Short's Bellaire, MI

 

      I can't believe I have never published a review of this establishment as we have eaten here several times a year for the past 19 years.  Although primarily a micro-brewery, they offer a fairly wide array of tasty sandwiches, snacks, and pizza.  Just ask the CROWDS that stand in line during tourist season just to get a seat.  

      Once the Bellaire Hardware Store, it was transformed in 2004 into the huge success it has become.  Starting out as a brewery, no ingredient was too weird. Tomatoes, licorice, spruce tips, dig thru their portfolio and you’ll find just about every edible thing under the sun in their beer.  Their brews have won several significant awards throughout the country.  In 2009 they expanded into Elk Rapids, MI.  Their list of brews remains impressive.  All of their selection is available at both locations, including some packaged for off-site sale.  

ON TAP

BELLAIRE BROWN

BOURBON CHOCOLATE WHEAT

FRIENDS OF THE EQUINOX

GHOST TOWN LIVING

HUMA LUPA LICIOUS

IRISH RED

LOCAL’S LIGHT

MOHER STOUT

NICIE

NITRO SUPER DELICIOUS STOUT

PANDEMONIUM PALE ALE

PONTIUS ROAD PILSNER

PSYCHEDELIC CAT GRASS

RIPPLE EFFECT

SOFT PARADE

SOFT PARADE SHANDY

THE LIBERATOR

THE MAGICIAN

THE VILLAGE RESERVE

OCTOROCK

PULSAR

      We have enjoyed several of these over the years, but to be honest we come here for the food.  The appetizers and pizza are good, but the sandwiches are as good as you'll find anywhere. 2023_Greatest_Hits_WEB_FINAL_Feb.pdf (shortsbrewing.com) 

      On this visit we tried to time it to avoid at least some of the downstate hoard that invades the region once the weather warms, although the local following is impressive as well.  This visit was on a Thursday.

      Seating is ample inside, depending on crowds, most of which is high tables and stools, but there is a separate dining area too.  Additionally, there is an area they open when they have live entertainment on the weekends during the season.  

    We tried to time our visit to the seasons and the crowds.  We got seated (the wait staff is very good) and ordered a beverage.  For me this is always my favorite, 'Soft Parade'.  The menu is diverse, but for me it is aways the same.  I ordered the 'Sketches of Winkle' sandwich.  This is a mound of baguette loaf slathered with herbed tomato aioli and filled with salami, ham, pepperoni, banana peppers, red onion, tomato, lettuce, and provolone cheese.  

Sketches of Winkle

      Barb's tastes here vary, but this visit she selected the 'Someday', a mound of turkey, ham bacon, tomato, lettuce, and may on ciabatta.  

Someday

      Our total for dinner was $41, and as always worth it.  The staff is attentive and polite despite the crowds, and the food is always delicious.  Now that we're retired, we still try to get here for a meal at least once a summer, twice if we're lucky. The 22-mile drive home through hills, farms, and forests is always so much more mellow after our meal.  One of our seasonal favorites. 

"You don't need a silver fork to eat good food" 

Paul Prudhomme

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