At Short’s, we work hard to bring you the best beers the state of Michigan has to offer. At the end of the day, we’re also trying to stay active and keep ourselves in tip top shape. Thanks to our friends at No Boundaries, the Short’s Health and Wellness team will soon be fitted with super kick butt Jamis bikes. Check out No Boundaries in Boyne City, and tell them Short’s sent you.

For a limited time, get your Short’s To Short’s 2010 Tee Shirt’s from our super awesome Short’s Online Store. Perhaps you were one of the many paddlers, volunteers, spectators or maybe you just want a super awesome comfy tee shirt to proudly support your favorite local brewery. Head here now and get yours while supplies still last. Medium and Large sizes only, sorry petite friends.

Coming soon in June! Rich’s Rye – A super hopped golden rye beer and Spruce Pilsner – an imperial pilsner brewed with Northern Michigan spring blue spruce tips and healthy doses of high alpha hops!

The wait is over!!!

Nicie Spicie 6 Packs hit shelves sometime in July!!! Short’s summer seasonal American wheat ale spiced with fresh citrus, coriander and freshly ground peppercorns.

Greetings all open mic participants,

First off, thanks for all of your participation!  We have really enjoyed hosting open mic for the last several years.

Unfortunately, we are at a juncture with our music program in which we have to temporarily discontinue open mic.  Without consistent personnel to run sound and logistics for the evening, we are unable to facilitate the weekly program.  If we can implement a system conducive to running an open mic night, we will.

Thanks again for many nights of great music!

Cheers!

Shorts Brewing Company

State of the Paddle Address:

Greetings Short’s 2 Short’s Paddler! First off I want to say thanks for joining me on this adventure; I look forward to meeting all of you (if that’s possible). We spent a lot of time organizing the event this year in hopes to provide an efficient, enjoyable and safe adventure, for Free! The future success of this event largely depends on the paddlers’ cooperation and safe outcome, so please review the items below very carefully and plan wisely.
I’ve compared the grueling nature of this paddle to what it’s like operating Short’s. Both the paddle and Short’s require stamina, perseverance, and tenacity to survive. Although it’s very hard work, it can be enjoyable and rewarding. It can also be unpredictable, and the best way to accommodate the unpredictable is to be prepared. The river sections represent the reprieve or little breaks in between the madness, and help you prepare physically and mentally for the bigger challenges ahead (Torch and Elk Lake). Take advantage of those opportunities. Please read through this check list carefully as it may save your life! The goal here is to keep this simple safe and fun. SAFE, SAFE, SAFE being the number one thing to focus on.
Thanks again for being safe and participating. Your cooperation and enjoyment are appreciated and encouraged.

• Please consider tomorrow’s forecast – is supposed to be mid 70’s and WINDY! (20-30mph) – This pretty much means Torch and Elk Lake are both going to be Brutal! A skirt is highly recommended to keep water out of your boat.

• Dress Appropriately – It’s highly recommended you avoid wearing cotton clothing as it absorbs water. Granted the air will be warm but the water is still very cold, and with the wind could be potentially hypothermic if you happen to fall in.
  • Wear any wicking layers like smart wool so you can peel them off when needed.
  • Windbreaker and or rain coat – something to cut the wind and waves!
  • Mittens and extra gloves – in the morning it will be cold and comfort is key. Stay dry and stay warm!
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Skirt
  • Wear HI-VIS clothing if applicable so we can easily identify you from afar, or affix hi vis to your boat!

• Dry set of clothing – if you do not have a dry bag to pack your back up clothing in (your boat), you can leave your bag with ground support. Just leave your name clearly marked on your gear so we can deliver to you at your destination. Remember a COMPLETE SET OF CLOTHING!Please Wear Your Life Vest! – As previously mentioned it will be windy and wavy – heightening the risk level, making it even harder for safety boats to see you, especially if the waves turn you over.

