Short's Uncle Steve's Irish Stout - Short's Brewing Company

moosiz

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from bottle into pint glass this brew is not letting any light through. Just a slight scarlet hue around the edges when held to the sunlight. Creamy khaki head fades quick. Nice and steady moderate carbonation.

Smells great. Roasted black malt with a hint of semi-sweet chocolate rounded out with burnt caramel. Strong sweet dark coffee comes to mind.

Bitter and forward bakers chocolate flavor along with acidic and dry aftertaste. Toasty black malt flavor lasts for a while.

This version of the style really works for me. Nice body, flavor, and overall a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 21:13:54 | More by moosiz

MIbeerfan

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Pours a dark brown almost black with very thin creamy head

S: Smells like a dark chocolate milky way

T: Taste has first coffee then very creamy but light, like a jamocha milkshake with dark chocolate undertones

M: Velvety and a light creamy feel over tongue

D: The smooth and lightness of the stout lends to a very good drinkability. The avg ABV would make this a good session beer especially for the "pre-St Patty's weekend"

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2010 02:07:39 | More by MIbeerfan

stevepat

Michigan

4.39/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Great representation of the style. I am not the world's biggest stout fans and when i do partake i prefer milkier stouts but the flavor here is spot on. Especially appreciable on a cold late winter day in Michigan. My only real complaint, which may be erroneous, is that the beer is a bit fizzy. I always associate stouts with a flatter feel. Anyway, a great choice for a classic stout

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 18:29:34 | More by stevepat

waltonc

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle of this at Holiday Market in Royal Oak. I'm not usually a dry stout fan, but figured I'd give this a shot; and it didn't disappoint. Pours a dry-stout-dark-brown with a fair bit of tan head. Smells of burnt, charred malts. Taste is, as expected, quite dry. Again, those burnt malts, a tad of caramel and dark roasted coffee. Mouthfeel is that astringent dry quality you'd expect from a dry stout. I could drink a few of these in a session. Great for a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2009 06:05:01 | More by waltonc

StoutHunter

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got a single of Uncle Steve's Irish Stout for $1.69 at the Lager Mill. I have been drinking a good amount of Irish Dry Stouts lately and when I saw that Short's has their own version I knew I had to give this baby a try and see what Short's can do with this style. As with all Short's no visible bottling date. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A- I really like the label on this beer, the leprechaun riding a black cat looks pretty cool plus it's good to know that "Leprechaun Magic is back". This beer poured a really dark brown that is bordering on black. It had a finger and a half worth of dark tan head that died down to a thin layer that stayed the rest of the time and left some nice looking lacing.

S- More robust then most in it's style. The dark roasted malts impart lots of coffee aroma, some nice dark chocolate, and toffee as well. This beer smells moderately sweet and had a nice molasses like aroma to it. I pick up a some grassy hops also. This beer has a nice aroma.

T- The taste is pretty similar to the aroma. Lots of nice roasted malts in this brew that have all those nice coffee, dark chocolate, and toffee flavors that aroma hinted at. There is some slightly bitter grassy hops on the finish that gives this beer its classic finish. This beer had far more roast then the traditional Irish Dry Stouts but I never expect a traditional brew from Short's so this works.

M- Smooth and creamy with a nice dry finish. Medium light bodied with average carbonation.

Overall This was one damn good Irish Dry Stout. The more I drink this style the more I get into it. This has much more roast and has more flavor then the traditional Irish Dry Stouts. Shorts always puts their on twist on whatever style they brew and this beer was no different. Purists may not like this brew, but I think it's great, it shows that this style can be dry like it should be while still holding on to flavors from american stouts, its like the perfect hybrid of the two. I would buy this again in a heart beat, in fact I'm going to get some more tomorrow before it is all gone. If you like Guinness but think it could use more flavor, then this is the beer for you. Great job Short's, you guys can turn almost any style into a work of art.

