with a tan head. Liquid ruby comes to mind. Grapefruit and orange aromas in the nose, very pleasant. Very sweet and malty start that then turns slightly bitter. Medium mouthfeel. This is a beer that I hate to rush and drink as it really is very good.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2010 18:22:45 | More by kbutler1

emmasdad

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I was intrigued to happen upon a sample of this one, as I am a big fan of properly done wheatwines. Poured a nice medium orange color, with a bit of off-white foam on top. Great aromas here, blood orange, lemon zest and sweet malt. On the palate, this one was fairly alcoholic, but in a very good way, but the fresh citrus really cut what could have been a cloying sweetness, and raised this one to the level of greatness. One of the better beers I've had this year.

Had a couple bottles of this one, and it did not approach the greatness of the tap version, so I will adjust my score accordingly. The cloudy pour and sour orange flavor detract a bit from what was great about this one on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2010 02:19:37 | More by emmasdad

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap @ The Great Taste of the Midwest (Madison, WI) on 8/14/10. Several samples served in a tasting mug.

Pours a clear cranberry color with a thin covering of off-white head. This fizzles down fairly quickly, leaving just some light spotty lace behind. The aroma is mostly all wheat and oranges in the nose, with a sweet tanginess and juicy fruit character that is working really well for me. Some light sugars, spice, and floral hops all round this out nicely.

The taste is sweet and tangy in the mouth with the aforementioned blend of wheat and oranges but then a tart spicy blast settles into the middle portion of the profile, before settling into a strong finish of pithy earthy bitterness. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied with a good feeling smooth crispness to it which keeps this moving well. As for the alcohol, I did get some warmth out of this while imbibing but it absolutely blew my mind when I found out that this was almost 12%. I would have never had guessed that, as this remained such a smooth sipper throughout.

A Blood Orange Wheat Wine sounded a little crazy when I first heard about this but the flavors all just worked very nicely for me here. I love that this didn't skip on the orange flavor and the addition of peppercorns really upped the zestiness of this to a new level. The finish was a little overly bitter IMHO but otherwise, this was pretty great stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 16:44:44 | More by Kegatron

webmanspidey

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Short's... a dark orange/brown color poured into a snifter.

This is an interesting mix of a beer.. smell is very citrus-like, but an abnormal type of citrus for a beer.. a very heavy orange as opposed to the usual grapefruit and lemon. As hoppy and piney as is typical for a strong IPA, but the powerful orange flavor puts a unique twist on it.

Fairly alcoholic, very unique and interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2009 18:27:26 | More by webmanspidey

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the brewpub, a wheatwhine with a lot of oranges and peppercorn. Dark brown and lacey. Full mouthfeel. Malty and licorice. Refreshing and how this would be amazing with a meal. Was fairly average in aroma, not as complex as expected. Had aged in bottle form, and was very rich, thanks Steve! same rating.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2009 13:00:39 | More by northyorksammy

HopHobo

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

I had this on tap at the anniversary party in May and totally forgot to review it. Lucky for me we were at Short's on 8/1/09 and they still had it on tap.

The first time I had this beer I remember it came with a blood orange that I eventually put into the beer and I thought really added to the flavor of orange in the beer. That was not the case this time around as the beer, when it came to me had no visble head and very limited if any carbonation. The color is very unique though for a wheatwine as its basically a deep purple color which I'm sure comes from the hundreds of pounds of blood oranges that were added to this brew. The smell is sweet and malty with a lot of orange smell and because its blood oranges it smells of bitter oranges, I really didn't pick up too much in the way of alcohol in the smell. The taste is pretty damn bitter and a little bit of an ass kicker....kinda hard to drink. The blood oranges are the dominate flavor and really bring out any hoppy bitterness in the beer...I puckered my lips a few times. As the beer warms it becomes a bit easier to drink, but this is certainly a sipper as it has a heavy mouthfeel.

All and All another very unique brew from Short's, but I had one glass at the Anniversary party and one this time as well and I don't think I could really drink anymore than that....its pretty strong. Now in all fairness I've had Joe's last 3 anniversary ales and all of them have been very very strong, but in the case of a double or triple IPA I think it works better than it does with this Wheatwine...still glad to try it and Congrats to Short's for 5 yeard and continued success!!

