Here’s another entry in my occasional series of posts about visits to local brew pubs and beer bars…

Franklins Restaurant, Brewery and General Store

Where it’s Located: 5121 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781 — inside the Beltway, 14 miles southeast from the home base in Kensington

When Visited: February 18, 2013

Occasion: Presidents Day. After a crazy-busy three-day weekend we crossed the last thing off our to-do list and rewarded ourselves with dinner out at Franklins. It had been over two years since our last visit – way too long!

Beers Sampled: There were 11 house beers on tap and I ordered the generous sampler.

• Bombshell Blonde (4.5%), Franklins lightest offering, an American blonde ale brewed for the local college students
• Rubber Chicken Red (5%), an American Amber Ale
• Twisted Turtle Pale Ale (5.5%), an English-style Pale Ale
• Sierra Madre (5.5%), a West Coast-style Pale Ale
• Private IPA (6.9%), this hoppy IPA has a nice hop character provided by Columbus and Amarillo hops
• Oatmeal Stout (5.5%), a smooth and drinkable Stout
• The Half Man (3.5%), Franklins’ take on a Belgian Enkel (single ale) is an easy-drinking session beer
• The Hops Strike Black (8%), this Double Black IPA was brewed “A long time ago in a brewery far, far away…”
• Don’t Believe the Hype (8.5%), I love the nod to Public Enemy by this Double IPA
• Ridiculous (6.8%), this American Sour Red Ale is “fruity with sharp but clean sourness”
• Jack the Giant Killer (10%), an English-style Barleywine – “Slay the giant within”

Filled my Growlers with: Rubber Chicken Red and Twisted Turtle Pale Ale. I loved the unique and hoppy brews on the Franklins beer menu but we usually go with easy-drinking session beers that Beth and I both like for our growler fills.

I was most impressed with: Everything – everything about the Franklins experience is superb – the atmosphere, menu, food, beer, service, and general store. The general store is the best! For more about what makes Franklins special, see my posts Franklins and Franklins, Part II.

Happy 11th Anniversary to Franklins! Wish I could join you for your 11th Anniversary Party and Open House on Sunday, February 24.

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