What is Pure MichiganⓇ to you? An emotive commercial showcasing our sparkling lakes and treescapes flush with fall color? Maybe a passing billboard on your road trip to Mackinaw Island? For Short’s Brewing Company, it means a promise to showcase Michigan’s agricultural legacy and pristine fresh water.
In partnership with the Pure MichiganⓇ campaign, this Northern Michigan family-owned brewery makes a year-long series of beers using all-local malt and hops. Both ingredients are essential to brewing: malts provide the sugars that are converted to alcohol and carbonation, and hops help balance the flavor and aroma. “You can really taste Northern Michigan in every glass because of our unique growing environment, explains Marketing Director Christa Brenner. “A little variation is expected year-to-year because of the agricultural products available to us.”
Seasonal Sips
In today’s available Fall IPA, expect to taste a balance of bitterness from Hop Alliance of Omena, and sweetness brought in from Great Lakes Malting, a Traverse City company. As the weather becomes colder, warm up with a Pure Michigan Porter, a delicious dark beer that perfectly complements the changing of the seasons. “It’s great to be able to shine a spotlight on local growers and show what Michigan can do while promoting tourism around the state,” explains Brenner.
Building Community One Glass at a Time
Beyond supporting Pure Michigan’s Ⓡ campaign to showcase the delicious brews made with local ingredients in the Pleasant Peninsula, Short’s Brewing is dedicated to area initiatives and community members. Employing more than 150 members of the community throughout the year, Short’s also partners with the Nakwema Trailway, Grass River Natural Area, Norte, Groundwork Center, Housing North, Up North Pride, and others to support a thriving Northern Michigan. Want to see a supported community in action? Head to the Paddle Antrim Festival celebrations, sponsored by the brewery and hosted at their Bellaire Beer Garden and Elk Rapids Pull Barn. Conscious consumers who know that supporting local leads to sustainable communities can feel proud to choose from this series of seasonal releases.
Ready to try something truly local? Find Short’s Pure MichiganⓇ series throughout the year in beer caves and on draft statewide. Those in for a true Michigan experience can make a trip through rolling hillside giving way to pristine lakes, eventually leading to the Pub that started it all, or the Pull Barn at the brewing facility, and ask for the Pure MichiganⓇ seasonal pour.
This story was written in partnership with Short’s Brewing Company.