Gordon Biersch Tapping Party

[staronstage]

It has completely slipped my mind to post this until today, sorry. Gordon Biersch in Palo Alto CA is having their tapping party for their Fest Bier. They are celebrating with $2 pints, and free food!

Jinja and I attend last year, and had a blast. We are hoping this year is just as fun. I'll take some pictures, and post them later (if I manage to sit my Fest Bier down for long enough!).

[Herb Ninja]

I remember watching somebody open a bottle of Gordon Biersch, not sure what style, proceeded to have two sips, then proceeded to throw the beer out and say "ick thats the worst beer ive ever tasted." I think I had a bottle of their lager once and I was disappointed. Personally if it says Gordon Biersch on it, I don't buy it. But what do I know, maybe its just that all of their stuff skunks before it gets out here. Peace, HN-

[steveh]

Hmm. Their Märzen has always been one of my favorite beers and has never disappointed. Their Maibock has historically been good too. Some day I'll get to try their Okto.

They're all over the freaking country - why not Chicago?! Huh GB? Huh?

S.

[staronstage]

Amen Steve. The Marzen is one of my staple beers. I'm also a really big fan of their Dunkles, which unfortunately they don't bottle. Herb Ninja, I urge you to try again with GB. And by the way, nearly all of their beers are lagers.

Jinja and I had a great time. I'll try and post the pictures we took later today.

Quick Personal Run Down of Gordon Biersch's Brews

Bottles:
Marzen: Well balanced, and tastes great
Blonde: Pretty basic blonde, good for hot days
Pilsner: Everyone knows what I think of Pilsners :)
Golden Export: I don't mind this one, but I don't love it either
GB Light: This doesn't taste too bad, but sheeesh a light beer?

On Tap Only:
Dunkles: Excellent, has that "peanut shell" taste that I love

Seasonals:
Maibok: Enjoy it very much
Fest Bier: Extremely drinkable, I could drink this all night
Hefeweizen: Pretty darn good - keep that lemon away!
Winterbock: Mmmmm ... bock

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Ditto Staronstage. I've enjoyed all their bocks and the Marzen. They are the only brewery that does lagers ( I believe ) and I am glad they do. As for the atmosphere, well ...... but I've definitely had some good times with their winterbock and maibock. As for the blonde, when it first came out it was delicious but I think their expansion has diluted it a bit.

[MeridianFC]

I haven't had their beer in a bottle in ages, but their brewpub beer is fine.

[steveh]

Originally posted by L.H.H.H.Brown
They are the only brewery that does lagers ( I believe )

I think that's better stated that they are one of the few brew-pubs that focuses on lagers. Many BPs and Micros dabble in them, but usually stick to Ales for their easier process and faster turn-around (fermenter-to-ageing-to-tap) time.

In a micro-brewery, Capital is on the same par with lagers as GB.

S.

Star - I guess I don't know what you think of Pils, does this mean you can't be coaxed to join us Saturday?

Hmm, why does GB have a Blonde and a "Golden" Export? Sort of like having a Helles and an Export - IMO.

[fretlessman71]

What in the world is the style "Export"? Not very descriptive... Fort Collins Brewery is supposed to have one on tap, but alas, their tasting room is only open Thurs./Fri./Sat. now.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
What in the world is the style "Export"?

It's basically the Northern German version of Southern Germany's Helles. Think Beck's, DAB, St. Pauli girl. Export (http://www.bjcp.org/styles04/Category1.html) - 1E.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Thanks steveh! Hey... for my personal tasting edjumacashun, do you think it would be more beneficial to try several different offerings of the same style in a row (i.e., nothing but porters for a week or so) to learn more about the style, or would you recommend a different tack?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
do you think it would be more beneficial to try several different offerings of the same style in a row (i.e., nothing but porters for a week or so) to learn more about the style, or would you recommend a different tack?

The only way it might hurt is burn-out -- I'm close to that with Oktos - eek!

If you (or anyone) doesn't have Jackson's Ultimate Beer, I highly reccommend it as a good companion when trying different styles. It gives a short description and history of a style, then some nice short descriptions of a few different brands in the style. Insightful. I'm going to use it at the Parallel.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
I haven't had their beer in a bottle in ages, but their brewpub beer is fine.

Agreed. I have visited GB brewpubs from San Fran to Oahu. We have one here in DC. They make consistantly good beer.
I have not had any bottled.

In our area, Capitol City makes some good lagers and so does Old Dominion.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Thanks steveh! Hey... for my personal tasting edjumacashun, do you think it would be more beneficial to try several different offerings of the same style in a row (i.e., nothing but porters for a week or so) to learn more about the style, or would you recommend a different tack?

Hmmmm........ I'm not sure I could do that. Variety is the spice of life. But then again, this summer I drank an awful lot of the same beer. Gumballhead. (Fret, I'm sending one soon).

It probably would be a good way to see the inside and outsides of whatever style you're drinking but the thought of drinking only porters for a week is not appealing to me at all. Milds, IPA, APA, ESB maybe

[staronstage]

Originally posted by steveh

Star - I guess I don't know what you think of Pils, does this mean you can't be coaxed to join us Saturday?


I'll be there with bells on. Or pajamas, one of the two.

I'm looking forward to hearing informed opinions on the PU. I am little (meaning a lot) closed minded when it comes to Pilsners in general. But I'm willing to learn.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
The only way it might hurt is burn-out -- I'm close to that with Oktos - eek!

