Full Pint Brewing Beer Dinner

Join us for the Franklin Inn Full  Pint Beer Dinner
on Sunday, January 25th at 4pm.

Click here to buy tickets! 

A great Christmas Gift.  Buy your sweetie tickets to a wonderful evening.

Enjoy a delicious four course meal designed especially for this dinner. Each accompanied by a Full Pint Brewing beer. Tom Marshall will be sharing information about local Full Pint Brewing. Chris is keeping most of the information about the meals and beers under wraps for now but he did say that you'd be enjoying their flagship beer, White Lightening. And, they'll be creating a special Mango Habanero Half Firkin or a "pin" just for the Franklin Inn. Not sure what a Firkin or a Pin is?  Check out this link: http://www.hoppytrailsbeernews.com/beer-trivia/what-the-firk-is-a-firkin/ 

According to Bierworks, "Both firkins and pins are loved by beer drinkers because they contain ale that has not gone through the rigors of industrial beer production (filters, pasteurization, force carbonation). As such, the ale that results can be incredibly full and flavorful, sometimes brewed with unusual ingredients. There’s yeasty activity going on there as the beer matures inside the cask. You never know what you might get."  I guess we'll get to taste and see for ourselves on the 25th.

Buy tickets to the Franklin Inn Full Pint Beer Dinner here. 

Chris and John recently toured local Full Pint Brewing for "research purposes" and were both impressed.  John says that he loved everything that was poured for him. Here are a few photos from their Full Pint Field Trip.

Honoring Our Veterans & Troops

Update: Wow! Thank you to everyone who helped collect supplies to mail to our troops. So many of you participated from a couple items to a bag of stuff (every item counts!). John and I took all your generous donations to the Bouck's Battalion drop off site at Sts. John and Paul Church this morning. We combined them into three big boxes, a shopping bag, and a duffel bag. Considering how little space most of the items took up in the boxes there must have been hundreds of toothbrushes, toothpastes, dental flosses, hand sanitizers, etc.  I was going to count them all and report back to you, but there were so many! Kim Boucek told me that it will cost about $9,000 to send these items along with the others collected and the cookies the girl scouts baked. Click here if you want to learn more about the break down of shipping costs or would like to make a donation to help with shipping.  Many of you wanted to help but couldn't stop by this week. Next year, I'll find out about this earlier in the process so that we can get the word out sooner. Again, thank you for your outstanding efforts in such a small time frame.

Thank you to our active, reserve, and retired veterans.

We'd like to treat you to a complimentary entree (lunch or dinner). Visit the Inn this week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Just show your military/veteran's ID or other proof of military service. No coupon or certificate is necessary. Thank you for your service.

For the Rest of Our Patrons: Would you join us in collecting items for our service men and women who won't be able to visit the Inn for a complimentary meal?

Troops Item Collection at the Franklin Inn
I received an email today from Boucek's Battalion. They have extended their collection deadline because they are short on some items. I became aware of BB last week when I volunteered to help my daughter, Julia, make cookies. Our local girl scouts organized a night at Ingomar Middle School. The girls made 2,000 cookies! BB will be sending the cookies for Christmas. But, they would like to send additional items that our troops could use.

Here is what they need most:
* Power/Protein Bars
* Eye drops
* Deodorant
* Decks of cards
* Puzzle books
* Socks
* Hand Sanitizers (small, pocket size bottles)
* Toothbrushes
* Dental Floss

Bring these items to the Franklin Inn between now and Thursday. I will take your donations Friday morning to the Boucek's Battalion drop off site. They can also use monetary gifts to help with mailing costs. Please don't give us these monetary gifts. Give financial contributions directly to BB. Visit their website for more details: www.bouceksbattalion.org.

