Article reproduced from the June 2000 edition of Pints West

Pub of the year in the Bag

Bristol & District CAMRA are proud to announce that their Pub Of The Year for the year 2000 is the Bag O'Nails in St Georges Road, Hotwells.

This year the judges were particularly impressed with the quality and range of the real ales served, as well as the welcoming atmosphere of this small pub in the centre of the city.

Landlord Gordon Beresford has been a familiar face on Bristol's pub scene for many years. In the past his cheery smile and moustache have stood behind the bar of such establishments as the Highbury Vaults, the Cock o' the North, the Quadrant, the Cambridge Arms and the Lansdown.

Gordon has been behind bars since he was 18, and straight away was hooked on the idea of being a publican. He got his big break when he was made manager of the Highbury Vaults in 1990, the first pub owned by Smiles in the days when founder John Payne was still in charge. It was later at the Cock o' the North that he honed his cooking skills and gained his City & Guilds qualification as a chef.

Today Gordon is his own man in his own pub. He has been at the Bag O'Nails since January 1997. The pub was previously known as the American Eagle, but not especially known for exceptional beers. After two years boarded up the pub was rescued, brought back to life, and is now thriving as a mecca for lovers of fine beers.

The Bag is a traditional, basic, one-room pub still retaining its old gas lighting, and has glass port holes in the bare wooden floor affording a glimpse down into the cellar below.

Real ales available always include Draught Bass and Fuller's London Pride together with three or four guest beers from small and micro breweries. Draught Leffe (a tasty Belgian brew) and a wide selection of bottled beers (many bottle-conditioned) are also on sale for those looking for something different. The cask ales are always very well presented and are what make the pub stand out.

The Bag O'Nails isn't just about real ale though. In addition to Gordon's excellent home-made soups available weekday lunchtimes there are other attractions such as his near legendary Port & Stilton evenings every second and fourth Wednesday of the month - bring your own crackers though!

Gordon is ably assisted in the running of the pub by fellow member of the team, Geoff Syce. Geoff effectively takes over the management of the pub from Friday to Sunday and is often seen working there at other times too.

Gordon is in his element at the Bag: "I thoroughly enjoy it here - I love it - I love this place!" he enthuses, and his enthusiasm can be infectious. It's so nice to be welcomed into a pub by someone who really loves their job. And when informed of the award, he said that such recognition was probably his life's ambition.

The Bag O'Nails may not have all the comforts of large country pubs with extensive food menus, dining areas, gardens or family rooms, but what it lacks in facilities it certainly makes up for in atmosphere, and ale!

The pub is in very good hands with Gordon and Geoff. Long may it remain so.

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