Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | July 1, 1988 in Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Founder | Dan Gordon, Dean Biersch |
| Headquarters | San Jose , United States |
| Products | Beer |
Gordon Biersch Brewery is a United States-based brewery founded by Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch. Gordon, an alumnus of the brewing engineering program at Weihenstephan, Germany, partnered with Biersch to launch their inaugural brewery restaurant in Palo Alto, California, in July 1988. The restaurant chain was sold in 1999 to the entity that later became CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries.
In November 1995, aiming to grow their $20 million enterprise, the founders along with investors accepted an $11.2 million capital infusion from the Fertitta family of Las Vegas, resulting in Lorenzo Fertitta assuming majority ownership. Currently, Gordon Biersch produces beer on behalf of Costco and Trader Joe's through contract brewing. Their brewery and bottling operations are situated in Japantown, San Jose, California. In 2016, the company introduced "Chum," a dry-hopped red ale created as a tribute to the San Jose Sharks hockey team.
On May 8, 2019, a consortium of investors led by co-founder Dan Gordon reclaimed majority ownership of Gordon Biersch Brewing Company.
Awards
Gordon Biersch Brewing Company has received numerous accolades within the American brewing industry, reinforcing its strong market presence. At the Great American Beer Festival, it secured gold medals for its Bohemian-style pilsner in 2004 and German Style Schwarzbier in 2007. Additionally, the Rauchbier produced at its Annapolis, Maryland location earned gold in 2014. In 2018, the Tysons Corner branch of Gordon Biersch, under brewer Justin Damadio’s leadership, won gold in the Bohemian Pilsner category. At the World Beer Cup, the brewery achieved gold for sweet stout and bronze for a Vienna style lager in 2002, followed by gold for German style schwarzbier in 2006.