Have a great week. See you at the Inn!
Wendy

wendy@franklininn.net
www.franklininn.net
www.facebook.com/franklininn
www.twitter.com/franklininn

The Devil's Pumpkin Ale

Lavery's The Devil's Pumpkin Ale was just tapped at the Inn. It's formerly known as Stingy Jack Pumpkin Ale.  Apparently, the name was changed due to a disagreement with a winery with a similar name. Which ever name you recognize this pumpkin ale by, Lavery says that it was named after the Irish legend of the Jack O Lantern. It's brewed with Pumpkins and Spices. Subtle spicing ensures you can enjoy more than one pint per session. It's a drier version of your standard pumpkin ale, not "cloyingly" sweet. Lavery says that it has a nice toasty/biscuity flavor from American pale ale malt, slight hop bitterness from Northern Brewer and uses the Lavery house yeast blend that leaves slightly fruity esters.

Lavery Brewery is an American craft brewery that "feels comfortable bouncing across brewing traditions and styles." They like traditional beers as much as they like extreme beers and try to walk a fine line between the two. They refer to themselves as a Pennsylvania-style craft brewery.

Lavery Brewing Company was founded in 2009 by husband and wife Jason & Nicole Lavery. Jason Lynch joined the brewing quest in 2010 to build their 10 barrel production brewery. Born and raised around Erie, PA, they are excited to bring something new and dynamic to the local beer culture - Brewing Innovative Ales in Small Batches!

Lavery's is pronounced 'Lav-ry' not 'Lave ry', a soft 'a' in the middle. Similar to 'have', not 'gave' according the brewery.

We've offered you many pumpkin beers on tap and in the bottles from the popular Pumking to some other less well-known but tasty pumpkin beers.  Lavery says that folks enjoy this one because it is not too sweet or spicy.  What do you think?  What's been your favorite pumpkin beer at the Inn? Let us know when you visit the Inn next or join the conversation on Face Book.

First Stop on the Ride for Ryan (Nova Scotia) - Wednesday, August 20th

The First Stop on the 2014 Ride for Ryan (Nova Scotia) is Wednesday, August 20th, at the Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant. Bring this voucher to the Inn (or mention it to your server) between 11am and 9pm and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Ryan Diviney Special Needs Trust. You can enjoy a nice meal and help a family in need. 

This will be the fourth bicycle ride that this dedicated group has taken to raise funds for the Diviney family and public awareness for Ryan and victims of violent crimes. The kick off before each ride has been a fundraiser at the Franklin Inn. See my past blog posts to learn more about the history of the Ride for Ryan:
2013 Ride for Ryan: West Coast Style
2012 Ride for Ryan: East Coast Style
2011 Ride for Ryan: First Annual Ride for Ryan

The ride gang is in the final stages of training hard for this year's Ride For Ryan. Eight riders will be conquering the 181 mile loop of rugged terrain along the coastline of the Nova Scotia maritime province. On the return trip to the states, the group will be stopping in Bar Harbor, ME to ride the Carriage Trails of Acadia National Park and complete the journey with a ride to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Whew! I think I'd collapse! Make that....I know that I would collapse!

Under the leadership of John Maletta, this group will be leaving in less than two weeks. Lets give them a great send off on Wednesday, August 20th at the Franklin Inn.

John Maletta shares, "I am reminded of the tragic cause that the ride represents and raises funds for each year. Ryan Diviney is the son of my college roommate (Ken Diviney) in Clarion. He was brutally beaten by two strangers while he was a student at WVU. This happened over four years ago and he continues to need continual care, medications, surgeries, etc., much of which is not covered by insurance. His life, and that of his entire family, has been irreparably altered. The Diviney family's lives have been dramatically changed forever, but I cannot sit by on the sidelines and not help my friend. We've done so much good for Ryan in the past three years through the Ride For Ryan and I'm looking for your generous help again this year."




Unfortunately, Ryan Diviney can not enjoy the pleasure of biking and travel for himself. Nor, a night out at a great restaurant with food and conversation shared among friends. In fact, it takes the care of loved ones to provide him with life's most basic needs. John asks you to please take a moment to read "about this horrific situation and everything that is being done to keep hope alive at www.ryansrally.org. Then, please consider donating to help this cause." Your donation can be made payable to the Ryan Diviney SNT (Special Needs Trust) and mailed to John Maletta at 2306 Salem Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237. All gifts large and small are most appreciated. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Ryan Diviney SNT. The ride gang is financing their own way on this trip.

