Bottling Works
Not a whole heck of a lot is left of the old Hoster Brewery in Columbus, Ohio. The most notable surviving and most spectacular buildings in all of the Brewery District is the Worley Building, the former Hoster horse stable. Only a few select others have been renovated. The rest of the survivors are like the building below.
The history on the once powerful and important district of the German working-class, old south end is almost nonexistent. I suspect this structure was built in 1876 and functioned as the old bottling works from clues taken from a number of sources. The old German brewers in Columbus, like Louis Hoster, obviously took pride in their factory facilities as they do show a certain flair in their architecture. The only modern public use for the bottling works happens every October when she opens her doors as a haunted house.
Horses Got it Pretty Good
In Columbus’ Brewery District there are a number of old brewery buildings in various stages of decay and restoration that attest to the ever fading memory of the old German Village’s mouth watering relationship with beer. Some are simple brick utility buildings while others display a degree of flair and pride in their architecture. It’s pretty obvious that beer in Columbus used to be a luxury not taken lightly.
Of all those left standing there is one building at the very heart of the district that stands as its crown jewel. The Worly Building is elegant and somewhat misplaced with its colorful brick, arched windows and round corner towers that poignantly stake its territory. Even though there is very little historical information on the Brewery District I have managed to pair the remaining buildings with ownership and general purpose. And to my surprise the chic Worly Building was home to the Hoster Brewery’s horses.
I love horses. And I don’t doubt their invaluable importance to the distribution of Hoster’s “famous” malt to all the thirsty watering holes throughout the city and to the overall success of the company. But why would Louis Hoster bed down his 4 legged employees in the palace of the district essentially crowning them the face of his brewery? The concept isn’t new to us. I mean who doesn’t love the Budweiser Clydesdales. They’re way better spokesmen than the annoying croaking frogs or the sarcastic spin-off lizards. And I suppose their dependable disposition and graceful style are as good a metaphor for quality beer than anything King Gambrinus has to offer. In the beer business one thing seems to be clear: Horses rule.
The Nikon D90 at Hoster's
Well I got my new Nikon D90 last weekend and here’s one of my first shots. I’m pretty juiced with the results. This thing’s so easy to use I’m now convinced that Ashton Kutcher could actually operate it. The marketing team at Nikon must be on to something. The abandoned brewery buildings down the street from my house in Columbus, Ohio make a great shooting location. This is one of the more massive buildings left behind from the Hoster Brewing Company. It serves as a haunted house during Halloween every year and, who knows, maybe the rest of the year as well.
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