Short's Pub: Beyond the Beer

By Ross Boissoneau | Jan. 29, 2022

Short’s Brewing is iconic in the area. Whether it’s Soft Parade, Bellaire Brown or Huma Lupa Licious, or slightly more exotic varieties such as Melt My Brain or Double Psychedelic Cat Grass, the company’s beers have received awards, accolades, and affirmation across the state and beyond. They’ve helped put Bellaire on the map.

While you can pick them up at stores across the region, there’s nothing like stopping in at the brewpub in downtown Bellaire. But is there more there than beer?

Yes, absolutely. Sandwiches, pizza, a homey setting, and occasional live music bring life to downtown Bellaire, whatever the season. Christa Brenner, the creative and marketing manager for Short’s, says a large part of the credit for the brewpub’s success goes to General Manager Erin Kuethe. “She's the head of the pub operation and one of the biggest reasons the experience is so excellent,” Brenner says.

For her part, Kuethe says the pub is a place that feels relaxed and cheerful. “What sets us apart is the atmosphere. It’s cozy and comfortable,” she says. 

She says that is not only what draws patrons, but employees as well. “Why do people work here? It’s because of the atmosphere.”

Of course, none of that would matter if the food wasn’t up to snuff. No worries there. “We know people do love our food. It’s simple but from scratch, even the mayo and pizza sauce.”

Ah yes, pizza: staple of bars and brewpubs everywhere. In addition to the usual suspects — pepperoni, peppers, olives, artichokes, etc. — there are a number of specialty items available. They range from sausage made in-house and pulled pork to shredded chicken, cilantro, and a host of cheeses: feta, blue, pepper jack, smoked gouda.

That leads to a number of specialty pizzas, like Big Jim, with braised beef, roasted peppers and onions, white cheddar, and white sauce. Fall Out, with pulled pork and bacon, with jalapeno, pineapple, BBQ sauce and a maple sriracha drizzle. Or Johnny On The Spot, with bacon, blue cheese, a white sauce and Granny Smith apple slices.

Kuethe said the menu is several steps above where things started when the pub opened. “When I first started, there was a real small kitchen. It was frozen crust — that was all we had room for. Now we have homemade dough. Pizza is gaining popularity,” she says. 

That’s all great, but there’s more. A raft of sandwiches plus almost-sandwiches like quesadilla and pork tacos. Several salads with ingredients like farro, chickpeas, black bean corn salsa, and salami. Shareable small plates, with tempting treats like soft pretzels, spinach-pesto-artichoke dip, and that day’s flavor of mac and cheese. Kuethe touts the White Pepper Sandwich as the top- selling item. This signature sandwich melds turkey, avocado, roasted red pepper, red onion, and provolone, all of it complemented by that house-made garlic chipotle mayo.

There are also specials, such as potato & bacon tacos, a breakfast blend of bacon, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, scallions, nacho cheese blend & sriracha sour cream. Or a sweet treat like caramel apple pizza, featuring house-made cider-infused apple-pie filling, crumb topping, and a salted caramel drizzle.

Kuethe says the forced a lot of changes for the pub, in terms of its business and the way it was handled. “We were lucky because our food was very accessible for takeout,” says Kuethe.

Lucky perhaps, but Short’s moved to take advantage of the situation. It built a pickup window and takeout center, so those who ordered food could stop in and have a beer while waiting for their food. Kuethe says the establishment still provides takeout and curbside service. 

And yes, there’s beer. Some 20-plus are available on tap. And come summer, the fun expands into the great outdoors, with picnic tables and a pavilion available.

All of which makes and keeps Short’s a steady presence in downtown Bellaire. It’s where friends meet and enjoy high-end comfort food, plus beer, cider, seltzer, or canned wine, all “made by people who care.”

Find Short's Brewing Company's Bellaire Pub at 121 N Bridge St. (231) 498-2300, shortsbrewing.com.