This week on Here’s What We Know, Gary shares a pint (and some amazing stories) with Dan Gordon of Gordon Biersch Brewery! From a teen trip to Germany that changed his life to crafting beers for big names like Sammy Hagar, Ryan Reynolds, and Trader Joe’s, Dan’s journey is equal parts inspiring and entertaining.
Plus, they dig into the heart of brewing, why music and beer are surprisingly connected, and how to do Oktoberfest the right way.
Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just love a good story about pursuing your passion and inspiration, this episode is for you! Give it a listen, and maybe crack open a cold one while you do!
This episode is sponsored by:
In this Episode:
- How a 15-year-old’s trip to Germany sparked a lifelong career
- The science behind consistent, quality beer making
- What it’s like brewing for Trader Joe’s, Kirkland, Betty Buzz, and beyond
- How Dan’s music background shapes teamwork and creativity in business
- Tips for Oktoberfest (and what to eat with your beer!)
Quotations:
“Every day is an adventure.” ~ Dan Gordon
“I play jazz. I’m a jazz guy and I still play professionally, and it is what keeps me sane.” ~ Dan Gordon
“If your kids are gonna learn an instrument, French horn and bassoon are the best two instruments for getting into a college of your choice. Every university is always short on those two instruments. It’s the fastest path to an acceptance into a great university.” ~ Dan Gordon
“It turned out I love manufacturing. Even though we were making canned fruit and tomatoes, I loved everything about it. I loved every industrial machinery that was processing, all the things involved with it.” ~ Dan Gordon
“So, just when we’re talking about the quality of beer, you can always make a great beer. That’s the first and foremost thing. But then, how it’s handled after it’s been brewed. Fresher is better. That’s one of the big things. Low oxygen fills; it has to have no oxygen contact. And that’s only done by using really high-quality German fillers. Those are critical. And then avoidance of heat and light is also critical too. Those are what keep beer in good shape.” ~ Dan Gordon
“Cooking is king.” ~ Dan Gordon
Bio:
Dan Gordon, co-founder of Gordon Biersch, has earned a reputation as one of America’s leading brewing engineers. As the director of brewing operations for Gordon Biersch, he supervises the state-of-the-art brewing and bottling facility in San Jose, CA.
Gordon is the first American in more than 40 years to graduate from the prestigious five-year brewing engineering program at the world-renowned Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan, West Germany. Before earning his brewing engineer’s degree there in 1987, he interned at Spaten Brewery in Munich and served as a technical translator at Lowenbrau Consulting.
Gordon, who was born in San Jose in 1960, entered the program after earning a resource economics degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982 and spending a year as an exchange student at the Georg August University in Gottingen, Germany. He also worked for at the Anheuser Busch brewery in Fairfield, CA to gain the brewing experience he needed to apply to the Technical University of Munich.
After completing the world’s most advanced brewing program, Gordon returned to California and joined forces with restaurateur Dean Biersch to take advantage of a new state law allowing brewery restaurants. In 1988, the partners opened their first Gordon Biersch brewery restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif.
In the decade since, Gordon Biersch and the concept it pioneered have both expanded dramatically. But Gordon still makes sure his beloved lagers — Pilsner, Märzen, Hefeweizen, and Blonde Bock plus seasonal beers — are brewed in strict accordance with the German purity laws. He uses only the finest ingredients, including Hallertauer hops and a pure strain yeast culture from the Weihenstephan yeast bank.
A lesser known attribute is Dan’s musical background as a jazz trombonist. Accomplished on both tenor and bass trombone he has had recorded with Michael Davis on Absolute Trombone II and Curtis Campbell’s Blues album “Live at the Sweetwater.” As an undergrad exchange student in Göttingen, Germany, Dan spent more time playing in the jazz clubs as opposed to studying and his jazz rock group was featured in a concert at the Deutches Theater (German National Theater). He continues to be active in the Bay Area jazz scene performing with numerous contemporary big bands and combos. Gordon grew up in Los Altos and attended Homestead High School whose famed music program was under the lead Rory Snyder.
Guest Contact Info:
Website: https://gordonbiersch.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gordon-6429916/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/gordonbierschbrewingco/