Founding Fathers: Washington D.C.

So we're in our nation's captiol this week.

Okay, I lied.  We're on the outskirts of the D.C. area on the Maryland side of the city, but from what I can tell from the news, there is abolutely nothing going on in the middle of this city worth paying attention to.  Mostly a lot of men in suits figuring out new and exiting ways to screw a lot of people over and steal a staggering amount of money.  It's probably better for everyone involved if we find a quite place to sit and weather the storm with a pint.  And I have found such a place.

Franklin's Brewery, Restruant and General Store is... well it's a little out there.  Both in scope and brewing style which is just kinda awsome.  I think the best way to describe this place is, it's like the Cracker Barrel for lunatics.  They've got a nice restruant, an attached gift shop with all sorts of eclectic wares and enough beer to keep the voices quiet for a few precious minutes.  The whole place has kind of a relaxed art house feel which is kind of cool.  That same style translates into how they brew beer which leads to some fun when it comes time to sink a few pints.

Old Miser: A winter ale with a light fruity aroma.  It's quite malty with some rich, maybe just slightly tart cherry fruit with some earthy woody notes and a slight pine bitterness.  Slightly unusual beer but excellent one. It's packs quite a bit of body but it has a very drinkable quality about it.

Highland Hugh:  No real aroma on this scotch ale.  The flavor is intently fruity with a slight rum flavor right off the top.  As the flavor continued to work through the palate I picked up some leather and some and a slightly bitter finish.

Broken Gnome:  This is a darker belgian ale with a light Bananna aroma.  The flavor contains leathery, spicy notes that kind of start out and fade into a light bed of tropical fruit that's quintessentially Belgian.  It's takes the imbiber to a weird place for a minute before returning them home a little confused but overall very pleased with the experience.

Private IPA: Typical citrusy aroma.  It's very hoppy but its one of those beers that has enough hop flavor and malt to balance the bitterness, something that I seem to be finding more and more.  Maybe it's me and the hopheads of the world are finally wearing me down. 

Hop Zen: A hoppy beer that's closer to a bitter amber ale.  Similar hop and flavor profile as the Private IPA  with a flash of caramel and toasted grains that help manage the hop bill.

Black hop down: I'm sensing a pattern in the aroma.  The dark beer qualities, black roasted grain coffee, appear in the background and serve to prop up the hops.  

Farewell to Farms: I pick up a lot of floral aroma here with a hint of caramelly sweetness.   In the flavor the sweetness and the floral hop qualities really play well together.  It's not overtly sweet but just a nice, flavorful lighter beer.