Short’s Brewing has renamed Hangin Frank to ControversiAle. The controversy they speak of is the original label for Hangin Frank. Frank is Frank Fochtman, former Grill Cafe owner, now known as City Park Grill. It is rumored that he hung himself in the basement and now haunts the establishment. City Park Grill manager Jason Septic says, ”I know many people who’ve just had a weird sensation or feeling that there’s someone else down there, my personal feeling is that he’d be here, just watching over the place”.
The new ControversiAle label states: A state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the latin controverisa, as a composite of controversus – “turned in an opposite direction,” from contra – “against” – and ventrere – to turn, or versus (see verse), hence, “to turn against.” Perennial areas of controversy include history, religion, philosophy, politics, and beer labels.
ControversiAle is an American IPA that could also be known as a Strong Pale Ale because it has the hops of an IPA but drinks like a Pale Ale. Brewed with lots of toasted malts and Simcoe hops, it gives the flavors of sourdough bread and grapefruit.