Join us on Wednesday, August 20th at the Franklin Inn in Franklin Park, PA for the "First Stop on the Ride For Ryan." Bring this voucher or mention the Ride for Ryan and 20% of your lunch, dinner or bar tab will be donated to the Ride For Ryan. 

We look forward to seeing you at the Inn! Thank you.

Happy National Tequila Day!

Come celebrate with us today
through Saturday at the Franklin Inn. 

Sauza Tequila Girls Tonight: Tonight (Thursday only) from 6:30-8:30pm reps from Sauza will be at the Franklin Inn sampling Sauza Blue and their new Sauza 901 Tequila. They also promised to give a way some goodies. We had fun last time they sent reps to us. Hope you can make it.

Drink Specials
Chris made Jalapeno and Pineapple Infused Tequila

Happy Hour: 4pm to 6pm Today & Friday
$4 off Large & $2 off Half Mason Jar Margaritas

Horns Up Flight: 1/2 oz shots of Hornitos
Blanco, Reposado and Anejo $5

Sauza 901 Mason Jar Drink Specials (Small Mason Jar $9):

901 PM-Sauza 901 Silver, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, and Club Soda
La Senorita-Sauza 901 Silver, Smoked Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, and Cholula Hot Sauce
901 Blue - Sauza 901 Silver, Blue Curacao, sierra Mist, and sweet and sour mix

Special Menu Features
Margarita Wings Appetizer: Six wings deep fried, and tossed in Chris's specially made tequila and lime sauce, then grilled and seasoned with kosher salt and served with a lime wedge. $5.95

Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos: Served with rice and Mexican Corn. 13.95

Dessert: House made Tequila Ice Cream or Frozen Margarita Pie

Yards Beer Dinner

Join us for the Franklin Inn Yards Beer Dinner on Sunday, June 1st.

Our first beer dinner was a huge success and we've been asked over and over, "When is the next beer dinner?" Well....here it is...


















Join us for a delicious four course meal with beer pairings. Chris is researching and preparing a menu to out do the last one (if you can believe that!) and you'll get to try at least five different types of Yards Beers. One of them will be a hard to get special edition beer. We will be joined by a rep from Yards who will explain each beer with us and share really interesting stories about the various recipes. You'll be surprised to learn how the founding fathers were among Yard's inspirations.

Space is limited and our last beer dinner sold out in less than a month, so don't drag your feet or you may lose your seat. To register, visit our website www.franklininn.net. 

Here's what the attendees of our last beer dinner wrote on the event's comment cards:

"Great event....we love beer and love it more now! Food was outstanding...Very good!!!"

"It was all great."

"Casual fun!"

"The whole evening was great."

"Thank you for a wonderful event. Love the Franklin Inn."

"Everything was awesome! John and Chris did a fabulous job! Hope you have another one."

"Great variety of foods and beer flavors. Amazing. I had a great time. Thank you."

"This was a perfect event. Thank you."

"Food was amazing."

"Lovely evening."

"Overall great beer experience."

"Loved all of it."

Try a Diamond Margarita

Looking for an ultra premium margarita experience? Try our new Diamond Margarita. 

Our Diamond Margarita is made with Maestro Dobel, the one and only Diamond Reposado on the market. This special tequila is created by combining Reposado, Anejo, and Extra-Anejo tequilas together and aging them in matured Hungarian White Oak barrels. It is filtered resulting  in an unusually clear reposado which is exceptionally smooth.

Named after its founder (Dobel is his abbreviated name – Juan Domingo Beckmann Legoretta) the tequila is sourced from single estates and is distilled from 100% blue agave and bottled in Jalisco, Mexico. Each bottle of Dobel^™ Tequila is double-distilled,  Dobel^™ Tequila is recognized for its superior smoothness and iconic packaging which includes a stopper and a modern twist on a vintage apothecary-style bottle, a heavily embossed bottle whose design is inspired by the laboratory sample bottles used by the distillery’s Maestro Tequileros (Master Distillers).

At the Franklin Inn, our Diamond Margarita features Maestro Dobel, Grand Marnier, and organic blue agave nectar.

