Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant

Gordon Biersch Brewery & RestaurantGordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant
Gordon Biersch Brewery & RestaurantGordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

900 F St NW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20004-1404
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.67
Beers:
87
Ratings:
3,591
Linked Beer Listing
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.67
Reviews:
49
Ratings:
69
pDev:
9.54%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by hunteraw:
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Reviewed by hunteraw from China

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Met a friend here for dinner.

Atmosphere was fine, very open so it appeared big. Not particularly loud (this was a Thursday night). Most of the tables aren't very private, however, so probably not an intimate date place.

Quality: Two of the beers stood out for me, the Czech Pilsener and the Maerzen. The others were all a little lack-luster.

No complaints about service, the waitress was very helpful and knew about the beers that were offered, though she admitted that she wasn't a big beer fan before she started working at GB and realized that "all beer doesn't taste the same."

Many different beers (and plenty of food!) are offered, from kolsch to hefe weizen, to scharzbier. There's a big enough variety to show someone who is new to beer that "all beer doesn't taste the same," but the selection is limited to German styles. Once someone starts warming up to beer, you want to show them a Belgian pale ale, or an IPA, but nothing of that kind is going to be available at GB. One definite plus for the selection category was that their sampler (a shotglass of each beer offered) is free. Definitely encourages trying new things!

Food: I ordered the cajun pasta, and devoured every bit. She had the ginger salmon and left some, but the bit I had of that was quite good too. For an appetizer, we had the fried artichoke, which was excellent.
Jul 09, 2006
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

3.84/5  rDev +4.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
Stopped in on a cold Saturday afternoon for a late lunch with my wife, sister, and six year old son to meet my buddy and his fiancee. It wasn't our first choice since everything was jammed for the Big Ten tournament a few blocks away. The building is old and impressive looking and the setup is standard but adequate. The beer wasn't anything to write home about (I had a pair of the Czech lagers), but the service was decent and the apps were quite good and reasonable value for downtown DC. I wouldn't run back here but it was solid in a pinch and would be confident if I came here again.
Mar 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4.9 by Ryften from Pennsylvania

Feb 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.46 by TheBlueJerzzzz from Virginia

Jun 09, 2016
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Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia

3.79/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
This GB is downtown, so there are better places to drink good beer, but if you must you will generally be satisfied. Servers are almost always top notch, food is good and of course they don't serve BMC. Never had an extreme beer from GB, but always decent and to style.
Jan 07, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Iamjeff6 from Virginia

Dec 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.71 by MUTINY from Virginia

Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 2.9 by kkdowning from Pennsylvania

Jul 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by SlightlyGrey from Minnesota

Apr 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.88 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Jan 30, 2015
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Rated by afbatman83 from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +22.6%
Great food and drinks..nuff said
Dec 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.64 by MattWhite from Nebraska

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by nickfl from Florida

Sep 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Wyatt_Sasser from Connecticut

Sep 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by probert from New York

Sep 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jgpineda from New Jersey

Sep 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by atrocity from Virginia

Aug 01, 2014
Photo of Suds
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri

4/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
I visited this place during a trip to DC with my family for a vacation. On a particularly hot day, after visiting the Spy Museum, we stopped in here for a brew and sodas for the kids. The location, in a hotel, is convenient, and there was a small happy hour crowd watching the World Cup. The ceilings are high, and large windows give it an open feeling. Brew tanks are located in the back, far from the bar. The service was great: prompt, knowledgeable, and attentive. I had a marzen, which was well-made and tasty. Worth a visit if you are in the area.
Jun 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Boone757 from Virginia

May 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by SkinniePost from Wisconsin

May 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by polopaul20 from Maryland

Mar 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DrBass from Maryland

Mar 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Plissken from Massachusetts

Feb 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by enelson from Illinois

Dec 27, 2013
Photo of betterbitter
Reviewed by betterbitter from Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I stumbled on this location when I was staying at a hotel next door in DC. We got in fast, the service was very good. The food was fine and the beer selection was good. I tried the Blonde Bock and the Marzen - preferred the latter. Overall a good experience and I'd go back while in DC.
Jul 31, 2013
Photo of mdfb79
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York

3.78/5  rDev +3%
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.
Oct 24, 2011
Photo of jsprain1
Reviewed by jsprain1 from Minnesota

3.59/5  rDev -2.2%
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.
Jun 17, 2011
Photo of CuriousMonk
Reviewed by CuriousMonk from District of Columbia

3/5  rDev -18.3%
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.
Feb 24, 2011
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Reviewed by brewman63 from Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
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.
Jun 09, 2010
Photo of jfmorey
Reviewed by jfmorey from Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
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.
May 18, 2010
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Reviewed by beer2day from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9%
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!
Jan 16, 2010
Photo of ryannaman
Reviewed by ryannaman from California

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
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.
Dec 07, 2009
Photo of hmarebel02
Reviewed by hmarebel02 from Maryland

