THE SHORT’S STORY BEGAN IN 2002 when a 22-year-old brewer named Joe Short registered Short’s Brewing Company as a business in ... the state of Michigan. Having already gained significant brewing experience at other Michigan breweries, Joe realized that his style of brewing was best suited to his own business model. Joe wanted to brew bold, flavorful and extremely creative beer, and felt that people would travel out of the way to get them. Our pub, located in the heart of Downtown Bellaire, opened its doors on April 26, 2004 after 18 months of renovations. Though the business got off to a slow start, things began to turn around when Joe’s girlfriend (now wife) Leah joined the team in 2005 followed by Scott Newman-Bale, a.k.a. the Magician in 2007. Our first production batch of beer was shipped from our Elk Rapids, MI Production Facility in March of 2009. The only thing that stays the same at Short’s is change! In 2014 we opened our very own “Brewtique,” Short’s Mart and launched Starcut Ciders. Born out of a desire to make unique and traditional ciders from the orchards that surround us in Northern Michigan, Starcut now boasts a portfolio of flagship, seasonal, and pub-only ciders. 2016 continued to bring change as our distribution footprint expanded to include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado (cider only). Pub renovations included the addition of new indoor and outdoor seating, a new kitchen, and a third bar. Today Short’s continues its efforts to make the best beer on earth in Northern Michigan. Our pub continues to feature 20 taps pouring Short’s beers and Starcut ciders, gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, soups, and salads, cask ale, and live music. Although we have quickly grown to be one of Michigan’s largest breweries, we still take pride in our hands-on, mom-and-pop approach and the energy we put into the quality of our beer, food, staff, customers and facilities. We still brew our beer the same way we always have and we always will. read more