Tequila of the Month: Cabo Wabo

The April Tequila of the Month is Cabo Wabo.

Cabo Wabo Tequila was born in 1996 on the back roads of Guadalajara by legendary musician and tequila aficionado, Sammy Hagar. After searching for a tequila exceptional enough to serve inside his cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Sammy partnered with a tequila-making family with over 80 years of experience. Today, the agave used to make Cabo Wabo Tequila is grown, cultivated and harvested by this same family.

 
Try one of these Cabo Wabo Drink Features:

Red Rocker: featuring Cabo Wabo Respoado, Amaretto, Cranberry Juice and lime.
Cabo Bomba: featuring Cabo Wabo Blanco and Red Bull

Tequila of the Month: Olmeca Altos

Olmeca Altos Tequila is produced at Destileria Colonial de Jalisco. Operation at the distillery is overseen by Maestro Tequilero Jesús Hernández and his team of workers. As the Master Distiller he is responsible for supervising all production, from the harvest of the plants in the agave fields to the bottling of the tequila. Olmeca Alto uses traditional methods to harvest the Agave plants as well as a 500-year-old Tahona method of crushing the cooked pinas with a volcanic millstone to draw out the sweet juice and syrup from the fibers. This process results in a very smooth and expert Tequila. Enjoy it straight or in a margarita! The Plata and a Reposado that is aged 6-8 months is now available. Come give it a try and let us know what you think of our new tequila.

Mexico Celebrates Love and Friendship

"La amistad es lluvia de flores preciosas"

"Friendship is like a shower of precious flowers" - Aztec Poem

Weekend Feature

• Karen's Mexican Wedding Soup
• Chris's Chocolate Margaritas
• John's Chocolate Kahlua Ice Cream
• Back by Popular Demand: Fajitas for Two

In Mexico it is the Día de San Valentin, or more commonly: El Día del Amor y la Amistad, the "day of love and friendship." People commonly give flowers, candies and balloons to their romantic interest, but it's also a day to show appreciation for friends in Mexico. It's a time for people to show appreciation to the people they care about.  Bring your sweetie or your pal to the Franklin Inn for great food and some good conversation, because according to a Mexican Proverb, "Conversation is food for the soul." 

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Valentine's Fajitas for Two: You enjoyed this special so much New Year's Eve that we promised to bring it back Valentine's Weekend. Bring your sweetie to the Inn for great conversation and a Sizzling 3-Course Fajitas for two Thursday  through Saturday. John and I enjoyed a chicken and shrimp fajita together on our date night yesterday.  Just 26.95 per couple from 11am until the kitchen closes. Here's what's included.

Appetizer (choose one): Black Bean Appetizer, Cheese Cilantro, or Chile Con Queso. And of course, a basket of warm chips and salsa.

Fajitas (choose two): Salmon, Chicken, Sirloin Steak, Chorizo, Spicy Shrimp, or Portobello. Sauteed onions, colorful bell peppers and your selections above served on a sizzling platter with warm flour tortillas, pico de gallo and sour cream. Guacamole, cheese, and lettuce available upon request at no additional charge The Salmon is very limited and will sell out fast.

Dessert: Sopaipillas with vanilla ice cream

Add a bottle of wine or a large mason jar margarita and you have a complete Valentine's Dinner for two with an appetizer and dessert for about 50 bucks.

For more about the origins of Saint Valentine's Day check out www.history.com.

Tequila of the Month: El Mayor Tequila

February's featured tequila is the multi-award winning, El Mayor.  In Spanish it means "the greatest." This 100% Agave Premium Tequila has been produced by the Gonzalez family using traditional methods for 125 years. Master Distiller, Rodolfo Gonzãlez, is the third generation to oversee the family's agave growing estate in the Highlands of Jalisco. Read more about product on the their website: http://elmayor.com/.

Gonzãlez says that El Mayor is the "smoothest ultra premium tequila known to man." What do you think? Come give a try at the Inn today.  Compare it in a flight (including the Blanco, Resposado, and Anejo). Enjoy it in a margarita, of course. Sip slowly on its own as Gonzãlez recommends. Or, check out our drink menu. Chris has come up with three speciality drinks, one for each type of tequila.