Update- I have been drinking a lot of the 2012 release, it's one awesome beer and without a doubt my favorite Irish Dry Stout, I am going to have to stockpile some before they are all gone.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2011 03:41:30 | More by StoutHunter

madeofsteel

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a thick, pitch black color with a chocolate looking head of about a half inch. Some retention and spotty lacing.

S - Very pleasant roasted malts, coffee, chocolate and some mellow booze in the back.

T - Delicious. Roast coffee, very faint caramel, toffee and chocolate.

M - Very creamy and smooth. Kinda messy, but still damn drinkable.

O - While not the best stout I've had, still pretty good for the money.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:20:13 | More by madeofsteel

elNopalero

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This comes out a black cola color with dark cocoa foam, very tight bubbles and a thick, strong coffee roast aroma on the nose. The coffee dominates but it is not exclusively so, balanced out by chocolate. The flavor is all about dark chocolate, dark roast coffee, and a sharp hop bitterness for definition. It’s full bodied, thick and robust. I dig it. Fantastic

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2012 22:52:03 | More by elNopalero

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.28/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Edit: I try to review per style guidelines, and this one hit it out of the park.

12oz received as a great extra in my most recent trade with kbeals.. Truly appreciated Kevin!! Awesome trade!!

Poured into my shaped SA glass.

Khaki head shows great lacing and retention atop a pretty much black brew... clear ruby around the outskirts.

lite coffee aromas.. certainly a nice smack of dark malts.. not alot else going on.. as it should be.. smells simple and black.

Flavor and body are just about perfect.. a mild acidic note combines with the dark malts for a nice very drinkable brew.. lite coffee and dark malts.. surprisingly drinkable for me.

The body is about perfect for the style.. the carbonation is nice too...

Nothing really to complain about this brew... a nice brew and is pretty much spot-on. I am surprised how much I am liking this one... maybe I need to check back in on the style.

Thanks again Kevin for the great trade!!

4/4/4.5/4.5/4

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2010 07:19:35 | More by JohnGalt1

Ryan011235

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass on 6/20/10

Courtesy of boatshoes

Dark cola brown; hardly any light gets through - just a little around the edges. Sedimentary floaties drift about then settles on the bottom. 1/2 inch tan head thins quickly.

Dark roasted malts & earthy hop aromas. Notes of coffee grounds & something akin to buttery toffee (eh?). Smells pretty dry.

The is very similar to the nose, with prominent roasted malts - coffee is most apparent. There's a nice hoppy offset & bitterness. Quite dry & plenty tasty. I think it has a good balance.

Basically full bodied. Carbonation is a touch higher than moderate; though a little higher than I prefer, it suits the style. Finishes appropriately dry & bitter.

Drinkability is very good; I could toss back a few with ease. Uncle Steve knows what's happening. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 01:58:45 | More by Ryan011235

dudemuskie

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A buddy of mine brought back a few bottles of this Short's brew after I confessed my love for their beers! Thanks Rob!

Appearance- Black brew, nearly opaque, with some faint deep brown highlights. Quickly rising and fading, loose, dark beige head.

Aroma- Deep roastiness, coffee grounds, and burnt black malt aromatics make for an inviting and potentially wonderfully dry Irish Stout!

Flavor- Higher than anticipated CO2 opens up to a big roasty and burnt malt start. Earthy hop flavor and mostly dark roasted malt bitterness pull together the middle and ease into the very dry finish. Very nice!

Mouthfeel- Medium-full bodied, moderate CO2, not much for hop presence, mostly relying on acrid dark roasted barley for bitterness. Almost astringent dryness, but not in a terribly bad way. Some residual sugars that are practically blasted out of my mouth by the dryness.

Overall- Nice and drinkable, brutally dry Irish Stout! Cant help but think of Guinness, but only because this brew would be delightful on a nitro tap! Very enjoyable and I will definitely seek this out again!

