MicroBrewr 038: Learn the classics and stay true to your genre
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Dan Gordon enjoyed beer from the young age of 15 years. In high school, he lived next door to 2 brewers when he studied in Austria. Then in post-grad, he studied Brewing Engineering and Beverage Technology in Germany. Back home in Palo Alto, he partnered with restaurateur, Dean Biersch, to open a brewpub in Palo Alto, California, which later became Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose, California.
Gordon Biersch went on to open brewpubs throughout the U.S. and abroad. They had to divest, but remain connected. Meanwhile Gordon Biersch Brewing Company was the 49th largest craft brewery in the nation based on 2013 numbers. Their beers won 4 medals in the 2014 Great American Beer Festival.
Dan and Gordon Biersch were part of the famed craft beer class of 1988. He has a wealth of insight. Here are some of his suggestions:
- Get industrial experience from a legitimate brewer
- Invest in quality equipment
- Stay true to your genre
- Start bottling sooner rather than later
- Hold your breath and wait a little bit
“[Homebrewing] is a foundation and building block for making beer popular these days.” [Tweet This]
Listener question:
From Trina Christensen: What is the most rewarding thing about brewing? Are you tired of cleaning yet?
Book recommendation:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.
Check out the entire list of recommended books, click here.
An upcoming beer style:
Pilsner
Other resources:
- Garlic Fries… HOME RUN! by Eric Kauschen, Baghdad By The Bay, April 3, 2012.
- Reinheitsgebot, Wikipedia.
- What is the Reinheitsgebot? by Jennifer McHavin, About Food.
- Michael Jackson’s Beer Hunter.
- How to Build a Small Brewery by Bill Owens.
You can reach Brian Kelly and Elevation 66 Brewing Company at:
- www.gordonbiersch.com/brewery
- Facebook: gordonbierschbrewingco
- Twitter: GBBrewingCo
- Twitter: Gordon_Biersch
You might also like:
MicroBrewr 035: Staying creative and innovative with partner brewing, with 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco, California.
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