When you try El Mayor this month at the Inn, your name will be entered to win a Flight Paddle with three shot glasses (like the one in the photo below).  Ask your server for details.

 

You're Invited to a Toastmasters Open House on Monday

What does this have to do with the Franklin Inn? Not much, except I thought you might benefit from this group too. Open house details are at the end of this post.

Over the last 13 or so years, I have enjoyed our conversations via Facebook, Twitter, this blog, eInnSider email updates and our conversations at the restaurant. This is where I am comfortable.  Public speaking....that's a different story. Speaking in front of more than a small group...not what I want to do! It happens only when I have to or am forced to but I rarely volunteer. I forget what I'm going to say, use the wrong words, think of the things that "I should've said" afterwards, etc. I think this lack of confidence in my oral communication skills hinders my effectiveness in both my professional and volunteer work. Over the years, I've wanted to work on my speaking skills....one day...when I had time....until then I "delegate" public speaking to others who I feel are better at it.  

Well, a member of the Inn Group (the networking group that meets at the Franklin Inn), Michelle Hall, invited me to her newly formed Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters this past Summer.  She is the club's president, so I made the time and went to take a peek. Guess what?  I loved it and I now attend regularly.

I have met wonderful people, learned so much from listening to the other speakers (who are at various levels of speaking ability), and even worked up the nerve to give three speeches of my own. These speeches were met with encouragement and great tips to build upon. Since the meeting is only an hour long, its easy to fit in my schedule too.

There are a lot of "I"s in my writing above because I personally am gaining from my Toastmasters experience. Toastmasters might be a great opportunity for you to also equip yourself with tools to become a better communicator, speaker, and leader. Why don't you come to the Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters OPEN HOUSE meeting and take your own peek? And, then you can come to the Franklin Inn for lunch or a margarita afterwards. Bring a friend (to both places!).

Here are the details:


You are Invited to Experience a Toastmasters Meeting!
Visit the Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters Club
OPEN HOUSE Meeting!

 Monday, February 3rd
12-1pm
Check In at 11:45am

Cranberry Municipal Building, Council Chambers
2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066

RSVP: Click here!
All guests are welcome - it is FREE to attend!

For more information, visit the club website at: www.cranberryhighnoon.toastmastersclubs.org.

A Victory for Your Taste: Beer Dinner at the Inn

Are you a lover of hops and great food?  Then this event is for you. 

We are excited to be hosting our first beer dinner at the Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant on Sunday, February 16th at 4pm.  Seats are only $45 for a delicious homemade four course meal with beer pairings.

A special four course menu is being created in-house that will pair perfectly with selections from Victory Brewing Company. The meal will, of course, have a Mexican influence and use the fresh homemade ingredients that Franklin Inn customers love but there will be an additional inspiration: Victory Beer.  Chris shared our menu proposal with the representative from Victory who then told Chris that the menu he is creating is "spot on."  Here's an advanced peek: The fourth course includes John's homemade ice cream which features a Victory beer. Stay tuned for more information on the meal.  Yesterday I was able to sample (I know....I know...life is tough for me) some of the menu items that Chris is working on perfecting for you. They were delicious. I can't wait for you to taste them too.

Along with the food comes the beer! There will be a free reception beer before we get started and then you'll have the opportunity to taste four more 8 oz. beers from Victory Brewing Company. A representative from Victory, Bob Gera, will be at this dinner to walk us through the food and beer pairings. Bob will also answer your brew questions. You'll even get to take home a free Victory Pint Glass as a souvenir.

This is going to be a fun and tasty event. We hope you can join us and bring a few friends. Seats are selling fast. We were half sold out a week ago. Please reserve your spot asap.

Hint! Hint! This also makes a great Valentine's Day Gift for the hop-lover in your life.

Please share this information with your friends. To learn more and reserve your seats visit: http://www.franklininn.net/specialevents.htm

Happy New Year!

We are closed today so that our staff can spend time with family and friends. Best wishes for a blessed and happy new year. Thank you for being such a pleasure to serve in 2013! Franklin Inn Patrons Rock.