Frankliln's, 11/10/08

Franklin's Brewery
Hyattsville, MD
Mon, 11/10/08, 6:15pm

House Brews:
Bombshell Blonde
Anarchy Ale (J)
Sierra Madre Pale Ale
Maple Porter (B)
Private IPA
Rubber Chicken Red
ESB
Nitro: ESB

Maple Porter:
Deep chocolate color with auburn highlights. Head is faint. Roasty chocolate aroma mixed with the grassiness of hops. Roasted coffee and chocolate malts are well combined and nicely balanced with enough hops to notice but not enough to overwhelm. Body is perhaps a tiny bit on the thin side, but it has some of the viscosity the other porters I've tried recently have lacked. A pleasant and full mouthfeel. Flavors remain balanced all through the swallow and finish. The added sweetness of the maple in its name is evident at the tail of the finish and more as the beer warms. A nicely crafted beer. 8.5

Anarchy Ale:
Slight head that doesn't totally disappear. Unfiltered, coppery-orange color. There is a strong hop presence, but the malts are also there. There is quite a lot going on with this beer. Body is strong. There is an underlying citrus taste. My only criticism is that there is a slightly off taste in the end of the swallow. Overall, however, it is a tasty, interesting cross of an IPA and a pale ale. 8.6