You probably saw the news last week that CraftWorks Restaurants and Breweries was closing the Original Gordon Biersch Brewpub in Palo Alto. It turns out that was only half of the story, the half from CraftWorks who was looking at an underperforming location with no sense of its history. Much more interesting is the other half of the story, in which a partnership will be re-opening the brewpub in February of 2016 under the name “DG’s GB,” for “Dan Gordon’s Gordon Biersch.” The group includes Gordon Biersch co-founder Dan Gordon, Oliver Gordon — Dan’s son — along with one of Gordon Biersch’s earliest employees from the very beginning (in fact employee #2 after Dan and Dean on the founding team) Steve Sinchek and his wife Lisa Sinchek. Sinchek also owns and operates two successful restaurants in the area, and they’ll be extensively renovating the 27-year old brewpub, licensing the GB name from CraftWorks. DG’s GB will be unique to the brewpub chain and the plan is to offer a one-of-a-kind experience in Palo Alto where it all began.
The Palo Alto Gordon Biersch brewpub when it opened in 1988.
Dan gave me a call at home yesterday during halftime to get me up to speed on the rest of the story, that while the Palo Alto Gordon Biersch is closed now, it won’t be forever, and the grand re-opening should be in just five months, give or take, from now. They’re basically going to gut the inside, installing a new bar on the left-hand wall of the inside, with hightop tables and communal dining. The new menu will be farm to table, with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. There will still be Dan’s signature garlic fries, of course, but I’m more excited about a new menu item they’ll be introducing: fresh-baked Bavarian pretzels that will be made in a special oven outside.
An early press shot of Dan and Dean taken at the San Jose brewpub circa 1990.
Brewer Tom Davis, who used to brew at Palo Alto in the early days, will use the smaller brewpub brewery as both a training brewery and for R&D, to create small batch experimental and seasonal beers that will be unique to DG’s GB. They’ll offer twelve beers, brewing four rotating ones there exclusively for the Palo Alto brewpub, with the rest of the lineup produced at the San Jose production brewery, which has been making their beer since it opened in 1997.
The brewers from the production brewery will take turns on the smaller brewhouse, and will be given an opportunity to come with their own experimental recipes. Each one of these will be a one-off, and the series will be known as “Tank 21,” since there are twenty tanks at the production brewery. If one proves popular enough, it may show up later as a new package in wider distribution.
But by far this is my favorite old shot from Palo Alto.
Dan: “Gee, opening a brewery restaurant… Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Dean: “I guess we’ll know if we’re still around in 10 years.”
27 years later, I guess we know.
We are so excited to hear the news. We got married in SF and had our reception at the GB in SF. I grew up in San Jose , we are stein club members and frequent the Palo Alto GB whenever we fly out of SF. Huge fans of your beers..you inspired my husband to brew and we make some killer German beers thanks to you! We can’t wait to check out the next GB chapter. If you ever want to do a collaborative recipe call us! Best wishes and cheers! Cynthia & Rick Lee
Great info, thanks for sharing!
Actually that first promo shot with Dan and Dean is in the San Jose brewpub.
Nope. That’s the original GB in Palo Alto. The bar was originally a long “L” along the two walls. I would love to see them restore that layout. 😉
It’s also a little strange to imagine Oliver Gordon old enough be a partner in the new place. But, we’re all getting older, I suppose. Congratulations to them all. See you at the opening!
This is good news!! Thanks for the update.
I wish them success in their escape from the corporate beancounters!
PROST! MY DADDIES for 20+ yrs. And to 20 more yrs, “Let’s Do Dis Already!” Much Love & ALOHA, RICO & DA CREW from G.B. HONOLULU
yes, yes, yes…..was working for gbsf!!! Closed!!!!! Now the good news! All the best from bavaria
Beer is important. Keep up the good work.
DGGB * All the Talent from how it waS!! A great part of my early daze… In this cool crazy biz…best Wishes!..
Robert*robenatar65@gmail.com*
Can’t wait for the re-opening. Will do my share for the sales volume.
Kaaarl.
DG’s GB? Horrible name, no one is going to say all that. And sorry, most diners in Palo Alto are with work groups – and are often “talking shop” and are not going to want to sit at communal tables. I agree, the place needs a good sprucing up and a fresh menu, but no way are we taking work lunches to a place with shared tables. I hope the staff that hung in through the lean years is being taken care of.
Sorry I missed the closing night. I’ve been going to GB since it opened in July, 1988 and have a stein and box there as well. I’ll certainly be going back on it reopens.
We were there for the original opening and for many years after. It was THE local bar! It felt local because you could run into Dan, Dean or Mack most nights of the week plus friends from around the area. Love to support the fresh start! Already have the girlfriends rounded up and ready.
I can’t wait till opening day.
One of the bartenders told me that Dan was taking over when I went there last summer. I was pleased to hear that since some of my favorite beers were missing hoping he will bring back the old German flavor. The next time I went there it was closed and a note was posted that it will reopen January of 2016 and I just opened this website to see if it has already opened. no problem I can wait.
I am an SF resident who enjoyed the SF location and was saddened when it was closed.
I hope Dan is looking for an SF location as well.