• Paddle with at least one person! This will make it easier for safety boats to monitor you. It will also allow someone to make a phone call in a distress situation. It is going to be windy and wavy so the bigger the group the better. We can find you and rescue you easier in the event a boat becomes turned over. Partner and groups are a must!

• Safety Contact Info – I’ve noticed on some of your registration forms that you put your safety contact info as a person who is also going to be paddling. If you are one of those people, I recommend you send me an email with a back up name and number to someone who will not be paddling. Attached to this email is your map with the safety contact info on it. Please program this info into your phone. Here it is again: 5 total!

• • Safety Boat Captain’s: (If you’re signed up, you got this information in an email with phone numbers)
    • Kurt Koerber
    • Curt Guntzviller
    • Nick Fairbanks
    • James Short
    • Mike and Char Anderson
  • Ground Support
    • Kevin Karpinski
    • Mark Poe
    • Shannon Karpinski & Josh

• Registration Updates or Changes – please email me and let me know if you have any updates to your registration or any other changes you have, especially if you have changed your mind and do not plan on attending. I have seen a few already and sorry we’ll miss you!

• Registration Packet – VERY IMPORTANT – contains a map of the course with safety boat and land support phone numbers, as well as your 2010 S2S sticker and participating business coupons. We’ll have it in a small dry bag provided by Green Planet

• Porta Pottie – has been ordered for the launch site thanks to the Village of Bellaire!

• Friday Morning’s Schedule
  • 6:00 – 7:30 am – late registration sign up
  • 6:30 to 7:30 am – Registration Check In – once you arrive, please check in so we know you will be on the water. At check in you will need to sign the participation waiver, get your info packet, and stage your boat in line to launch (very important)
  • 7:30 – group photo (there are 90 registered paddlers!)
  • 7:40 – Pre launch meeting
  • 7:30 – 8:30 Launch Time – stand next to your boat and wait your turn to hit the water. It’s important we do this swiftly

• The Course officially ends at the Elk Rapids Boat Launch in Elk River (some of you may want to hit up the Riverwalk Grill for your free pint). Totally fine, just coordinate with land support if you have requested a shuttle and don’t want to be left behind.

• T – Shirts! – The Short’s 2 Short’s shirts are being shipped today for delivery in Elk Rapids tomorrow (Friday). If you don’t make it to the plant, I can mail your shirt, or hand it off at the Anniversary Party. If you didn’t request a t-shirt and would like one, we should have some left over or we can put in another order. If you have ordered an XXL Tee, we will have to special order those. I apologize; the shirt order was in before I received all requests so I guessed on size and quantity. Small through XL tee’s are $18.00. XXL Tee’s will be $20

• 80’s songs – I try to think of the crappiest 80’s songs to sing while treading through the river section. Come with a few stuck in your head to share.

• Pickin’ Up Litter – Short’s Brewing Company will donate a $50 gift certificate to the person who picks up the most trash along the way. Leave your name and your collections with a safety boat, land support or the Elk Rapids facility and we’ll hash out the winner when we get it all.

• Elk Rapids Plant Tour – 5:00 to 7:00 pm

• Participating Businesses along the way: your packet includes coupons to a few
  • The Clam Shack – The start of Clam River, off to your left at Dewitt Marine – Look for the S2S Banner! Coffee, water, snacks etc.
  • The Dockside – See you registration packet for a $2.00 off coupon!
  • Fabiano’s at Torch River – Excellent Sandwiches, and great retail store.
  • The Riverwalk Grill – Free pint with purchase of a lunch or dinner item
  • Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen – See registration packet for coupon
  • The Moose downtown E.R. will have pizza by the slice as well as other deli favorites if you’re hungry. They also sell Short’s six packs.

• Return Shuttle: This will be managed by Kevin from Green Planet. We’re suggesting a $5.00 donation to cover the expense.

• The Dockside to Torch River Shuttle: since it’s going to be windy, my guess is a few of you may opt to do this. Please let Kevin or myself know ASAP so we can try to accommodate you.