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2009 03:26:40 | More by HopHobo

kbeals

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Has a ruby red hue with an off-white head. A good descriptor for this beer is pretty.

S- Oranges and pepper are the first things I notice, also has a bit of a piney, hoppy smell to it. No alcohol aroma surprisingly.

T- The oranges work well in this beer, it helps to lend a sweetness to the beer and also mutes the burn from the alcohol a bit. Also has a big peppermint taste to it, very intriguing to say the least.

M- Very smooth and medium bodied.

D- The high ABV limited me to only one of these, but I'm very glad I was able to try this beer, definitely a different experience.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2009 15:49:59 | More by kbeals

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Deep, ruby kissed copper with a medium tan head that reduces down to a thin cap that leaves spotty lace.

S-Like alcoholic tang! Full of alcohol fumes and ORANGES! A good smack of malty sweetness kicks in on the back end.

T-Mmmmm, big, fat luscious hit of oranges followed by an alcohol burn and the zesty spiciness of the green peppercorn. A taste sensation in your mouth if there ever was one!

M-Medium leaning toward medium-heavy. Fat and complex with a very dry finish. Log lasting flavours.

D-Outstanding, this would get another 5 if it wasn't for the alcohol tickle and the fact that the 11.8% ABV will surely kick you on your ass in no time! Happy 5th Anni to Joe and the entire Short's crew! Well done, well done indeed!

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2009 00:17:18 | More by Deuane

johnd513

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I enjoyed this beer on tap at the brewery. The brewery described this beer as a wheat wine and the description stated that they used a half a pound of blood oranges per gallon. This beer pours a ruby red color with a small head that quickly dissipates. The smell has a huge tropical aroma of grapefruit, pineapple and orange. The taste is incredibly sweet with grapefruit and orange flavors. The mouthfeel was relatively thick and nicely carbonated. Hands down the most interesting and complex beer I have had so far this year.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2009 00:43:07 | More by johnd513

hoppymeal

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First, congrats to Shorts on 5 years, here's to many more! I labeled this one as a strong ale, but if I had to classify it by look, aroma, taste, etc., I would say it is an imperial red. The beer also has added spices, and is conditioned with blood oranges.

Pours a ruddy brown to ruby red in color, a slight haze in the glass. Dark cream to tan colored head builds to two fingers before slowly receding back to a ring around the perimeter of the glass.

The aroma is far and away a monster hop aroma. Full of pineapple and tropical fruit notes, also a wonderful orange aroma, a bit of citrusy orange hoppiness, but also a dose of sweet orange fruit. Just a touch of pepper and sweet maltiness in the aroma as well.

Taste is where its at, a nice mix of sugary sweet maltiness has just a second to glance on the tongue before quickly blending with the citrusy hops. More of the tropical fruit, a large grapefruit presence, and more oranges, lead into an orange rind bitterness along with a bit of lemon and pepperiness.

Mouthfeel is medium to heavy in body, appropriate for a big hoppy red beer, a decent sized, slightly puckering bitterness adds some dryness and a very small touch of peppery tingle on the palate.

Highly drinkable and very refreshing, Joe and crew again show they can work magic with the hops. Served with a blood orange if desired at the pub, which is a nice touch. This beer is certainly best enjoyed fresh, but I can't help but wonder what some age might do, if it would go barleywine like aorta has, and if some of the added spices might shine thru more strongly. Delicious, thanks Shorts!

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2009 02:04:47 | More by hoppymeal

