There are beers that are meant to please the masses. And then there are beers – like Imperial Spruce India Pilsner – born from the spirit of non-conformity, where each drop bears a bold creative imprint and an unmistakable identity.
Born from the hands of brewers who dare to think differently, this beer is not only a combination of classic Pilsner style and wild pine needle flavor – but also a symbol of the philosophy of “fearless creativity” of Short's Brewing Company.
From the microbrewery at Michigan to the banquet tables in the middle of nature, Imperial Spruce India Pilsner has conquered the hearts of beer lovers in its own unique way: rustic but elaborate, wild but sophisticated. This article will take you into the world of that special beer - where the intoxication does not only come from the concentration, but from each layer of forest aroma and emotion that touches deep into the taste buds.
1. History of the Brewery: Short's Brewing Company
1.1. The Beginning of Founding – When the Dream Begins to Sprout
Some dreams start from the smallest things – a kitchen corner, a beer kettle, a young heart full of enthusiasm. 2002, Joe Short – a 22-year-old boy with messy hair and bright eyes – wrote the first lines for the story called Short's Brewing Company.
While his peers were still uncertain about the direction of life, Joe chose his own path – following the strong aroma of barley and hops. A year later, he did not buy a big house or a luxury car, but bought an old hardware store in the town of Bellaire, Michigan. In a place with the smell of old wood and dust of time, Joe built a brewpub – a dream built with both hands and mind.
April 26, 2004, the brewpub officially opened. And from that day on, this place not only sells beer – but also tells stories. Stories with a gentle bitter taste, soft white foam and sweet yeast.
1.2. Growth & Expansion – From Bellaire to Elk Rapids
The dream does not sleep in the corner of the small shop. 2008–2009Joe and his team headed to Elk Rapids, a sleepy town on Lake Michigan. There, they bought an old manufacturing facility and breathed new life into it with modernity and passion.
From a few thousand barrels, they increased the capacity to 30,000 barrels/year – a number that not only represents growth, but also a testament to the desire to spread the taste of craft everywhere.
Then year 2016, Short's decided to share about 20% of its heart with Lagunitas - a global brand of Heineken. The decision was not to lose its identity, but to allow the drops of beer with the spirit of Michigan to reach many new shores.
And to 2021, they launched Pull Barn – a beer drinking space in the middle of Elk Rapids nature. There, each glass of beer is a rendezvous between people and the sky, between tradition and modernity, between simplicity and innovation.
1.3. Culture & Philosophy – Creativity Is the Yeast of the Soul
If there is one thing that makes Short's always memorable, it is the spirit of "fearless creativity" - daring to think differently, daring to do strange things.
Not afraid of tomatoes, not refusing licorice roots, even green pine needle shoots become raw materials for their creativity. With Short's, there is no limit to exploration – as long as the last drop of beer still leaves the drinker smiling happily.
Brewpub at Bellaire not just a place to pour beer, but a place to recreate the old tavern spirit of early America. Inspired by the founding taverns – where people shared their life stories – the space here is poetic, warm, close and has the flavor of an old time.
2. Beer Line: Imperial Spruce India Pilsner
2.1. Birth Scene & Origin – When Kim Thong Touched Yeast
Around the year 2006–2007, as the soft afternoon light bathed the roof of a Bellaire brewpub, Joe Short began experimenting with a bold new line of beers called the Imperial Beer Series. Among them, Spruce India Pilsner is a gem – an almost insane combination of light Pilsner and the forest aroma of deep green pine needles.
First appeared in bottle form 750ml with alcohol concentration 10%, this beer was a strong statement: that nature could live in beer, that plants could also tell stories of intoxication. Later, it was refined into a version 12oz with 7.15% ABV – softer but no less charming.
2.2. Materials & Process – When Plants Become Melodies
Imperial Spruce India Pilsner is more than just a blend of ingredients – it's a symphony of earth, water, and heart.
The beer base is built from Pilsner malt combined with flaked maize – brings a light sweetness, as light as sunlight through leaves. But the real highlight comes from the young shoots of the Blue Spruce tree – the life buds are hand-picked, fresh to the core.
Not from a lifeless industrial garden, but from the backyard of the neighbor – Matthew Grockau – where every pine buds Harvested while still in spring, rich in essential oils and carrying the breath of mother earth.
Pine needle scent are added to beer not as spices to taste, but as the soul of this beer. They seep through each sip, evoking a feeling of coolness, spiciness and a bit of wildness – like when you step into a pine forest after the first rain of summer.
Fermented in the IPA style, Spruce India Pilsner Unafraid to carry a seductive bitter aftertaste, balanced by a light body and a golden color like the Michigan afternoon sun.
