A Pint at my Local
This is an article that I originally submitted to CAMRA in the Spring of 2007 for possible inclusion in their Beer newsletter. Sadly, it didn’t make
the cut, perhaps because CAMRA is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of cask ales – and The Old Bag of Nails does not feature cask
ales. Or perhaps they thought the article was just plain shite !
In any event, we at Roberts Manor are rather proud of our support of The Old Bag of Nails, so once again, the article is included here for your
perusal. A couple of things have been changed to suit the style of Dunkles & Jaffa Cakes, but otherwise, this is the article in its entirety. Cheers
!
Christian Moorma sleeps well at night. The Manager of the Old Bag of Nails pub in Worthington, Ohio, for the past 10 years has recently, finally,
been able to dispose of a certain "lite" non-descript lager from his draught selection. It was the typical bland lager that gave him many sleepless
nights; but then events have always turned out well for the Old Bag.
It all began on April 19th, 1996 – funnily enough, Lady Roberts and I heralded its birth. We were sitting right across the road at Scottie MacBean’
s Coffeehouse and putting my java down, I crossed Worthington High Street to see what the commotion was all about. I reported to the missus
that a pub had actually opened in Worthington, an unheard of thing ! It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and the Old Bag became our
recognized "local" and remains so to this day.
The Old Bag of Nails was the brainchild of local entrepreneur Mike Purdum, who felt it was high time for the small, picture-perfect Ohio town to
have its own "neighbourhood" pub; a pub with a cozy atmosphere. He bought part of a terraced building, which belonged to Zettler’s Hardware
Store. Apparently, the Old Bag now stands in the Housewares Department. The pub is long and narrow, featuring exposed brick walls with a
stylish hammered copper cover on the bar.
Two photos adorn the walls, one is of the Bag of Nails pub in St.George’s Road, Bristol, the other being the Bag of Nails pub on the corner of
Buckingham Palace Road and Lower Grovesnor Place in London (or Londinium, in ye olde Roman times). In the rear behind a glass window
stands a large display of vintage beer cans. On a recent visit, I noticed a can of Royal Dutch lager, which was our lager -- when we were in a
lager mood -- of choice when we resided in London N19.
The main problem then is the same as now: a lack of space, but it most certainly adds to the coziness of the pub. In the beginning the menu was
considerably more fundamental, but its premier dish, indeed the dish it remains famous for, is its half-a-pound plate of cod and chips. Give it a
good lashing of vinegar and we’re back in London !
The Old Bag of Nails proved to be so popular that Mike opened a second pub, then a third, then a fourth. There are now currently seven Old
Bags of Nails situated around Worthington and nearby Columbus. Each has its own character but true to form, at least to this reviewer, the
original remains the best.
What especially sets the original Worthington Old Bag apart from its siblings is its beer selection. Christian, with his highly enthusiastic Assistant
Manager, Brad White, are devoted to American micro-breweries. During its embryonic days the Old Bag was more known for its scotch whiskies,
but Christian believed there was a calling for micro-brews and that they could be the star attraction in the pub. This was a man clearly equipped
with a vision because his hunch proved to be totally spot-on. With this vision, Christian and Brad cheerfully exercise autonomy over the beers
that come into the pub.
Yes some staples have to be on tap as it brings in corporate brewery cash; thus, you will find Guinness, via nitro-keg, and Bass, Harp and Miller
Lite on tap, but that’s where it stops. The remaining 10 taps are devoted to micros and where room can be found, new taps will be added.
And while the beers are brought to the tap handles via CO2 (cask ale can be found elsewhere in Columbus), the important point is the variety of
choice for the micro-brew fans who pack into the Old Bag. In 1996, the initial brews had a distinctive British flavour; would you believe draught
Double Diamond was popular with Old Bag patrons during the formative years of the pub ?
At the beginning even Watney’s Red Barrel was on tap – in this instance, a red-amber coloured beer brewed under contract by the Canadian
Brewery, Sleeman – which didn’t last long in these thar parts, thank goodness !
A quick word about the rise & fall of Watney’s Red Barrel for younger readers – Watney’s Red Barrel was the first massively produced nitro-keg
ale in the UK – Appearing in the 1960’s, were it not for the intervention of CAMRA, Red Barrel would signaled the death of cask ales. In the end,
the slick marketing and appalling taste worked against the “beer” and it literally disappeared from sight, with the owners of Watney giving up all
brewing practices; instead, entering the soft-drinks market and running night-clubs !
