Pale Ale
Short’s Brewery, Bellaire, Michigan
Founded 2002
Short’s brewery was established by 22 year-old Joe Short with the idea to brew bold, flavorful, and creative beers using the best possible ingredients. Although one of Michigan’s largest brewers, Short’s has vowed to remain a “small” brewery in spirit with a mom-and-pop approach that puts emphasis on quality beer and happy customers.
I was a little late to the party on this one, but glad I didn’t miss it. Bonafide Legit is a seasonal beer that was released from October through December 2014. It has the distinction of using only Michigan grown Summit hops.
After a soft pour (my bad), Bonafide Legit exhibited a thin foamy head resting on the honey colored brew. The enticing aroma of pungent tropical evergreens bolstered my anticipation.
The taste is a touch bitter for a pale ale, but that serves to really wake up the taste buds. It’s highly carbonated and sweet with a bit of rye bread flavor to go along with the grapefruit. It has a nice clear finish that beckons for another sip.
The Michigan hops imparted a wonderful pine and citrus mix and you can taste the earthy malts in this easy drinking ale. Mouthfeel has a nice balance of thick and crisp, and resiny. Bubbles were rising until the glass was finished and a veritable Rorschach of sticky lacing was left behind.
Short’s Bonafide Legit is an ale that packs a ton of flavor into a reasonably priced ale. Get it while you can. It should be tasty through February 2015.
6.0 ABV
IBU 85
I give this beer a rating of too legit to quit.
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