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CLYDE — A local bar, under new ownership since April, has slowly been transitioning to a pub with a focus on craft beers. Alley Taproom, formerly Agitator Alley, is now owned by Jerry Girdner II and his father, Jerry Girdner.The younger Girdner has become a self-taught expert on craft beer.
“I got into the different kinds of domestics, and then I got into import beer,” he said. “From there I got into craft beer.”
Girdner is eager to share his knowledge with his staff and his customers. He recently sent his staff to Fatheads Brewery in Cleveland to learn about brewing, and he hosts a beer club at the Taproom.
The club, which has almost 100 members, meets every first Monday of the month. Girdner offers samples of different craft beers to try, and talks about the different styles available and the best way to enjoy them, including pairing them with complimenting food.
The club has attracted longtime beer drinkers looking for something new to try, and those that wouldn’t normally visit bars, like Jill McCullough, who said she was persuaded to join the club by Girdner’s enthusiasm and knowledge about craft beer.
“Although I had known about the Taproom and its change of focus to craft beer for quite a while, it was a big step for me to get there,” McCullough said. “I love it that Jerry is so intensely excited about his beer. He researched and made the food for the last beer club, including lobster bisque, that was recommended as good with beer.”
Alley Taproom bartender Tawny Atzinger said the bar has more than 100 bottled craft beers and ten different taps for draft. On club night, members are given small samples of different kinds.
“I love the fact I can go in and get a flight of beers — four small glasses set into a wooden paddle — and taste some of the different varieties on tap,” McCullough said. “I can’t believe how much I’m learning.”
Beer Club members are asked to rate the different beer they try, with a goal of 50 different kinds.
“Each new beer I taste goes in my log. I'm supposed to write its name, the brewery, the style and how well I liked it,” McCullough said.
Once they have tried and rated 50 different beers, members receive a T-shirt that says, “Beer Club — The Alley Speakeasy.”
It costs $20 to join the beer club, and members receive a 64-ounce growler. The growler can be brought back to the bar and filled with any draft beer, with prices ranging from $7 to $22.
“You can take it home to drink it, or cook with it. And we have deals for members now and then,” Atzinger said. “For Christmas, we had Omme Gang gift sets for $26.50 for club members.”
Girdner is in the process of expanding the bar and hopes to have a kitchen open sometime this winter.
“We’ll be doing pairings, featuring a beer with a certain dish, like Saison du Buff. It’s a rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley beer. You can marinate chicken in it and serve it with the beer,” Atzinger said.
Girdner said he’s excited about sharing his love of craft beer in Clyde, which has its own barroom history.
“I love craft beer. People get tired of the status quo. If you are passionate about something, you can get people into it,” he said. “Beer is a big part of Clyde history. Clyde had a lot of speakeasies. Some of my older customers said Al Capone used to come here. It was like a little Chicago here in Clyde.”
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