Other early veterans at The Old Bag included Fuller’s ESB, Tetley’s, Old Speckled Hen and Caffreys; however, these days, you’re looking at
such American regional diversities as Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Burning River Pale Ale and their Blackout Stout (9% ABV), named after
the 2003 "blackout" that left the northeastern United States in complete darkness; a Samuel Adams "seasonal", which is currently their White Ale,
spiced with coriander, lemon peel and dried plums ; Red Seal Ale and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (9% ABV), both from North Coast
Brewing Company in California; Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA, yet another 9% ABV offering from Delaware; Alpha King Pale Ale from the Three
Floyds Brewery in Indiana, which is so heavily hopped it easily passes for an IPA; Magic Hat No.9, loosely described as an apricot fruit beer from
Vermont, and an ever changing draught beer menu, not to mention an extensive bottled beer list with a particular emphasis on beers from Rogue
Brewery in Oregon and Stone Brewery, of Arrogant Bastard Ale fame, in California.
Christian and Brad pride themselves on providing craft beers that consumers won’t necessarily find elsewhere and are more than happy to
embrace ideas and suggestions from their punters, who bring in bottles for the management team to try. One customer, with a gluten allergen,
came in with a bottle of a gluten-free cider, which the Old Bag now stocks. Brad also peruses Beer Advocate magazine to get ideas for seasonals.
No discussion of the Old Bag would be complete without the barmaids and barmen who provide the best service this side of the Atlantic. Made up
of a considerable workforce, who are all seasoned veterans at the Old Bag, this fine troupe led by Leslie Seymour and Italian born Emanuela
Thompson are critical to the success of the pub. Regulars are known on a first name basis, while strangers are treated like family, all hypnotized
by Leslie’s raucous and infectious laughter.
Like most bars and pubs in the area, a passing of a no-smoking law in 2005 sounded like a call to arms at the Old Bag, but I’m pleased to say
that it didn’t affect trade one iota. The smoking ban has, in fact, led to a much more family atmosphere with an increase of ale buffs who enjoy a
good micro-brew on their way home from work. Just like the demise of the unnamed lite lager, the Old Bag of Nails has demonstrated that change
is good. And with plans to further diversify their food menu and add two to four beer taps, the future looks rosey for pub and punters alike.
This is an article that I originally submitted to CAMRA in the Spring of 2007 for possible inclusion in their Beer newsletter. Sadly, it didn’t make
the cut, perhaps because CAMRA is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of cask ales – and The Old Bag of Nails does not feature cask
ales. Or perhaps they thought the article was just plain shite !
In any event, we at Roberts Manor are rather proud of our support of The Old Bag of Nails, so once again, the article is included here for your
perusal. A couple of things have been changed to suit the style of Dunkles & Jaffa Cakes, but otherwise, this is the article in its entirety. Cheers
!
Christian Moorma sleeps well at night. The Manager of the Old Bag of Nails pub in Worthington, Ohio, for the past 10 years has recently, finally,
been able to dispose of a certain "lite" non-descript lager from his draught selection. It was the typical bland lager that gave him many sleepless
nights; but then events have always turned out well for the Old Bag.
It all began on April 19th, 1996 – funnily enough, Lady Roberts and I heralded its birth. We were sitting right across the road at Scottie MacBean’
s Coffeehouse and putting my java down, I crossed Worthington High Street to see what the commotion was all about. I reported to the missus
that a pub had actually opened in Worthington, an unheard of thing ! It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and the Old Bag became our
recognized "local" and remains so to this day.
The Old Bag of Nails was the brainchild of local entrepreneur Mike Purdum, who felt it was high time for the small, picture-perfect Ohio town to
have its own "neighbourhood" pub; a pub with a cozy atmosphere. He bought part of a terraced building, which belonged to Zettler’s Hardware
Store. Apparently, the Old Bag now stands in the Housewares Department. The pub is long and narrow, featuring exposed brick walls with a
stylish hammered copper cover on the bar.
Two photos adorn the walls, one is of the Bag of Nails pub in St.George’s Road, Bristol, the other being the Bag of Nails pub on the corner of
Buckingham Palace Road and Lower Grovesnor Place in London (or Londinium, in ye olde Roman times). In the rear behind a glass window
stands a large display of vintage beer cans. On a recent visit, I noticed a can of Royal Dutch lager, which was our lager -- when we were in a
lager mood -- of choice when we resided in London N19.
The main problem then is the same as now: a lack of space, but it most certainly adds to the coziness of the pub. In the beginning the menu was
considerably more fundamental, but its premier dish, indeed the dish it remains famous for, is its half-a-pound plate of cod and chips. Give it a
good lashing of vinegar and we’re back in London !
