Short's Belair Brown 6Pk

Short's Belair Brown 6Pk is a 7.0% ABV American brown ale from Short's Brewing Company in Michigan, sold in a six-pack format. Designed by founder Joe Short to be meatier and burlier than most brown ales, Belair Brown carries a loyal following with a 3.7 rating across more than 32,500 reviews on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  IBU: 19  |  Origin: Bellaire / Elk Rapids, Michigan  |  Style: American Brown Ale  |  Brewery: Short's Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Short's Brewing Company was founded by Joe Short in Bellaire, Michigan, with a production facility later established in Elk Rapids. Belair Brown is built on a malt bill featuring four different specialty malts and grains, hopped exclusively with US Golding hops — a deliberate choice that keeps bitterness restrained at just 19 IBUs while letting the grain character dominate. Joe Short originally conceived the recipe to appeal to coffee lovers and beer drinkers looking for something with depth and body but without aggressive hop bitterness, resulting in a brown ale that punches well above its style's typical weight class at 7.0% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted malt leads immediately, followed by a wave of caramel sweetness and a faint undercurrent of chocolate. The nose is warm and inviting without any noticeable hop presence or alcohol heat.

Taste: Toasted malt forms the backbone of the palate, layered with chocolate, caramel, and subtle coffee notes. The four-malt grain bill gives the flavor profile genuine complexity, and the 7% ABV is remarkably well hidden beneath the malt richness. A slight sweetness threads through the mid-palate without becoming cloying.

Finish: The finish lands with minimal dryness and a clean, semi-crisp close. Lingering toast and roast carry through, leaving a satisfying malty impression that fades at a measured pace.

How to Drink Belair Brown

Belair Brown is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip pint or English pub glass to concentrate the malt aromatics. Pouring too cold will mute the caramel and chocolate nuances — let it warm slightly if pulled straight from the refrigerator.

Best For

• Fall and winter evening sessions when you want a warming, malt-forward beer
• Introducing hop-averse friends to American craft beer
• Pairing alongside a backyard barbecue or smoked meats
• Michigan craft beer enthusiasts exploring the state's flagship breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Belair Brown taste like? Belair Brown is dominated by toasted malt with supporting layers of chocolate, caramel, and coffee. It has a thin-to-medium body with a semi-crisp mouthfeel and finishes clean with minimal dryness.

How does Belair Brown compare to Newcastle Brown Ale? Newcastle Brown Ale is an English-style brown ale at approximately 4.7% ABV, leaning lighter and nuttier, while Belair Brown is a bigger, bolder American brown ale at 7.0% ABV with more pronounced chocolate and roast character. Belair Brown was specifically designed to be burlier than the typical brown ale template that Newcastle represents.

Is Belair Brown good for people who don't like hoppy beer? Yes — with only 19 IBUs and a single-hop addition of US Golding, Belair Brown was specifically created by Joe Short for drinkers seeking a less hoppy, malt-driven experience. Hop bitterness is virtually undetectable against the robust malt backbone.

Where is Belair Brown made? Belair Brown is brewed by Short's Brewing Company, which operates a brewpub in Bellaire, Michigan, and a production brewery in Elk Rapids, Michigan. The beer's name is a nod to the town of Bellaire itself.

What foods pair well with Belair Brown? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the toasted malt echoes the char and smoke; sharp cheddar or aged Gouda, which complement the caramel sweetness; chocolate brownies or a flourless chocolate cake that mirror the beer's cocoa notes; and hearty beef stew or chili, where the malt body stands up to rich, savory flavors.

What sizes does Belair Brown come in? Belair Brown is commonly available in a six-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration for this beer.

Is Belair Brown worth the price? Belair Brown positions as a well-priced craft six-pack that delivers more complexity and higher ABV than most brown ales in the category. For a 7% ABV beer with this level of malt depth, it sits comfortably within the everyday craft tier while offering substance that justifies its place over lighter, mass-market brown ales.

Why Belair Brown?

Belair Brown stands apart from the crowded brown ale field because it was intentionally built to be bigger and more assertive than the style norm — a deliberate design decision by Joe Short that results in a 7.0% ABV beer with the drinkability of something far lighter. The four-malt grain bill and restrained US Golding hop profile create a beer that rewards malt-focused drinkers with genuine chocolate, caramel, and roast complexity without resorting to adjuncts or flavoring additions. Its sustained popularity across more than 32,500 Untappd ratings confirms that this is not a novelty release but a core expression that has earned a dedicated audience over years of consistent production. For anyone who believes brown ales lack ambition, Belair Brown makes a compelling counterargument.