Short’s Brewing Company- Nicie Spicie: Simply AMAZING!

A couple of weeks back, Steve, Rafael and I made the trek up to Grand Rapids, MI for our allotment of the coveted Canadian Breakfast Stout.  On our way back home I asked the guys if they minded that we stop at a liquor store to stock up on some local brew that we can’t get in Illinois.  They agreed and we made a stop at the Liquor Cabinet in St. Joseph, MI.  I had been there back in March for a friend’s wedding ad knew that they carried a great local selection.  I walked the isles looking for something to jump out at me and as I reached the cooler I noticed a decent selection of brews from Short’s Brewing Company.  There were a couple that I know I’ve had or had back at the house but one in particular didn’t sound familiar.  I grabbed a six pack of their Nicie Spicie and proceeded to read the description on the bottle.  It read, “American Wheat Ale with orange zest, lemon zest, coriander & peppercorns.”  Yep, I started drooling right there in the store.  I knew that if the beer lived up to the decription I’d be in heaven, let’s find out.

Short’s Brewing Company classifies this brew as a spiced wheat ale and their website describes Nicie Spicie as, “A Northern Michigan spiced wheat ale made with a 50/50 blend of malted barley and malted white wheat. Packed with fresh citrus zest, then spiced with coriander and a three peppercorn blend, this light bodied ale is complex yet scrumptious. Exemplified by its gorgeous golden color, this beer is crisp and refreshing.”

Nicie Spicie pours a bright yellow with a ¼” off white head.  The aroma is white pepper up front followed by lemon and coriander.

I’m going to start out by saying that last year I had mentioned to Steve about an idea I had for a home brew, the flavor and taste I imagined is Nicie Spicie to a T.  This is a brilliantly crafted, unique brew that I am so freaking glad I had the opportunity to try.  The flavor is simply amazing.  Nicie Spicie starts out with a nice wheat beer flavor, then you get hit with the citrus and coriander and then the peppercorns kick in ever so perfectly complimenting a spectacular citrus finish that leave a hint of pepper lingering in the after taste.  All I have to say it, “Fucking WOW.”  So far this year I have only had a few brews that completely blew my mind, Short’s Nicie Spicie is on that short list (no pun intended).  Seeing that this is a Summer seasonal, there is a good chance that you may have to wait till next year to experience this epic brew.  This is definitely another example of, “had I known it was this good” I would have bought them out of their inventory.  That being said, I will be making a trip up to Michigan next year to stock up on this one for sure.  This is a can’t miss brew in my book and just reinforces some of the rumblings I heard last year at GABF about how Short’s Brewing Company is the next Dogfish Head, I believe!  This is seriously in the running for my GBOAT 2011.

ABV: 4.5%

Consumed: Mother Earth Brewing Glass

Verdict: Buy a Keg! (Hell, buy a truck load!)