• The Skegemog Drop Point – is actually just before you enter elk lake on your right hand side after all the stumps and such. Please make a note on your map. From the land it’s at the end of Chippewa Trail (off of Cherry Ave by the Elk Farm) in Rapid City. Let me know if you need any more info about this point. We’ve never used it, but if you’re second guessing the push up Elk, you might want to consider it.

• Attached is your participation waiver – please review this document and bring a signed copy with you. We will have extras at check in, but if you can bring your own copy we’d really appreciate it! Click here to download.

I look forward to another epic adventure. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Joe Short

We’re stating to sell out of our Imperial Beers of 2007. While we still have some of the 750 ML bottles left for sale, these are currently sold out:

Publican Porter
Peaches and Cream
Black Cherry Porter
Bloody Beer
Woodmaster

Stop by the pub in Bellaire and get the rest while you can!

Short’s Brewing Co. in Bellaire

Now hiring kitchen staff, experience a plus.

FT/PT Positions available

Must have a positive work attitude and an ability to work well with others in a fast paced, customer oriented environment.

Please pick up an application in person at 121 N. Bridge St. Belllaire, MI 49615 or email us your resume to employment [at] shortsbrewing [dot] com.

No phone calls accepted for this position please!

UPDATE: Please note that some details of the S2S 2010 have changed.

Okay, this year’s pre paddle went pretty well.  Everyone was in the water by 8:20 a.m. The morning was really cold and eventually warmed up around 11:00 am to 40-ish, when we got close to the dockside.  All the water was extremely flat, until the last part of Torch Lake for the first ½ of the trip.  Lake Skegemog and Elk Lake were the toughest as there was a 10-15 MPH head wind which was brutal. All in all, given the weather we had, anyone should be able to finish this trip in about 10 to 12 hours leisurely.  That’s casual through the rivers with about 1.5 to 2 hours worth of breaks in between.  So I have compiled a list of the last minute essentials for those of you who intend to do this trip and take it seriously. (If you haven’t registered for the event yet, do it here!)

1. Bring warm gloves, several pairs. I used my winter mittens for the first half, and it totally made the 30 degree wind much more bearable and the ride much more comfortable and enjoyable.
2. Dress for the weather. This year the weather started around 30 degrees and finished about 55 degrees with light wind (10-15mph near the end).  I dressed as if I was going cross country skiing.  I had a base layer and soft shell ski pants for the bottom and on top, several wicking layers of smart wools which could be easily shed, and a raincoat/windbreaker. Fighting wet and cold is essential to really enjoy this adventure. So dress appropriately so you can be comfortable and have a good experience.
3. Make cockpit adjustments – I would recommend making your kayak or canoe seating or cockpit adjustments prior to launch day. Sit in your vessel and decide where the most comfortable position is going to be for your ride. It’s a long ways, and being comfortable will really improve your enjoyment!
4. Pack a complete set of back up clothing in a dry bag. This pre paddle we experienced a kayaker who took on water in his rear storage compartment because the cover wasn’t tightened completely.  In that compartment was his dry bag with back up clothing. He took on so much water he eventually began to sink and was picked up by the safety boat. Once the safety boat had returned him soaking wet to the next drop point we discovered his entire dry bag was also full of water, posing a serious problem. So the moral of this story:
   1. Fasten your compartments completely
   2. Pack your dry gear correctly, especially your phone!
5. Paddle with a Partner. I can’t emphasize how important this is. As the kayakers make it into the bigger bodies of water they tend to disperse. This can make it challenging for safety boats to monitor several paddles strewn about over miles of lake.  It’s especially worse when the lake is rough.  So find someone to paddle next to that fits your pace or plan to have a partner.  Prior to launching you will receive a packet containing a map and the safety boat locations and the captains phone numbers.  Also included in the info packs will be Kevin Karpinski’s number  as well as the rest of the ground support. So in the event you end up in a safety boat, you can arrange a pick up at the nearest location.  Also in this packet will be info for participating establishments along the paddle. Some will be offering a “special or feature” lunch or dinner. Those establishments are:
   1. 1. The Clam Shack – Clam River (Dewitt Marine)
      2. The Dockside (Clam River/Torch Lake)
      3. Fabiano’s on the River (Torch River) – great sandwich’s
      4. The Riverwalk (Elk Rapids a good place to finish as it’s “on the river”)
      5. Pearl’s (Elk Rapids)
6. Bring Sun Screen – This is the first time the sun had really been out during one of the paddles. Although I had sunglasses on, it still wasn’t enough. The sun was tricky, even through the clouds.  So bring sunscreen for your face at a minimum. Several of us pretty paddlers look like raccoons with crispy noses and cheeks!
7. Even Extra Gear. Most of the safety boats will have towels and blankets. If you do not have a dry bag but want a bag at the finish, you should arrange to leave it with Kevin for ground support, or he can put it in a safety boat.
8. Life Jacket – Wear one or have one readily accessible on your boat.  Better safe than sorry!
9. Water and Snacks – I’m hoping to outfit the safety boats with blankets and towels. If you don’t plan on patronizing any of the establishments along the way I highly recommend bringing a snack or snacks water and what not. It’s a long day either way you shake it.