.

Say it aint so! I'm wholeheartedly looking forward to a few local Oktoberfests and German Beer Night. After that I'll maybe have had my fill of draught Spaten and Paulaner.

In years past, German Beer Night, an invitation only event thrown by the German Airforce in a huge hanger out at Dulles Airport for the local German Community we had good choices of German beer that was flown in fresh for the event. Last several years they have had Spaten, Paulaner and sometimes another generic lager such as Bitburger or Warsteiner. But it is a great time.

Gone too are the special Oktoberfest beers that used to be flown in via "military channels" for the old Fest that was held on base at Vint Hill. When that base was closed the festival was moved to Ft. Belvoir and the 2 beers served are now Spaten Okt. and that other German favorite Coors Light. But I'm still hoping to go to both. Got my tix for GBN already.

[Budman]

Quote:Hmm, why does GB have a Blonde and a "Golden" Export? Sort of like having a Helles and an Export - IMO.


THe Blonde is a bock

[steveh]

Originally posted by Budman
THe Blonde is a bock

Star should be careful with what he calls a "pretty basic blonde!" 7% ABV is far from "basic." :eek:

S.

[staronstage]

I hear you Steve, that does seem high. But the 7% is really hidden in the taste.

[steveh]

Originally posted by staronstage
But the 7% is really hidden in the taste.

Those are the worst! Capital's Maibock and especially their Blonde Doppelbock are like that - "Oh, this is fine - there's uh, there'sh no way ish gon' mesh me h'up!"

S.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by staronstage
I hear you Steve, that does seem high. But the 7% is really hidden in the taste.



Wait til you try my Holiday Scotch Ale this year. 8.5-9% ABV and you'd never know it! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!


Yes, I am evil!

[staronstage]

YOU don't cut me offfff ... I cut myshelf off! Sho there. :)

[staronstage]

Here's the write up I'm going to put on my beer blog type site (it isn't really ready for primetime yet, but the address is http://joeyspub.homestead.com)

Gordon Biersch Fest Bier Tapping Party

Jinja, my friend Rhamesis and I attend the Gordon Biersch Fest Bier tapping party last night (9/21/04). Jinja and I rode our bikes down to Palo Alto, by way of the Caltrain, and arrived at 7:30. There was a nice sized crowd, with a few of the regulars that we have come to recognize. Including our personal favorite, the “Poser Lady”. She doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not; she isn’t that kind of poser. She is a living & breathing mannequin style poser. With her hand just ever so on her hip and her head cocked to one side, she seemed to be enjoying the night. And so did we.

Similar to the same event last year, they had a large wooden cask on the bar and were pouring 16oz of Fest Bier for $2.00. Around the corner they had free apps in the form of Kielbasa (or KIEL-BASA as Heather Graham might say), pretzels, and mustard that was guaranteed to clear your sinuses. This is the one night where you can leave without spending $70.00 on dinner for two (including a couple of pints.)

Jinja and I found two seats underneath the much envied mug lockers, and proceeded to drink our first of three pints. According to the official website the Fest Bier is described as a full bodied, rich, moderately hopped, bronze lager. I would describe it as a highly drinkable, tasty mug of goodness. But that’s just my highly technical expertise talking. :) We spent the next two hours drinking, eating, and talking about all manner of things. What a great way to spend an evening! I can only imagine how good it would be to do the same thing on an extended basis in Munich at the official Oktoberfest party.

I would highly suggest making the trip down (or up) to Gordon Biersch sometime soon for a taste of this seasonal beverage. Look for the location nearest you here: http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/index.html

(pictures coming soon)

[Herb Ninja]

Originally posted by staronstage
And by the way, nearly all of their beers are lagers.

:p I meant to say Pilsner, whoops. Peace, HN-

[Herb Ninja]

@%^R&@#^!@%#@$@*%$!)!@* #^(@&#%

I just wrote a big long reply and then hit delete a couple times when I miss-spelled something and my internet explorer decided it would back me up two web-pages, damnit. :(

I'm not going to re-write my whole reply as i'm now in a very frustrated mood, but I will say that I decided to try the blonde bock and I was (essentially) pleasantly surprised. It did hide the 7%abv very well, and all in all wasn't a bad brew.

Damn I spent 15 minutes writing that reply too.....

:\ Peace, HN-

[staronstage]

Aaarg, I hate when that happens!

That's why I have started to write long posts in MS Word. Then there is no chance of an explorer error ruining my day.

[Beaver]

Or you can go with Mozilla or Firefox to avoid that IE funness.

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Glad to see my trust in the blonde bock was not ill-founded. Just jealous that I was not able to partake. I don't think the Pasadena G.B. would have such an event.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Herb Ninja
@%^R&@#^!@%#@$@*%$!)!@* #^(@&#%

I just wrote a big long reply and then hit delete a couple times when I miss-spelled something and my internet explorer decided it would back me up two web-pages, damnit. :(

I'm not going to re-write my whole reply as i'm now in a very frustrated mood, but I will say that I decided to try the blonde bock and I was (essentially) pleasantly surprised. It did hide the 7%abv very well, and all in all wasn't a bad brew.

Damn I spent 15 minutes writing that reply too.....

:\ Peace, HN- One word: NETSCAPE.

[chazwicke]

I use netscape too. But i like the idea of writing it in Word for the spell check.