2.6/5  rDev -29.2%
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.
Apr 21, 2009
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Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
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.
Mar 21, 2009
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Reviewed by Applesauce1 from Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +15%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 5
I've been here twice now. Once after a Caps game, the other after visiting the National Building Museum. The atmosphere here is great. It's in an old bank. So, you've got the high ceilings and pillars. Off to the left, they've got their brewing equipment. There's a good sized bar of to the right. They've got some upstairs seating too. The music they play here is great too. As far as quality goes, I was very impressed. Food was served hot and fresh and beers were cold and filled to the brim. The service was great too. Both times I've been here I've been forced to leave good tips because of the friendly service. The only downside to this place is their selection of beers. They had 5 of their own on tap. I was hoping for more. The beers are good....but nothing great (average microbrew quality). On the other hand, the food was amazing. I had a burger my first time and a pasta dish my second time. The garlic fries here are amazing too. Overall, the prices seemed reasonable for this part of town. You're likely going to pay more other restaurants in the area.
Jan 25, 2009
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Reviewed by pinotboy007 from Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
A great place to linger before and after sporting events at Verizon Center, which is a quick, 3-minute walk away. The building used to be a bank so it's an impressive place and is immaculate.

The atmosphere is loud and festive, especially before a Capitals hockey game. I've been here several times so if you're going for dinner or lunch it's worth it.

The service is best at the bar where the bartenders (some of whom are drop-dead gorgeous)really pay attention to their patrons, even when they're swamped. It's a well run bar.

The beer selection consists of the standard GB offerings which are pretty decent. I wish they'd broaden things a bit. If you're a hop-head you'll leave wanting something more.

The food is good but some of the portions are tough to manage, especially the sandwiches. Their fries are good but be prepared for serious quanities of garlic.

Decent value for DC, especially given its proximity to the Verizon Center, Spy Museum, etc. There's noting on their menu that's over-the-top.
Nov 30, 2008
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Reviewed by BeerSox from Virginia

4/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Located on the SW corner of F and 9th. In an area with a couple other brewpubs (Capitol City Brewing and District Chophouse). Probably closest to the Metro Center stop on the Red/Orange/Blue line, and the Chinatown on the Red/Green/Yellow line.

The interior is very nice with lots of marble everywhere, tall marble Corinthian columns, granite bar counter. Obvious neo-Roman/Greek architecture that's all over D.C. Not so Roman/Greek are the serveral large HDTVs that are on the walls. The bar is L-shaped with two TVs facing the front of the restaraunt, and two more toward the back. There is an upstairs area where the bathrooms are, but it's small and I didn't see anyone up there. It could be overflow space or reserved.

The beer was reasonably priced, and the servings were generous. Proper glassware is also used. The beers are good, but nothing spectacular. They do have good variety so you can probably find something good to match with your meal.

This place is a little better than what I expected, and I'm not sure why I haven't tried the place sooner. The D.C. location is probably one of the nicer ones in the chain.
Oct 05, 2008
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Reviewed by FightingEntropy from Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I haven't been in this GB in years, and it's worth the visit just for the tall marble columns that are the main feature of the restaurant. Very cool, light, open atmosphere, and easy to get too from the Gallery/Chinatown metro stop, across the street from the Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum.

As always with GB, the beer is well brewed, but not very exiting. The summer beer, Sommergold was light and overly grainy for me, but cleanly brewed. The Schwarzbier was a bit light for the style, but very refreshing in the heat of the DC summer. Clean and slight roasty, the smooth, dark lager was better than I expected. For beer, RFD a few blocks away is much better, but I like the food at GB better.

My unusually high ranking on service came from an attempt to have a pinapple pizza. Pizza is always a good vegetarian option, and my recent favorite is an old favorite--Hawaiian--w/o the dead pig. First pizza was burned accidently, so the manager apologized and bought me my Schwarzbier. Nice, but not necessary. The replacement pizza followed very shortly, and it was a Canadian bacon laden pizza--not an option, though it looked perfectly cooked. Third time is the charmed, and my nicely done pineapple pizza arrived. When the bill came, the pizza was also free--so, two beers and a meal cost me a bit over $5 officially. Again, not necessary, but nice. Food is good, beer more than adequate, and a fine location if you're by Chinatown.
Jul 01, 2008
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Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.2/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
An ex-bank with nice ceilings and pillars,good amount of sunshine from large windows, maybe physically the nicest of this chain I have seen. Decent though not adventerous beer.Last day for Jason the brewer who is Charlottseville bound to do his own thing. The shwartzbier was the clear winner, the pilsner and kolsch OK. Very decent service and pleasant environment for a city because of tourism. More adventerous beer in other places, client directed.A place to go to kill some time between meetings and traffic clearing.
Jun 27, 2008
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Reviewed by scoobybrew from Indiana

3.73/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
The wife and I stopped in at Gordon Biersch (DC) on our recent vacation. We had been to the new location in Kansas City a few months ago and were so impressed with this chain that we had to check this location out while doing the touristy thing. The place is set in a large, high ceiling, lobby-like area of an older, but very well kept building that adjoins the Marriott hotel. The beer was, as expected, outstanding and well done. Our waiter was new to the place and seemingly new to craft beer as well, but was young and trying. I didn't cut him off when he was describing the beers as, not only was I not going to be rude, but I suppose you have to start somewhere right? The food wasn't as good as what we had in KC, but perhaps this was just the selection, as it wasn't really bad either - just kind of average in the flavor department. We would stop here again if in the area. Also, if planning a trip, it's right across from the International Spy Museum - which I highly recommend.
Jun 23, 2008
Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant in Washington, DC
Brewery rating: 3.67 out of 5 with 3591 ratings