Now that you’ve read the report, head to the registration page here and sign up!

Check out the photos on SBC Flickr:

Enjoy our video from the Pre-Paddle:

HOLIE BAJEEZUS! Short’s is six years old! Come join us in celebrating six years of beer liberation and the power of the smallness. We’ve been hard at it and continue to beat the odds. So come venture off the beaten path and take advantage of a special menu, special brews and special folks in a special place!

121 N. Bridge Street – Bellaire Mi.

Come early and do the Short’s To Short’s paddle the day before.

Details of the Anniversary Party are below:

Short’s Brewing Company 2010 Anniversary party Details. Happy 6^th!

May 1^st doors open at 3:00pm

Beers on Tap:

1. Key Lime Pie
2. Caramel Apple
3. Black Belgian IPA
4. Pistachio Cream Ale
5. Ale La Reverend (1 keg)
6. Black Licorice Lager (2010 batch from ER)
7. Golden Rule
8. Nicie Spicie
9. Bourbon Barrel Sustenance
10. Sustenance Black Beer
11. Anniversary Ale (double wheat wine with blood orange, green peppercorns and super hopped)
12. The Curl (till it runs out)
13. New Mission Pale Ale
14. Mystery Stout
15. Uber Goober
16. Turtle Stout
17. Passion Brew
18. Holistic Healing
19. Huma Lupa Licious
20. Locals Light

Kegs we’ll be rotating through:

• Plum Rye Bock
• Hangin’ Frank
• Stellar Ale

Music:

• Nathan Bates 4:00 – 5:30 pm
• Sam Corbin and Jen Sygit 6:00 – 7:30
• Reggie Smith and the After Party  8:00 – 11:00

Food:

• Chorizo Tacos with black beans, corn, lettuce tomatoes and cheddar cheese, served with tortilla chips and a side of cilantro lime sour cream
• Buffalo Chicken Wrap with bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and a blue cheese spread served with kettle chips and a pickle
• Pesto Cucumber Salad with kalamata olives, red onion, carrots and feta wrapped in tomato herb tortilla with hummus and spinach
• Tomato Blue Cheese Soup
• Pizza by the slice – Pepperoni and cheese

Brewers Corner:

This year we’ll be setting up another brewers booth featuring SBC’s Brewstaff. They’ll be pouring 2007 Imperial Beers (ginger in the Rye & Carob Stout) , 2009 Bourbon Barrel Sustenance, Smoked Apple Ale and other

Short’s Brewing Company will be in St. Louis on Saturday April 17th at Schlafly Brewing Company celebrating the Repeal of Prohibition along with Kuhnhenn and Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company.  For more details, visit the Schlafly website.

Short’s will be serving Huma, Magician, Nicie Spicie, Sustenance, and Hanging Frank. Hope to see you there!