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If you’ve got more than enough Bob Ross moments — happy little accidents — in your life, then I envy you. Most of us could use far more of those than the world provides. And when they happen, or when we stumble upon them, they should be enjoyed, cherished, and even celebrated.

I experienced a pleasantly surprising moment recently (actually, more than one) when I walked into a familiar place known to serve beer, although I only expected to find the usual selection found in most restaurants. My plan was merely to grab a quick meal, not to embark on a vast exploration of exquisite brews. The last time I visited the establishment, I found nothing especially remarkable about their choice of beers. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed on their menu a beer prominently advertised as a joint effort between the restaurant and a local brewery.

The surprises didn’t end there. As I browsed the rest of the beer list, I discovered an array of craft beers hailing from around NH and MA, each with different distinct styles and intriguing descriptions. For a split second, I wondered if I had somehow been mysteriously transported to HopKnot in downtown Manchester! Yet another delightful surprise ensued when I finally tasted the collaboration beer, which was utterly delicious. In fact, it was so good that it nearly made me forget all about ordering their quesadillas.

I’ve always been a fan of the quesadillas at Shorty’s Mexican RoadHouse, specifically from the Northside Plaza in Manchester (almost in Hooksett). In terms of beers, I had expected the usual ones like Corona, Dos Equis, and Budweiser. While they did have those staple brands, I hadn’t anticipated that Shorty’s would carry an extensive array of locally brewed selections. Whoever is responsible for their beer selection has definitely stepped things up. The Nashua location probably has similar offerings, although a quick look at the Untappd page for Shorty’s Nashua revealed differences in the Manchester beer list. They offer a different but equally exciting array of beers, which means I might find myself craving Mexican food in Nashua soon!

The night of my visit, I had a craving for quesadillas and saw several options on the menu that were new to me. The one that caught my eye was the Little Havana Cuban, a delightful combination of pulled pork, ham, dill pickles, mustard & swiss cheese. The mere description was enough to make my mouth water, so naturally, I ordered it. It was not only delicious but also so filling that I brought half of it home, which made for a great meal the next day.

The breweries brewing in collaboration brought forth a new beer, KettleHead Brewing located in Tilton, a venue we featured in a previous column. They named the beer Shorty’s Super Hombre. This IPA had a light hop presence, complemented by a subtle hint of citrus. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to savoring more as the weather becomes warmer. It’s unclear whether the credits go to the Shorty’s or KettleHead team, but this brew is undeniably a front-runner. I hope to see many more such collaborations.

My next day began with a hangover — not due to the drink (I had just one beer, and that too with dinner), but because of the anticipation of enjoying more of Shorty’s beer selection. It was clear to me that I had to revisit soon and delve deeper into their brew list. And that’s exactly what I did – I found myself back at Shorty’s on a weekday evening. As usual, the place was bustling with customers, however, I was able to find a spot at the bar.

During this visit, I decided to complement my beer with my old favourite from Shorty’s, a portobello mushroom quesadilla. It was filled with caramelized onions, spinach, and pepper jack cheese. It was delicious and less filling as compared to the Cuban, yet equally remarkable.

I began my beer exploration with a brew I remembered from my previous visit – the Cloud Candy IPA, crafted by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. located in Waltham. This brew was certainly memorable. A wonderfully crisp IPA with a smooth finish, it had the perfect balance of sweetness. It was light, but not too light, and was thankfully not insubstantial.

While the bartender was refilling my drink, the keg unfortunately ran out. As a consequence, I began with only a half-filled glass. This twist of fate opened the door to exploration.

Prior to my quesadilla being served, I decided to order a Funk Daddy sour IPA from Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company located in Worcester. This unique brew was described as a NEIPA turned magically into a sour with a flavor profile containing aspects of lemon and orange zest. Although I tend to not lean towards IPAs, and even less so towards NEIPAs, I must admit this particular drink was quite satisfactory. The process of transforming a NEIPA into a sour is somewhat of a mystery to me, but the end result was definitely enjoyable with its subtle touch of citrus taste.

Accompanying my quesadilla, I opted for an Easy Operator IPA from Deciduous Brewing Company based in Newmarket. Surprisingly, it was another hit! It seems like I am developing a taste for IPAs. This one was slightly hazy with a tinge of pink, and lacked the strong hoppy flavor usually associated with IPAs. Regardless of the categorization, it was certainly a tasty beverage.

I am looking forward to visiting Shorty’s in Manchester once again, and there are a few other drinks that certainly seem worth exploring.

And when I make it to their Nashua restaurant, the beer palette looks really broad & colorful:

So do yourself a favor. Go out for some delicious Mexican food at Shorty’s in Manchester or Nashua, and while you’re there, take a stroll through the wild side of their beer menu. ¡Y buena suerte!

Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse in Manchester is located at…

1050 Bicentennial Drive,

Manchester NH 03104

(near Hannaford, almost in Hooksett)

Phone number: 603-625-1730

Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse in Nashua is located at…

48 Gusabel Ave,

Nashua NH 03063

(near the Nashua Mall)

Phone number: 603-882-4070

Hours:

Sun-Thu — 11:30a – 9p