Second bottle consumed on 9/21/10- has been in the fridge and has a very pronounced sourness from start to finish! Definitely takes away from the Irish stout-ness, but makes this stout a little more refreshing on a summer's day!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2010 04:10:52 | More by dudemuskie

danielharper

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Very dark brown body, almost black, with a thin tan-colored head that dissipates quickly. I expected it to be a tad bit darker and produce more head, but otherwise it's nice.

S: Interesting! A sweet malty nutty aroma with the dryness buried WAY underneath. Some roastiness. Quite nice.

T: Ah, now there's the dryness I was looking for. Still a lot of roasted caramel in the front, but followed by a strong dry middle and aftertaste. The sweetness and the dryness are well-balanced here, and make a very nice flavor.

M: Moderate thickness, low carbonation, with only a touch of hoppiness on the backend. Leaves the mouth dry (obviously).

D: Irish Dry Stouts aren't always my favorites, but this is a nice example of the style, and totally worth trying if you can get it.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2009 01:26:27 | More by danielharper

enfield249

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Very dark brown, with a little khaki colored head.

S - Great roast, coffee, malt with a surprising amount of hop aroma. A little candy sugar smell even.

T - Such a nice roasty sweetness right down the middle of my tongue, that fades to a little chocolate. Leaves with a strong chocolate/candy flavor.

M - A little on the wet side for the style I think, but not bad at all.

D - Very good stout, very drink able. It's really nice to see a brewery get that amount of flavor in a beer without going crazy on the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 00:59:59 | More by enfield249

Bung

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. Near black pour with some off white head.
Aroma has roast malt, light coffee, anise, earthy peat and chalk.
Taste is a good blend of roast malt, anise and black licorice. Good dryness to it without being too chalky. Hint of dry pine.
Nice creamy small bubble carbanation, with a light/medium body. Drinkability is very good, smooth and sessionable.
It has similarities to Guiness but then takes it to a better place.
Had this after a Cup A Joe, so it was a bit tough to compete though.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 05:35:51 | More by Bung

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Devin for the opportunity to try this.

A: Pours a creamy black with creamy head. It looks creamy, I guess. I love the way a good Irish stout looks in a pint glass. A thing of beauty.

S: The aromas consist of chocolate, roasted malt, and perhaps cocoa.

T: A nice brew. Not challenging or complex in any way. No alcohol flavor at all. Great in its simplicity. Slight chocolate flavors are pleasing. There's not a whole lot else to report, really. The beer is similar in many regards to a Guiness. I'd like to have the two side by side and compare / contrast.

M: The mouthfeel has a nice balance of smooth cream with appropriate crisp carbonation.

D: This beer would be great to drink several of while watching Rugby, darts, soccer, or some other western European sport.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2010 19:27:23 | More by Huhzubendah

pwoods

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle shared by FtownThrowDown

A: Pours pretty much pitch black. Shorter head on the pour. Little lacing.

S: Lots of roast, nice bitter aroma. Some light chocolate.

T/M: Lots of bitterness from the black patent. Lots and lots of roast. Some hops are mixed in there but definitely in the back. Body is medium with smooth carbonation.

D: Low ABV and pretty damn drinkable. A sold Irish Dry Stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2010 01:57:39 | More by pwoods

alleykatking

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle.

A- Pours a deep dark brown color...almost black but not quite there. One finger light brown head shows medium retention. Nice sticky streaks of lace on the sides of the glass. This is the first Short's beer that actually looks great after a pour.

S- Nice roasted malts in the front of the aroma. This imparts a nice coffee like hint to it as well. Chocolate malts come through toward the middle with the roasted malts muting a little bit. Molasses and light earthy hops bring up the backend with a ever so lightly hint of alcohol. This beer is robust but has a little sweet side to it.

