A major Michigan brewery has started a hard cider brand that it is rolling out across the region and state.

Short’s Brewing Co. will introduce its Starcut Ciders brand this week with taps at bars and restaurants.

Going statewide

In February, Starcut began distribution in the counties surrounding Short’s Bellaire headquarters: Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska, Antrim, Emmett and Charlevoix.

Short’s said the hard cider was well received in northern Michigan.

Short’s has ramped up production of the hard ciders to allow for statewide distribution through Imperial Beverage, which has distributed Short’s beer for more than a decade.

Local fruit

Short’s head brewer Tony Hansen is at the helm of the project. He also acts as the company’s head hard cider maker.

“One of my primary motivations to produce Starcut Ciders has always been to use the fruit from our local farms,” Hansen said. “I want to highlight northern Michigan as a cider destination, support our neighboring farms and help preserve Michigan’s agricultural landscape that so many of us love.”

Medal-winning start

The company has made 17 ciders using more than 100,000 apples.

The company performed well at this year’s Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition in Grand Rapids, winning 10 medals.

“I wanted to take the time to transform them into ciders that we feel will truly represent the modern Michigan cider that we have intended to create,” Hansen said. “We have our foundation laid. Now we can start to experiment further.”

Short’s Brewing

Short’s Brewing Co. is one of the state’s largest brewers, but has stayed committed to distributing within the Mitten’s borders.