Shorts Anniversary Ale Part Deux Original Version

Brewed by Shorts Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Bellaire, Michigan USA

Name: Anniversary Deux Original
Date: 02/23/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

Appearance: hazy burnt orange, scant beige head,
Aroma: sweet crystal malt aroma with lots of citrus hops,
Flavor: sweet crystal malt flavor, lots of bitter grapefruit for balance and then some, lasting bitterness,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: **+/4

12oz bottle acquired in trade with hoppymeal (thanks!!). Tasted side by side by side (Original , Dry hop, & Grapefruit versions). Poured a medium and clear amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of citrus, caramel, ’sticky’, and some pine. Tastes of caramel, citrus, pine, and a nice bitter finish. Out of the 3, I found this one to be the most bitter.

Pours a transparent bright orange bronze with a thin ring of white head. Aroma of lightly sweet caramel malt and grapefruity citrusy hops. Body starts with some sweet pale malt and fresh grapefruity hops before a drier warming bittersweet finish. Could be a little more crisp, but still a decent double IPA.

Bottle… Hazy orange ale with a fat-bubbled, white head. The aroma is of honeysuckle, praline, tropical fruit and resiny hops. Medium to full-bodied with fizzy carbonation. Bitter as Hell, moderately acidic and boozy. The finish is lengthy, tangy, and then bitter forever.

GABF 2006: Hazy golden amber color with a small white head. The aroma was hop foward but seemed to be on the light side. Citrus and pine notes. The flavor on the other hand was pretty big on the hops. Pine and resin flavors. Malty underneath. Big and long bitter finish. That was the best part.

Alpha King Competition 2006: Nice mix of hops, sweet malt and alcohol. Nice big piney flavor. The finish was pretty bitter and oily. Warming sensation. The finish was a little too unbalanced for the comp.

Poured a hazy amber color with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of floral hops, pine, citrus fruits, and light toffee malts. Taste was hoppy, equally as hoppy as the dry hopped version, with less vanilla. Citrus, pine, and grapefruit, with a bit of alcohol in the finish. Surprised this is so under-rated, Thanks Steve!

Draught at 2006 MBG Summer Festival. Pours a hazy amber with no head. Beautiful, juicy hops and malt aroma -- very well done and smells great. Flavour’s the same, big, juicy hops with a nice bitter finish -- damn tasty! Medium bodied. Very one-dimensional but I don’t care, this is a very enjoyable I2PA.

12oz bottle purchased at the brewery. The aroma was of caramel, light citrusy hops, subdued molasses, and leather shoe. There were also whiffs of cherry and spruce needles. Poured a clear medium orange color with an off white head that left only minimal lace behind. Slightly sweet with moderate to high hop bitterness that peaked at about 6-7 out of 10. Light to medium bodied with carbonation on the lower end of the spectrum. Hops dominated the flavor with orange and spruce elements. Some light caramel hid in the background. Pretty good.