T- Starts of with a hint of toffee which dies almost as soon as it hints the palate. Roasted malts take over all this and bring forth a coffee like flavor. Hints of darker chocolate come out toward the middle with a molasses like sweetness. The ending of the beer is mostly roasted malts paired off with a nice crisp earthy bitter hop bite. Hints of alcohol are in the ending but nothing really comes of it.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style. Roasted malts and light darker chocolate are left on the palate. Aftertaste is mostly earthy hops, chocolate, and roasted malts. Flavors were very well blanaced which I found amazing for a Short's beer since they seem to be over the top at times on a single flavor. No off flavor (which I still haven't seen in a Short's beer). Light alcohol drying on the palate.

O- This beer was a fantastic surprise. I was expecting something with a little offness to it (in a good Short's kind of way) and found a well balanced beer. The ABV is a nice lower number so enjoying a sixer of this is very much in the cards. Another great beer from Short's.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 20:51:50 | More by alleykatking

GRPunk

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a GRBC pint glass.

A- A liberal pour created a 1/2-finger brown head atop a near pitch body. Even the edges stay a shade short of jet. Difficult to judge carbonation level. The head thins to a fully covering film and ends up a little sparse. Nice spots are left about the glass, but end up falling back into the body before I'm done. Better head retention would up the score here.

S- Ahh, classic dry Irish stout going on here. Dark roast coffee and lighter chocolate and vanilla notes. It gets really roasty with a little bit of warmth, nearly smokey.

T- Very, pleasantly, rich for the style. Lots of medium-dark roast coffee with chocolate notes that hint at powdered chocolate milk mix. Hopping is suitable to keep sweeter malts in check without becoming overwhelming.

M- Great for the style. Lightly carbonated without getting thin or watery. Creamy and smooth with a quality near chalky, though pleasant. Bottled dry stouts can really lack in mouthfeel. This one certainly didn't.

O- This is a wonderful example of the style. Flavorful, yet drinkable. It's screaming to get matched with Irish fare. I could sit down and put back a bunch of these. A very sociable drink. I had some initial worries that this might be a bit out of season (and bottling this style seems to ruin it for me). Any worries were laid to rest. Definitely exceded expectations.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 16:29:50 | More by GRPunk

alexgash

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Dark coffee brown body. Tall, stately, creamy, light khaki brown head. Good lacing and retention. Roasted malts, peat, light smoke, dark chocolate, and a bit of earthy molasses on the nose. Mild roasted coffee bitterness up front. Dark chocolate nibs and mineral water fill in. Barely sweet caramel and molasses mid-palate. Earthy, peaty finish, with hints of licorice. Drying bitterness in the end. Medium-bodied, with a tad too much carbonation. Nice and drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2010 02:27:40 | More by alexgash

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanx Shamrock071521:

Into a pint glass:

A: dark brown/black colored body with a one finger white foamy head which quickly dies into the body, some light lacing is left

S: rich coffee, light chocolate coming through in a roasty/smoky sort of way

T: dry and roasty as an Irish Dry Stout should be, bitter and sweet at different times, dry aftertaste

M: medium, adequately carbonated, sessionable

O: I say this is very well done for its style and is very good to me, of course I'd have another if I could get this in Maine

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 00:45:44 | More by kangarooAdam59

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, thanks to grub for sharing.

Pours a clear very dark reddish brown, ruby hues in the corners, thick light tan head forms, settles down to medium ring around the glass and thin layer, some lace spots stick, looks good.

Smell is nice, light and roasty, some chocolate, caramel sweetness, dry and toasty, some biscuit, brown sugar, marshmallow, chocolate wafer dryness, light bit of fruitiness but big and malty.

Taste is nice, very dry and roasty, chocolate and some coffee, caramel, some malty sweetness through the middle, biscuit and toast, some fruit in the finish, a bit nutty, a touch of lactic sourness in the finish, nice stuff.

Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation, easy drinking stout. Carbonation is a bit high for the style, but real nice roasty flavours going on. Thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 21:42:10 | More by Viggo

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Uncle Steve's Irish Style Stout

Poured from a12oz bottle into a SA Perfrect Pint.

