If you find yourself near the turquoise waters of Torch Lake, make a point to visit Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire. This place isn’t new to the game—Joe Short opened it back in 2004 in a former hardware store, and what started as a tiny, local brewpub has grown into one of Michigan’s most well-known beer brands.  We have had a cottage up north about 30 minutes away and did not even realize this gem was here until just a few years ago.  Once visited we go back every summer season, more than once.

My understanding is that Joe still leads the creative direction, and the leadership team feels close-knit in the best way. Scott, the English-born CEO, came on board in 2007 as a silent partner. Tony heads up brewing as Chief Innovation Officer. Tyler’s been the COO since 2019, and Rachel keeps the numbers tight as CFO. It’s not a faceless operation—it’s a hands-on crew that clearly loves what they do.   Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.  In fact, we met Scott recently and he offered to take us for a tour of the entire brewery.  What a treat.

The vibe is casual and welcoming, and the food is great. We started with cheesy garlic bread and soft pretzels—classic, done right, and exactly what you want with a beer in hand. Then came the pizzas and deli sandwiches  They both were exceptional.  Every sandwich was something you would remember and for us, go back for, multiple times a year. The sandwiches were packed with fresh deli meat and layered with flavorful additions like roasted red peppers, or avocados.   You don’t usually leave a brewery craving the sandwich more than the beer, but here we were. You will love it

Their menu is actually full of options: pizza, wraps, salads, soups, appetizers, and about 20 draft beers on tap—many of which you can only get at this location. Soft Parade is a go-to in our family. It’s a fruit-forward ale with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, but it’s not syrupy or sweet. It’s clean, easy-drinking, and distinctly Short’s. That’s part of what makes their lineup so good—there’s something for everyone.

Since opening their production facility in Elk Rapids in 2009, they’ve expanded massively. They even sold a minority stake to Lagunitas (Heineken) in 2017 to support national distribution. Today, you can find Short’s beers in over 3,200 locations across Michigan and beyond—Ohio, Indiana, Florida, and a few other states. But the original Bellaire location still feels like the heart of it all.

People love this place for good reason. Reviewers on BeerAdvocate call it one of their favorite brewpubs, and the food gets high praise across Yelp and TripAdvisor. Sure, some mention the service can be a little slow when it’s packed, but that’s to be expected when the whole town shows up. And now they’ve added a full beer garden across the street and continue to support community projects—things like trail building, local housing, and equity initiatives across Northern Michigan.

Bottom line? This is more than a brewery, it’s a Northern Michigan landmark. Great beer, great food, and an authentic feel that hasn’t been lost to growth. If you’re headed anywhere near Bellaire, add it to your list.  They don’t take reservations so be sure to plan your visit to include a short wait.   They add you to a text list so feel free to wonder about outside as there are several small shops to visit in Bellaire which is a quintessential small northern Michigan town you are sure to fall in love with.