Bringing Micros to the Masses
Written: Jul 21 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A great refresher for a summer’s afternoon
Cons: Lack of availability. May just be lacking to those more acquainted with the style.
The Bottom Line: What it lacks in flavor and character, it certainly makes up for in its crisp refreshing drinkability. An easy introduction to microbrewing, and satisfying for more acquainted craft brews drinkers.
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| andaryl's Full Review: Gordon Biersch Golden Export |
OK, where were we? Those of you who read my reviews regularly will know about my recent tour of a couple of brewpubs in the LA area. I’m not exactly running chronologically here, but the last I wrote was of Gordon Biersch Dunkles. Next I decided to try the Golden Export.
My other review will tell you more information about the brewer but just to recap briefly:
Gordon Biersch is a chain of 18 microbrew restaurants stretching from Honolulu to Washington DC, but concentrated in the west. They brew German style lagers and comply with the strict German beer purity law.
Export or Dortmunder Export
I had been given a taster of this one while drinking the Dunkles and figured it was probably the next one to order.
Dortmunder Export is a premium lager that originated from Dortmund in the 1870’s. It usually has more taste and strength than a pilsner but less hops. This beer style brewed outside of Dortmund is simply referred to as Export, while in some areas it is known as Dort.
Tasting Notes
The beer pours to a beautiful golden color, with impressive carbonation and a nice white foam.
The nose is pretty clean, which is expected, a little perfumey with a slight hop spice and faint hints of banana.
It’s a little heavier on the palate than it looks, somewhat light to medium, with a spritzy lively carbonation but very smooth.
The flavors again are pretty clean, marking this primarily as a refresher, but the hops do provide for some clove-like herbs in the middle. There’s also a little banana near the end which is usual for a wheat beer, so I’m not actually sure where that comes from or if it was just my own misinterpretation. The finish is very satisfying, nicely crisp and briefly dry. It does quickly mellow and clean out, but is very well rounded and satisfying in the end.
Food Pairing
Straight from the Gordon Biersch menu, try:
Old Fashioned Chopped Salad with Chicken, Pepperjack Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Pepperoni in an Olive Lemon Vinaigrette ($10.95)
Sweet & Spicy Cashew Chicken Stir Fry with Asian Vegetables and Jasmine Rice ($12.95)
Verdict
This is a very satisfying and refreshing beer, perfectly suited to sitting on the Gordon Biersch patio on a warm afternoon, and watching people walk through the square. That’s not what I did on this occasion, but pretty much how I remember drinking my beer when I lived and traveled around continental Europe.
The character and flavor are not particularly big, a little light and subdued, but it was certainly more than I had expected. Given the right circumstances I would drink this one again. I was a little young and uneducated when I drank my Exports in Germany so am unable to make any comparisons but if this style needs an introduction Gordon Biersch’s version would certainly work well for most.
Jim Rome Time
Having now written my fourth Gordon Biersch review I should add a note that they do a very good job of brewing German lagers, but they may be a little light in flavor for the more experienced. I would guess that this is intentional, as a microbrew chain would surely be better served aiming its brews at the Yuppie market. Since that’s the same place Corona and Lime started why wouldn’t they make their brews easy to drink.
I have certainly tasted better lagers than the ones brewed by Gordon Biersch, but really do enjoy their versions and will definitely return to drink them again at some point. The least you know is that you’re getting a product of pure ingredients, not cheapened or compromised in any way, and if you’re drinking at one of their locations you ‘re getting the freshest product available. You’ll also find warm and friendly personnel including the brewers, as well as a very tempting menu.
Availability
As far as I’m aware this is another draft-only Gordon Biersch lager but their brewpubs are becoming more widespread, especially in tourist locations. Bottled versions of their beers are only available in the southwest. Personally, I really think they should put together a sampler pack in time for Christmas.
Ratings
Pour: 3/5 Aroma: 7/10 Palate: 4/5 Flavor: 7/10 Overall: 14
Score: 3.5 (Borderline 4 Stars)
Recommended:
Yes
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andaryl
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Member: Andrew Smith
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