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

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

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

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

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

superspak

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled 4/20/2012. Pours hazy reddish orange color with a small 1 finger dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lacing cap that lingers. Slight spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of huge orange, orange zest, orange rind, grapefruit, peppercorn, caramel, coriander, bread, floral, grass, earth, and herbal. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity; with a huge citrus presence as expected. Taste of big orange, orange zest, caramel, grapefruit, orange rind, coriander, peppercorn, floral, grass, earth, and herbal. Light citrus rind tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of orange, citrus rind, grapefruit, peppercorn, coriander, caramel, toast, floral, earth, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic citrus and peppery flavor balance with nice complexity; zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent wheatwine! Great flavor complexity and balance; and very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 06:04:05 | More by superspak

bushbeer75

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle – 2012 Vintage

Shorts Brewing Anniversary Ale poured a clear light plum color producing a very thin almost non-existent head made of small bubbles that formed a collar around my snifter. The aroma, the best part of this Ale was dominated by citrus; blood orange, grapefruit and spiciness from the peppercorns. The flavor matches the nose with the citrus (blood orange and grapefruit) up front followed by a peppery and somewhat tart/sour finish that builds as you consume the Ale. The carbonation is to the light side with a medium body and somewhat thinner mouth feel than I was expecting
.
This is my first Shorts Brewing beer and Anniversary Ale is one of the most unique Ales I have had…I guess I am still trying to figure this one out. I plan to age a few of these to see how age affects this unique brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 23:10:22 | More by bushbeer75

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Whew. Blood oranges. You get subtle hints of it on the nose, but there is nothing subtle about the blood oranges on the flavor profile. The bitter tones that taste like they are from the orange's skin are too prevalent. Beyond that, there is little that you get a ride from. As a wheatwine, this falls short. As a beer, it's alright.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 02:57:15 | More by RblWthACoz

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.13/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark orange pour, glints of red, 5/8" head, this is a very dark orange, like the kind you see after a night of partying way too hard. Aroma, mild sweetness, not the usual citrus aroma a hophead would be used to.

Taste, blood orange all over this, sweet in a natural kind of way. The sweetness is really covering up so much of the alcohol. The peppercorn presence, I was not able to perceive.

Mouthfeel is nice, because even though this was drank at the end of July, it has that kind of mouthfeel that is made for summertime. The body is relatively light and easy going, and the alcohol is nowhere to be found. Nice caramel presence as well.

Quite the enjoyable beer, glad I still have one left, the only question is, when?

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 22:39:25 | More by Beerandraiderfan

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, no dating, poured into SA glass.

Orange-red elixir, thin white head dissolves to rim. Minimal lacing.

Nice orange pulp, zest and grapefruit aromas. Herbal spice with a swirl of the glass.

Mix of orange, wheat and spice. Some alcohol at the end. Refreshing.

Medium body, tangy, smooth for this ABV.

A nice change. The blood oranges really come through. The peppercorn provides a nice bonus.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 22:26:06 | More by CaptCleveland

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to wintbs379 for this beer...

A: Pours a semi-translucent red with hues of copper and amber. There is almost no head, just a thin ring of foam along the edges of the glass. No lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose smells of orange rind, grapefruit, slight cherries, and small notes of spice. It has a solid malt backbone that make it sweet, mixed with the super bitterness of the citrus.

T: Oranges, tropical fruits, cherry juice, bitter citrus peel, and hops. It starts out sweet, then transitions to big fruit notes, and then finishes super bitter. It's pretty intense, but the alcohol is hidden really well.

M: Medium bodied beer, The flavors are all over the place. It's like biting into an orange with the outer peel still on it. It's sweet to start, malty and fruity in the middle, and bitter in the finish.

O: I actually really like this beer. Honestly, it's like biting into an orange picked straight off the tree. Rind and all.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 14:07:13 | More by trxxpaxxs

smakawhat

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nobody has reviewed this out of the cask? Ha ha I shall be the first, into a snifter from the cask at Churchkey DC.

Great color on this beer. Deep cherry red and ruby, with a soapy classic sudsy off white and tan head, very cask bubbly in appearance, but also some real good staying power. There's a few little rising bubbles but not many, the color of this beer is fantastic.

Closed nose a little not too bad, bud a small vinous character seems to come of mild vinegar, and bitter zest sort of apricot more than anything.

Taste has classic chewy out of the cask and butter coating feel, with a great chewy orange rind and juicy grapefruit bitter. Citrus bitter pounds out of this with a controlled soft palate. There doesn't seem to be much of a pepper angle on this though.

Overall real impressive, it's like eating grapefruit rinds and all its bitter softness in a liquid form, with a chewy backbone. Neat.

Serving type: cask

06-15-2012 15:20:12 | More by smakawhat