The Old Bag of Nails proved to be so popular that Mike opened a second pub, then a third, then a fourth. There are now currently seven Old
Bags of Nails situated around Worthington and nearby Columbus. Each has its own character but true to form, at least to this reviewer, the
original remains the best.
What especially sets the original Worthington Old Bag apart from its siblings is its beer selection. Christian, with his highly enthusiastic Assistant
Manager, Brad White, are devoted to American micro-breweries. During its embryonic days the Old Bag was more known for its scotch whiskies,
but Christian believed there was a calling for micro-brews and that they could be the star attraction in the pub. This was a man clearly equipped
with a vision because his hunch proved to be totally spot-on. With this vision, Christian and Brad cheerfully exercise autonomy over the beers
that come into the pub.
Yes some staples have to be on tap as it brings in corporate brewery cash; thus, you will find Guinness, via nitro-keg, and Bass, Harp and Miller
Lite on tap, but that’s where it stops. The remaining 10 taps are devoted to micros and where room can be found, new taps will be added.
And while the beers are brought to the tap handles via CO2 (cask ale can be found elsewhere in Columbus), the important point is the variety of
choice for the micro-brew fans who pack into the Old Bag. In 1996, the initial brews had a distinctive British flavour; would you believe draught
Double Diamond was popular with Old Bag patrons during the formative years of the pub ?
At the beginning even Watney’s Red Barrel was on tap – in this instance, a red-amber coloured beer brewed under contract by the Canadian
Brewery, Sleeman – which didn’t last long in these thar parts, thank goodness !
A quick word about the rise & fall of Watney’s Red Barrel for younger readers – Watney’s Red Barrel was the first massively produced nitro-keg
ale in the UK – Appearing in the 1960’s, were it not for the intervention of CAMRA, Red Barrel would signaled the death of cask ales. In the end,
the slick marketing and appalling taste worked against the “beer” and it literally disappeared from sight, with the owners of Watney giving up all
brewing practices; instead, entering the soft-drinks market and running night-clubs !
Other early veterans at The Old Bag included Fuller’s ESB, Tetley’s, Old Speckled Hen and Caffreys; however, these days, you’re looking at
such American regional diversities as Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Burning River Pale Ale and their Blackout Stout (9% ABV), named after
the 2003 "blackout" that left the northeastern United States in complete darkness; a Samuel Adams "seasonal", which is currently their White Ale,
spiced with coriander, lemon peel and dried plums ; Red Seal Ale and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (9% ABV), both from North Coast
Brewing Company in California; Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA, yet another 9% ABV offering from Delaware; Alpha King Pale Ale from the Three
Floyds Brewery in Indiana, which is so heavily hopped it easily passes for an IPA; Magic Hat No.9, loosely described as an apricot fruit beer from
Vermont, and an ever changing draught beer menu, not to mention an extensive bottled beer list with a particular emphasis on beers from Rogue
Brewery in Oregon and Stone Brewery, of Arrogant Bastard Ale fame, in California.
Christian and Brad pride themselves on providing craft beers that consumers won’t necessarily find elsewhere and are more than happy to
embrace ideas and suggestions from their punters, who bring in bottles for the management team to try. One customer, with a gluten allergen,
came in with a bottle of a gluten-free cider, which the Old Bag now stocks. Brad also peruses Beer Advocate magazine to get ideas for seasonals.
No discussion of the Old Bag would be complete without the barmaids and barmen who provide the best service this side of the Atlantic. Made up
of a considerable workforce, who are all seasoned veterans at the Old Bag, this fine troupe led by Leslie Seymour and Italian born Emanuela
Thompson are critical to the success of the pub. Regulars are known on a first name basis, while strangers are treated like family, all hypnotized
by Leslie’s raucous and infectious laughter.
Like most bars and pubs in the area, a passing of a no-smoking law in 2005 sounded like a call to arms at the Old Bag, but I’m pleased to say
that it didn’t affect trade one iota. The smoking ban has, in fact, led to a much more family atmosphere with an increase of ale buffs who enjoy a
good micro-brew on their way home from work. Just like the demise of the unnamed lite lager, the Old Bag of Nails has demonstrated that change
is good. And with plans to further diversify their food menu and add two to four beer taps, the future looks rosey for pub and punters alike.
| IAN'S OLD BAG OF NAILS ARTICLE |
| DUNKLES & JAFFA CAKES |
| Return to Ian's Page |
| BRAD, LESLIE, EMANUELA |
