Brewery Profile

Short's Brewing Co - Production Facility

In Bellaire, the Short’s name is tied to the place where the company began brewing in 2004. A visitor looking for the brewery experience here should understand the distinction between the original pub brewery in Bellaire and the dedicated production facility in Elk Rapids, which was added later to support wider distribution. The Bellaire stop is the public-facing brewpub side of the operation, rather than the main canning, bottling, and kegging site. Walking in, visitors are encountering the brewery’s local base: the place most directly connected to its early years, its taproom identity, and its role in making Bellaire a recognizable name for Michigan beer drinkers.

Travelers in this part of Michigan often look for breweries that connect local stops with beers they may have seen elsewhere around the Great Lakes. Short’s fits that pattern because its reputation has been built around experimental and highly creative beer styles while still maintaining recognizable core brands. Flagship beers such as Soft Parade fruit ale and Huma Lupa Licious IPA give visitors familiar reference points, while the broader appeal is the chance to see what else is pouring at the source. For people moving through northern Michigan, a stop here can serve both purposes: tasting beers associated with regional distribution and checking whether the day’s tap list includes something less widely available.

For practical planning, treat Bellaire and Elk Rapids as different parts of the same company rather than interchangeable visitor sites. The Elk Rapids plant handles production for distribution, including canning, bottling, and kegging for regional and broader markets, while the Bellaire location continues as the brewpub. Public access, tour availability, food service, event schedules, and current draft options should be confirmed directly before making the trip, because those details can change and are not the same as the production role of the Elk Rapids facility. If your main goal is to drink on site, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours; if your interest is the production operation, check ahead rather than assuming walk-in access to the plant.

Short's Brewing Company began operations in Bellaire, Michigan, establishing its initial pub brewery location in 2004. The company quickly expanded its capacity, necessitating the construction of a dedicated production facility several miles away in Elk Rapids to handle wider distribution across the Midwest. Known initially for experimental and highly creative beer styles, the brewery maintains a core lineup that includes flagship offerings like Soft Parade fruit ale and Huma Lupa Licious IPA. The Bellaire location continues to operate as a brewpub, while the Elk Rapids plant manages canning, bottling, and kegging for regional and national markets. Distribution focuses primarily on the Great Lakes region, though select limited releases reach further territories.

Website available

121 N Bridge Street, Bellaire, MI 49615, United States, Bellaire, Michigan, 49615

Phone: (231) 498-2300

Website: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/