Didn't have a chance to check this thread while I was in TC so I unfortunately did not go to Shorts. I did make it to North Peak, Right Brain, Mackinaw, and Jolly Pumpkin.
There were slim pickins at the cottage (I didn't do the grocery shopping!):
Tuesday night started out at North Peak. I had the sampler:
Afterwards, got dropped off at Right Brain where again I started with the sampler:
1) Raspberry Ale
2) Lemon Wheat
3) Willpower Pale Ale
4) Scarborough Fair Spiced Ale - Brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (but of course). Very interesting beer, but nothing I would have many pints of.
5) Ethel the Frog ESB - by far the best beer that I had in TC!
6) Posh Poter - Chocolate porter laid down on local organic red raspberries - was not for me... The raspberries added to much tartness.
I was debating having The Exception Barleywine or a pint of Ethel the Frog. I finally decided on Ethel the Frog, but the friendly bartender made an exception and gave us a 5 oz sample of The Exception Barleywine. It was really medicinal, and I don't think I could have had much more than 5 oz of it.
We made our way to Union Street bar where my friends had Bell's Olberon and I took a break.
We walked over to Mackinaw brewery where I had the Summer Love wheat beer.
I don't remember it being to spectacular, but I was pretty drunk by then.
I took a day off to recover then went on a 40 mile bike ride around the peninsula saw some hop fields. Stopped at the Jolly Pumpkin for pizza and a sour beer on the way back down to Traverse City.
All in all a great time in TC. I emailed Right Brain for the recipe for Ethel the Frog ESB... We'll see if they respond. I hope so.