Short's Local's Light 6Pk

Short's Local's Light 6Pk is a 5.2% ABV craft American light lager from Short's Brewing Company in Northern Michigan, available in six-packs of 12 oz cans. What distinguishes this beer from the crowded light lager field is its exclusive use of traditional pilsen malt — no rice, no corn adjuncts — resulting in a noticeably more flavorful take on the style that has earned a 3.4 out of 5 rating across more than 31,500 reviews on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%  |  IBU: 11  |  Origin: Northern Michigan, USA  |  Style: American Light Lager  |  Brewery: Short's Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Short's Brewing Company operates out of Bellaire, Michigan, a small town in the heart of Northern Michigan's Antrim County. Founded by Joe Short, the brewery has built a reputation for inventive, boundary-pushing beers alongside accessible everyday offerings. Local's Light sits firmly in the latter camp — an all-grain light lager brewed entirely with pilsen malt. This is a meaningful departure from mass-produced domestic light lagers, which typically rely on rice or corn as fermentable adjuncts to lighten body and reduce cost. By keeping the grain bill pure, Short's delivers a light beer with genuine malt character at a sessionable 5.2% ABV and restrained 11 IBU bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright and effervescent off the pour, Local's Light opens with clean malted barley and subtle lager yeast character. Behind the grain, light notes of sweet apple and a whisper of floral hop round out a gentle, inviting nose.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward without heaviness, delivering a touch of bready sweetness across the mid-palate. A slight citrus edge and faint hop presence emerge as the beer opens up. The malt remains the anchor throughout, with no cloying sweetness or harsh bitterness to interrupt the flow.

Finish: Crisp and remarkably clean, the finish drops off quickly with a brief flash of grain and dry carbonation. There is no lingering aftertaste — just a refreshing snap that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Local's Light

Local's Light is built for drinking cold and uncomplicated — straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass. Its clean profile also makes it a surprisingly capable beer for simple cocktail-style serves. A Michelada benefits from Local's Light's malt backbone, which holds up against lime, hot sauce, and tomato without adding unwanted sweetness. A classic Shandy pairing with fresh lemonade plays off the beer's subtle apple and citrus notes. For a low-effort summer serve, a Radler made with grapefruit juice and Local's Light produces a balanced, thirst-quenching drink with more depth than typical light beer versions.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard cookouts and lake days in warm weather
• Introducing craft-curious friends to a light lager with real flavor
• Pairing with casual fare like grilled burgers, tacos, or fried fish
• Supporting a Michigan-made brewery while drinking a genuinely sessionable beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Local's Light taste like? Local's Light delivers soft, bready malt flavor with a touch of sweet apple and very mild hop bitterness, finishing crisp and clean. It drinks lighter and more refreshing than its 5.2% ABV might suggest.

How does Local's Light compare to mass-produced light lagers? Most mainstream American light lagers use rice or corn adjuncts to thin the body, while Local's Light is brewed entirely with pilsen malt, giving it noticeably more grain character and flavor depth. At 5.2% ABV, it also carries slightly more weight than typical macro light lagers, which tend to sit between 4.0% and 4.2%.

Is Local's Light good for craft beer beginners? Absolutely — its familiar light lager profile is approachable and easy-drinking, but the all-pilsen-malt grain bill introduces genuine craft character without overwhelming the palate with hops or specialty malts.

Where is Local's Light made? Local's Light is brewed by Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire, Michigan, located in Antrim County in Northern Michigan. The brewery is a prominent fixture in the state's craft beer scene.

What foods pair well with Local's Light? Grilled chicken or bratwurst works well, as the beer's crispness cuts through charred fat. Fish tacos with lime complement the subtle citrus notes. A simple cheese pizza allows the malt character to shine. Fresh salads with vinaigrette benefit from the clean, palate-cleansing carbonation. Fried perch or walleye — a Northern Michigan staple — is a natural regional pairing.

What sizes does Local's Light come in? Local's Light is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Local's Light worth the price? Local's Light positions as an everyday craft lager — priced above mass-market domestic light beers but competitive within the craft six-pack tier. The all-pilsen-malt grain bill and genuine flavor depth justify the modest premium over adjunct-brewed alternatives.

Why Local's Light?

The American light lager category is dominated by adjunct-brewed beers designed for maximum drinkability at minimum cost, often at the expense of flavor. Local's Light takes a different path by using 100% pilsen malt and no rice or corn shortcuts, producing a light beer that actually tastes like beer. With a restrained 11 IBU and clean 5.2% ABV, it threads the needle between craft credibility and genuine sessionability. For drinkers who want a light lager from a real brewery — one rooted in Northern Michigan and committed to all-grain brewing — Local's Light earns its place in the cooler.