Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant

Bierguy5

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +16.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I have never had a strong opinion about Gordon Biersch. I thought their beers were decent, but not exceptional. My opinion has changed somewhat after visiting this location. This one is located right across from the International Spy Museum. The inside has a nice display of the brew kettles and tanks. Large columns, keeping the theme of D.C. architecture are inside, and the entire place is very open with large ceilings. The beers we had were very fresh, and pretty solid. Cheers for offering samples of everything. Along with thier usual, they had seasonals which included a Kolsch (which was served in a larger version of a kolsch glass), and a Czech Lager. Our server was very friendly, fast, and knowledgeable about the beers she was serving. Our food was very good, and reasonably priced, particularly considering the area. I look forward to visiting more GB locations.

07-22-2006 22:17:34 | More by Bierguy5

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Been here a few times now. It's a pretty large restaurant with a bar area to the right when you walk in.

Atmosphere is pretty good; they get a lot of Capitals and Wizards fans before and after games as it is only a block from the Verizon Center, and there is no dress code, so it is pretty laid back and casual.

Service has always been good and their food is probably the best thing about the place. They offer entrees ranging in price from $12-40, and have things ranging from burgers and sandwiches to Mexican food, seafood, and steaks.

Most importantly, onto the beer. They normally have 6 beers on tap, all brewed on location. Every time I go it seems that they have a pilsener, a marzen, a schwarzbier, a hefeweizen, and 2 others. While none of their beers are outstanding, they are all pretty solid, and I found the marzen and schwarzbier both pretty good.

Overall I would say it is a good restaurant with above average food. The beer is solid and the spices and location are great; I'd definitely go back.

10-24-2011 19:14:15 | More by mdfb79

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.59/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

A- It's in a pretty cool building near a lot of the action, so it's a pretty good place to grab a beer and watch people. They also have a couple televisions. Relatively large with lots of natural light at the bar.
Q- Beer was served cold, but not too cold, and was generally good.
Ser- The service is decent, but has never struck me as above average. A little bit slow, but not egregiously so.
Sel- It's pretty cool to see Americans brew traditional German styles. That being said, they only have about 5 or 6 taps. Good beer, but not much to choose from.
It's a bit spendy all things considered, but given it's D.C., it was only a little offputting.

06-17-2011 13:44:30 | More by jsprain1

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3/5  rDev -18.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2 | $$$

This is situated downtown - quite a busy place with either tourists (through the week) or employees surrounded by the building (during the week). This place is usually quiet over the weekends. Very large, contemporary, and industrious building. This used to be a bank so this adds to the character/ambience. Staff are ok and a bit standoffish. Food is too "bistro/contemporary" for me, so I don't usually order here except for beers. GB serves up the usual suspects in regard to beer that's commonly found everywhere. The dunkel and marzen are quite good. I am partial to their Oktoberfest only if I happen to be at the brewpub. Like DuClaw, this place is a bit gimmicky. Just IMO.

02-24-2011 18:22:10 | More by CuriousMonk

brewman63

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$

Stopped in on our way walking back to our hotel from the ChopHouse Brewery last May. had I known we were stopping here I would have left room for the garlic fries - an absolute must for any first-time GB patron. I was a little disappointed in their beer selection. They only had a golden, hefeweizen, Marzen and a seasonal (which escapes me right now) on tap. The hefeweizen was good but not great. The restaurant looks interesting - set in an old bank building. Stop in if you're in the neighborhood.

06-09-2010 15:36:51 | More by brewman63

jfmorey

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

In a country where the majority of adults DO NOT LIKE BEER based upon the popularity of tasteless mass-produced swill; GB can be given praise for carving out a niche for itself serving a reliably better than average selection of real beer in comfortable, well-designed establishments.

However this is not a place to seek anything exceptional or unusual.

The service is always prompt and friendly.

The food is quite good and reasonably priced, with a both solid mainstays and seasonal specials.

A native of DC, I have been to their downtown location many times over the years for lunch without disappointment.

05-18-2010 20:38:05 | More by jfmorey

beer2day

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Stopped in on a frigid Sunday afternoon. Place was surprisingly packed, considering the time of day and weather. Across the block from the Spy Museum and very close to the Verizon Center.

Open, airy feel to the place. High ceilings and very bright inside. Steel brewing tanks very much on display inside the brewery section - always like that in a pub. Very upscale DC feel.

5 beers on tap. Nothing outstanding but all very solid performers. Winter Bock was very nice.

The servers really seem to hustle here. The place was packed and no one seemed to want or wait for anything. My glass stayed full and our order came out promplty.

Standard beer offerings for GB, but the Winter Bock was a nice surprise.

Food is sold with a varied menu, something for just about everyone from vegetarian to steak. Not as good as the Chophouse around the corner, but worth a stop. You can always just get garlic fries, a staple at any GB!

01-16-2010 02:48:11 | More by beer2day

ryannaman

California

3.58/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$$

Ok, I decided to take my parents to lunch after a day of walking around the capitol. I decided to see if the beer and the food ad Gordon Biersch was anything to rave about... and to my dissapointment it is not even close to being good. The only bright spot of the experience was the server. I am sorry I forget her name and she probably doesn't work there since it is a couple years later. But she was so on point explaining the beers and offered her expertise on some food pairings WOW!!

Have to say the place was pretty interestingly set up and the service was amazing. Food and Beer... was just OK.

12-07-2009 00:43:01 | More by ryannaman

hmarebel02

Maryland

2.6/5  rDev -29.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$$

Gordon Biersche is pretty standard anywhere you go. This brewery is situated all over the country, so the there really isn't much variety between the different bars. They are good however at creating solid beers. I've never tasted any funk here, but I've never been overly impressed either. They do make a good marzen. I believe all of the styles that they offer are lagers.

This particular place in Chinatown is always packed. The service is kind of sub-standard, but this mostly because its always so busy. Its a common place to meet up with DC area colleagues and office parties. Food is pretty standard. Its pricey.

04-20-2009 23:24:28 | More by hmarebel02

Hibernator

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

After attempting to keep somewhat warm on top of a super windy Double Decker bus, we decided it was time to take a break from the sightseeing of DC and grab some lunch. We got off the touristy bus around the Ford Theater and stumbled upon Gordon Biersch. I'm glad we decided to go here because it was a toss up between GB and the Hard Café, which was also very close. Nevertheless, this place was bustling with the lunchtime rush and we had about a fifteen-minute wait, but that was no problem as it was the perfect excuse to belly up to the bar and order a beer. The bar and restaurant was very busy and I noticed the high ceilings are decorated with huge Gordon Biersch flags.

I started off with their Schwarzbier and eventually tried their Altbier as well. The selection was a tad limited and I usually expect a more from a brewpub. I counted about 5 or 6 beers with selections like Marzen, Hefeweizen, Golden Export and an Amber Ale, which was the Brewer's Special. You have the option to order a sampler so you can try all of them.

The menu is pretty diverse and everything I had was really solid. I started off with a cup of the Crab, Shrimp and Corn bisque and went with the meatloaf sandwich for my main course. The food was tasty and the garlic fries are certainly recommended. Service was attentive, friendly and competent.

03-21-2009 18:08:14 | More by Hibernator