Wormholes

^^^^^^^The new Blonde straight from the filter^^^^^^^



Watch out for these things, sometimes they appear out of nowhere, suck you in and make you not update your blog for three weeks...

In case anyone has been wondering what's been going on here at Franklin's, I'll give you the lowdown. The last few weeks has seen some new beers,revisions and old "new" favorites return.

First things first I'm happy to report our new batch of Bombshell Blonde hit the taps a couple weeks ago and I'm really happy with the results. There were no big changes with this beer, only a slight modification, but the results are highly noticeable. The major change with this beer was the use of our new house yeast which I implemented a "pseudo lager" fermentation. Fermenting this beer at lower temps (mid 50s F) helps make this beer much cleaner,smoother,crisper and anymore adjectives you'd like to throw on here. The result is a beer that although technically an ale resembles a lager due to its decrease in fruity esters and cleaner,crisper finish.Its already gaining more sales then the its previous versions and the weather is just starting to warm up, look out summer!

We've also tapped a new Belgian-style Tripel named Tripel Bliss. At 9% ABV this interpretation is quite legit as it incorporates a mix of fruit esters,delicate spice, candy sugar sweetness and a touch of alcoholic warmth underneath it all. Made with primarily Belgian Pilsner malt and a large addition of sugar this beer has enough complexity to continue to develop as it ages but is highly drinkable even now at eight weeks.

Finally we've tapped our encore batch of Golden Opportunity, but who am I kidding, this beer will no doubt be making more regular appearances throughout the year as time/space allows.Enjoy it while its here, if history is any indicator, it won't make it through Maryland graduation.
Every job has its perks.

Championship Week

Its that time of year again, when the best of conference match ups collide head to head. This week its been Mike vs. Private IPA, Mike vs. Bombshell Blonde and Mike vs. Miami Weiss- all worthy competitors. They were all hard fought battles but I'm happy to say they all went down like the sweet little unfermented worts that they are and are currently under lock and key in the fermentation room. Look for the Miami Weiss to hit the taps sometime around March 25th-ish, I think this is one of the most interesting beers I've made in a while and will no doubt be a perfect accompaniment to the spring weather ahead.Its a Orange Blossom Honey Wheat with orange zest.If you're wondering about Orange Blossom Honey its described as "juicy" honey, sweet with hints of citrus or as I like to refer to it in technical professional brewer terms, "yummy". This past weekend was highlighted by the tapping of our Belgian Dubbel and Dry Stout, which we are serving on nitrogen through a stout faucet as well as straight CO2, so take your pick which version you like,just promise me you'll try both.

A little beer conditioning up date, kind of like the progress report you got at school, the Tripel Bliss (Belgian Tripel) and Double IPA are really starting to take shape. The Tripel finished at 9% ABV and is really started clean up nice, its very smooth on the pallet considering its warmth. The Double IPA is...how do I say...hoppy, there I said it. It finished out at 8% ABV and is slowly dropping yeast which helps bring those hops a little more forward each and every day.

Well I'm off now to a food show at Fed EX Field, I'm hoping to come across some nice specialty glassware that we can serve our high gravity and half pour Belgians in.