Short's Kind Ale - Short's Brewing Company

seaoflament

California

2.3/5  rDev -39.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

First I have to thank my buddy Derek for the opportunity to try a new beer from Short's. The only description on the label says "Wet Hop Ale--From Field to Fermenter."

The beer's color is a rusty golden tone and with a solid inch of foam on top that leaves a few scattered strings of bubbles on the sides. The head falls down in a few moments and leaves a thin white film on top and a nicely formed ring around the glass.

At first I picked up a nice layer of tropical fruits but then I was distracted by an odd nuttiness and a sharp onion or shallot aroma (could be summit hops). There also seems to be a hint of alcohol in the background that tries to come through as "hot" but doesn't really get there, just distracts a bit. The malt profile is mostly caramel with a bit of toffee butteriness. Very very odd hop profile, can't really get away from that earthy onion aroma. At times I can detect a candy-like aroma and some orange but the onion, and now garlic, is just too distracting. I should add, the aroma is not that "explosive" or "in your face" but when I lean my nose in the glass all I get is caramel and onion.

The taste is somewhat better and I think I can taste the summit hops as it reminds me of my first homebrewed IPA that did not turn out well. In fact, it tastes very close to it...it even has a similar finish that is fruity, a little alcohol flavor, and "thick" on the palate...but this commercial brew is just a bit better than my homebrew. The malt flavor is quite odd as well, some subtle caramel, mostly just unidentifiable sweetness and some grassy hop flavor with a dose of yeast fruitiness.

As far as the mouthfeel the beer could be a bit drier for my liking, it feels a little thick and undercarbonated on the palate.

I was really excited to try this one and even though some Short's beers haven't been to my liking (Bloody Beer for example as I don't like tomato juice) but I think this is the first one I've had from them that I felt let down. Overall, the beer is pretty boring.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 01:51:28 | More by seaoflament

Slay40

Michigan

5/5  rDev +31.2%

05-10-2013 18:58:05 | More by Slay40

Roeters

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5%

04-13-2013 18:50:15 | More by Roeters

rkf1976

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

04-06-2013 00:41:57 | More by rkf1976

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5%

03-02-2013 02:07:05 | More by SaisonRichBiere

avalonct

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%

02-08-2013 01:28:21 | More by avalonct

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks saisonrichbiere

The beer pours a relatively clear amber with a thin halo of a white head. The nose is distinctly hoppy with fruity notes of cherry, unripened banana and papaya, and a hint of indistinct citrus. The taste is equally complex and fruity hop forward. It has a formidable grain bill to balance out the beer's immense bitterness. The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with a heavy grapefruit rind bitter aftertaste. This beer is pretty tasty and is easily described as a complex and heavily hopped APA!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 01:34:46 | More by ThePorterSorter

Jsmitty1967

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

01-16-2013 22:48:55 | More by Jsmitty1967

rjl910953

Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

01-12-2013 05:57:46 | More by rjl910953

BlissJunkie

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

01-10-2013 21:22:02 | More by BlissJunkie

danwho

California

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

01-06-2013 00:27:20 | More by danwho

Fanhitter

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a goblet

In the glass, this elixir resembles a glass of fresh apple cider in color, with a nice half inch of cream colored head. The head is rather frothy and dissipates slowly, leaving a few large bubbles prominently resting on the top of the pour. Nice transparency, a bit leggy, but not syrupy.

Immediately the aroma gives off a fresh musty smell, ripe with hop tang. In all honesty, it smells mixed-fruity; a predominant apple aroma hangs in the glass.

Taste is bitter and musty, but finishes exceptionally smooth. Leaves a bit of a bite on the tip of the tongue, and a strong bitterness at the back. Very smooth and dry, with an even balance of malt. The second sip adds a nice sweet tartness on the draw.

Mouthfeel is smooth, not too bubbly. Easy to drink; doesn't leave a coating on my teeth for how syrupy it feels as it nears room temp.

Overall, this is good. In a weird way, I would like to say that this is what would be on tap in Mordor-it has a rather primitive flavor that is robust and not flashy. For a harvest ale, I think it's great. It's not quite developed as much as Founders Harvest, but is a bit superior to New Holland Hopivore if I had to compare MI wet-hop ales. I've had it in the past, and this years batch is better than ones I've had in the past. I will look forward to future batches of this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 00:18:16 | More by Fanhitter

kirkse

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

12-27-2012 01:36:31 | More by kirkse

twkirkby

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5%

12-12-2012 21:05:29 | More by twkirkby

CMUbrew

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

12-09-2012 20:21:43 | More by CMUbrew

chugalug06

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clarity is struggling a bit, but head is nice and white fluffyness, lacing is good too. Brew is orange and looks like iced tea.

Not much nose. Mild (for a Pale) citrus hops. Apricot and pineapple dominate.

Very bitter, but not in a Goodyear kind of way. Flavors are a bit of a miss, nothing is overly developed. Kinda of bland, but not flavorless. Mouthfeel is thin and over carbonated. Sweetness is lacking too. Brew is sessionable, light, and refreshing.

Very sessionable for being a Pale. Recommended for a try, but not as a must have. Thanks Abanton for the extra!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 04:51:56 | More by chugalug06

JimmyP

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

if you are a hop head and you can get it then do so, it is only available in the fall as it is a "harvest Ale" or "wet hopped ale" basically it is only available shortly after the new years hops crop is harvested. The hops are put into the wort and fermenting beer still fresh off the vine.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 22:15:24 | More by JimmyP

mikediesel124

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

11-15-2012 21:57:50 | More by mikediesel124

beergorrilla

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

11-12-2012 19:46:41 | More by beergorrilla

oline73

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this at the November Baltimore Area BA tasting. Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

Appearance; The beer poured a clear amber color with a quarter finger of off white head. The bubbles are quite large. The head fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: Lots of hops in the nose. Slightly fruity with some pine and citrus peel notes. Just enough malt to balance things out.

Taste: As in the smell, the taste is full of hoppy goodness. Pine and citrus peel bitterness hit the tongue pretty hard. Just enough malt to take the edge off. I'm getting a slightly fruity note. The finish is really bitter.

Mouthfeel: The body is medium with tingly, smooth carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I thought this one had a very nice bitterness level. It was quite easy to drink and I'd have more in the future. One of my favorites from Short's.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 05:49:51 | More by oline73

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

11-05-2012 22:39:50 | More by marlinsfan4

duceswild

Maryland

4/5  rDev +5%

11-04-2012 16:51:33 | More by duceswild

mendvicdog

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%

11-03-2012 16:08:58 | More by mendvicdog

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to grinnellj for sending this one out to me. This beer poured out as a nice looking copper color with a nice thin white head on top. The retention and lacing were pretty good on here. The smell of the beer was pretty well balanced, not as hoppy as some fresh hop ales I've had in the past but still had plenty to offer. The taste of the beer is nicely bittered with a subtle malt sweetness in there as well. The mouthfeel is medium to light bodied, very drinkable with a dry resin-like finish. Overall I enjoyed this beer quite a bit. I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 23:45:16 | More by Knapp85

JRod1969

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

10-24-2012 01:50:13 | More by JRod1969