3. Style – When Classic Looks Meet Wild Souls
3.1. Main Style – Imperial Pilsner: Cold Coat, Warm Heart
Imperial Spruce India Pilsner wearing the cloak of the order Imperial Pilsner – a version“double” stronger than the traditional Pilsner. Although still a lager – cold brewed and bottom fermented – inside is a whole crazy universe of flavors and emotions.
If classic Pilsner is a crisp morning in a meadow, Imperial Pilsner is a sunset in a pine forest – intense, vibrant, and unabashedly awakening to the senses. Short's describes it as a “Double/Imperial Pilsner” – a bold flow that still maintains a rare balance.
3.2. Color – Like Gold In A Glass Cup
Imagine a late afternoon sun shining through pine needles, gently touching your beer – that's the color of Spruce India Pilsner.
Beer poured out clear golden amber – like an inviting halo, shimmering without being dazzling. The creamy white foam that covers the top is like a floating cloud, smooth and lasting, evoking a feeling of purity and relaxation – like a field covered in dew in the early morning.
3.3. Alcohol Content (ABV) – Strong But Not Too Strong
The first version, bottled in 750ml in 2007, had an alcohol content of up to 10% – like a burning kiss from the first meeting. However, since 2010, the standard version has been adjusted to 7.15% ABV – enough to warm the heart, but still smooth enough for a long-lasting enjoyment.
Some limited editions are noted for their 8.3% – like unexpected variations of an improvised jazz piece, making the connoisseur raise his glass to explore.
3.4. Bitterness (IBU) – A Warm Hug From The Green Forest
With about 80 IBU – some sources even say 85 – Imperial Spruce India Pilsner is far beyond the standard of a regular Pilsner. But that bitterness is not painful, but like a jungle whisper – strong but embracing, taking the connoisseur into the depths of the taste buds.
It's not just the bitterness – it's the flavor of the pine needles pouring out through every sip.
4. The Art of Enjoyment – When a Glass of Beer Is Also a Sacred Moment
4.1. Ideal Temperature and Glass Type – Cold Enough to Awaken the Smell of the Forest
45–50°F, equivalent 7–10°C – it’s the perfect temperature for Imperial Spruce India Pilsner to reveal its layers of flavor. Not too cold to numb the tongue, not too warm to blur the purity.
Choose one Pilsener Glass or Play – tall, slim, like a dancer spinning in the forest wind. The glass is not only beautiful, but also born to honor this beer.
- It keeps the white foam as durable as the clouds covering the mountain top.
- It shows off its golden amber glow – the sparkling light of a pine forest at sunset.
- And most importantly, it captures the aroma – so that every time you raise your glass, you take a full breath of the alluring scent of pine resin and hops.
4.2. Food Suggestions – When Taste Finds a Soulmate
The high bitterness and fresh pine needle aroma make Imperial Spruce India Pilsner the perfect companion to bold, hearty, and characterful dishes.
- BBQ Grilled Meat – ribs, brisket or spicy smoky sausage: let the pine scent “cut” the fat layer, bringing out the richness in each piece of meat.
- Grilled salmon with black pepper sauce – fatty, smooth, and a little spicy will melt in harmony with the delicate pine aftertaste.
- Citrus or herbs – like roasted chicken with rosemary or orange peel salad – create a harmony between nature and taste.
- Aged cheddar or smoked gouda cheese – rich, salty fat, balanced with a medium body and woody bitterness.
4.3. The Ideal Occasion – When A Glass of Beer Becomes a Complete Emotion
You don’t always need a fancy party to open a bottle of Imperial Spruce. Just the right moment – and the beer will be magical.
- Weekend afternoon with friends – opening 1-2 bottles is like opening a story full of pine scent and smiles.
- Picnic in the autumn forest, outdoor barbecue – where the smell of burning wood blends with the aroma of beer to create unforgettable memories.
- Enjoy alone with cheese, charcuterie – no main course, no party – just you, a beer, and some great silence.
5. Conclusion – The Journey of a Sip of Forest in a Glass of Beer
Some beers are simply a drink – and some are a journey. Imperial Spruce India Pilsner is more than just a product of brewing technique, it’s a product of imagination, creativity, and a deep love of the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.
From the lush green pine buds hand-picked from the garden, to the shimmering amber under the afternoon sun, each drop of beer is a whisper of the forest – both intense and gentle. It invites you to sit down, listen and feel. Not rushed, not carelessly – but like a conversation between you and yourself, between people and earth
Imperial Spruce is a beer for those who dare to challenge their taste, dare to love the difference, and appreciate the beauty of simplicity. It does not try to please the majority, but touches the hearts of dreamers - those who believe that in every glass of beer, there can be a whole forest hidden.
So… are you ready to step into the woods? Raise a glass, and let Imperial Spruce India Pilsner take you on a journey of flavors that are both wild and surprisingly gentle.