Pours a very dark brown that is nearly opaque. The brew settles solid black with 2 fingers of light mocha head that sticks around for a while. Spotty lacing.

The nose is very roasty and has hints of coffee as well. The roasted malt is dominant and very inviting.

The taste follows the nose and some! There is a massive roasty presance but underlying this is a flavorful dark chocolate taste. I bit of coffee creates a taste akin to cup o' mocha.

The mouthfeel is chewy and full-bodied. Creamy for the most part but a bit of bitterness is felt from the dark cocoa and coffee flavors.

Overall, this is my first from Short's due to where I live and I'm very impressed. This is a flavorful and drinkable treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 04:24:59 | More by ChugginOil

Mavigo

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Was looking for a good Irish themed beer for the weekend. Was gonna buy a 6 pack of Guinness Extra stout but saw a six pack of this for the same price. Opted for the latter.
Served it in a tulip.

A: Poured a fine opaque dark brown black color with a short cafe colored head which dissipated fast and had minimal lacing.

S: Smells very rich, coffee, malts, barley, chocolate, smoky hints to it

T: Good flavor, quite sweet with its maltiness, evokes a smoky feel to it, robust coffee and dark chocolate flavors

M: Rich, full bodied, lower levels of carbonation, a plus for me

O: Well I bought I impulse bought this to support a local brewery, and one of my favorite breweries personally, and my loyalty did not disappoint me one bit. Recommended by me.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 02:12:39 | More by Mavigo

BMoney575

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on 1-26-10

Pours a a very deep brown, almost black, with a bit of red around the edges. A pleasant off-white head sits on top, and lasts for the whole glass.

Smell is deep malt, sweet and a little smoky, tart and spicy at the very end. Not overly complex, but enjoyable.

Taste is sharp, strongly smoked malt, with a beef jerky, peppery flavor. Its gets better as you go, with a spicy, yeasty, and smoky finish.

Mouthfeel is just right for a lighter stout, with pleasant carbonation to liven up the flavors.

Drinkability is very good, light and flavorful with a reasonable abv.

Overall, I'm liking dry stouts more and more, and this one fits right in.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2010 23:01:47 | More by BMoney575

malty

Michigan

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

12 oz. bottle from the innaugural bottling a couple weeks ago. Ultra Fresh I gather.

Force poured into my stemmed Ayinger tulip glass creates a bubbly and loose 1 1/2" khaki head. The body is ultra dark brown with ruby edges/hilites. Head has settled to 1" and has become much more dense after just a few minutes.

The nose is sweet & rich, with soft notes of malted milk balls and chocolate covered raisins. Semi-dark roastedness with a little shoe leather in there as well.

The sweetness that was very prevelant in the nose has took a backseat to the roasty dark malts that dominate the hearty malt profile. I'm guessing some above-average hopping has taken place because the rich malty flavors end with a superb ultra-dry chalky finish. The new leather shoe smell also translates very accurately in the taste. No real fruitiness to speak off, just dark, roasty malts and inner-cheek drying chalkiness.

Mouthfeel is between light & med. with a fine and moderate carbonation level. Again, dry, chalky & roasty finish.

Drinkability is great. I could session this stout with some bangers & mash or fish & chips without question. Oyster heads would be in heaven if they chose this stout.

Overall a classic interpretation on an Irish Dry Stout. Dead-on chalky dryness with enough malt traction to keep one's stout satisfaction level at a high mark. Great Stout from Short's indeed. Simple and classic.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2009 19:06:50 | More by malty

Avagadro

New Jersey

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

A: Black with a cream colored head. little lacing is evident.

S: Coffee, chocolate, and bananas combine for a pleasant bouquet.

T: The palette follows the lead of the nose, with the addition of some whole grain bread. Dry, with a bit of fruitiness.

M: Full bodied with little in the way of carbonation.

D: A great example of a Dry Irish Stout. Well Done, but not extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 00:37:51 | More by Avagadro