Short's Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Joe Short |
| Headquarters | Bellaire , United States |
| Products | Beer, cider |
Short's Brewing Company operates as a brewpub and microbrewery located in Bellaire, Michigan, United States. Established in 2002 by entrepreneur Joe Short, the enterprise launched its inaugural pub in 2004. To accommodate expansion, Short's acquired and upgraded a brewing facility in Elk Rapids, Michigan in 2008 to enable larger-scale production. In July 2017, the company entered a strategic alliance by selling a 19.9% share to Lagunitas Brewing Company, a subsidiary of Heineken International, aiming to broaden its market reach.
History
Founded in 2002 by Joe Short at the age of 22, Short's Brewing commenced by transforming a century-old hardware store into a brewpub located in Bellaire. It opened its doors in April 2004 featuring a seven-barrel brewing system. The initial year's output totaled 178 barrels. In 2007, Short's launched The Imperial Beer Series, which included 13 distinct specialty brews each paired with unique branding, enhancing product differentiation.
The brewpub functions as a local community gathering place, showcasing regional art and hosting live performances while offering 20 varieties of beer alongside Starcut Ciders on tap, strengthening its presence within the region. To increase production capacity beyond the brewpub’s capabilities, Short's purchased a facility in Elk Rapids in 2008 and began large-batch brewing in 2009 with an annual capacity of 30,000 barrels and a bottling operation capable of handling 800 cases daily.
By 2014, the brewery produced 34,443 barrels and achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest tap takeover by serving 120 different Short's beers at the opening of HopCat Detroit—highlighting both growth and expanded market penetration in Michigan’s craft beer sector.
Production site
The production facility in Elk Rapids houses a 30-barrel brewhouse equipped with 21 fermenters and six bright tanks. Short's crafts unfiltered beers utilizing natural ingredients. Bottled products and select kegged beers go through flash pasteurization. As of 2014, this site was capable of brewing and packaging up to 56 distinct beer varieties.
Availability
Short's distributes primarily throughout Michigan, with availability at more than 3,200 locations statewide. Alongside their year-round flagship beers, the brewery releases over 40 seasonal and specialty brews annually. Distribution expanded beyond Michigan beginning January 2016 for both Short's Brew and Starcut Ciders into additional states. By March 2016, distribution extended into Indiana and Ohio through Cavalier Distributing. In January 2019, partnerships with Cavalier Distributing in Orlando and J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida in Tampa introduced Short's products to the Florida market.
Awards
Short's Brewing has received numerous industry accolades:
- 2009 Great American Beer Festival – Bloody Beer: Silver Medal (Experimental Beer)
- 2010 RateBeer Best Beers Worldwide – Ranked #64 Best Brewer, #5 Best Brewpub
- 2010 Great American Beer Festival – Key Lime Pie: Gold Medal (Experimental Beer)
- 2010 World Beer Cup – Black Licorice Lager: Bronze Medal (Herb & Spice/Chocolate Beer)
- 2011 Draft Magazine Top 25 Beers – The Gambler
- 2014 Great American Beer Festival – Key Lime Pie: Gold Medal (Experimental Beer)
- 2015 Great American Beer Festival – Melt My Brain: Silver Medal (Experimental Beer)