Do The Barley Hops

Wine bars have been popping up all over town faster than you can say, “I’ll have another glass of Pinot Grigio, please.” So it is with pleasure that we introduce Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant, a beer-brewing import from Palo Alto, California, to your beer-lovin’ palate. Put down that Coors Light and stretch your barley and hops flavor profile by experimenting with one of the six authentic German-style lagers produced on-site. The brewmaster follows the strict 500-year-old German “purity law,” Reinheitsgebot, where the beers are made from only four ingredients—barley, hops, water, and yeast. The list includes Golden Export, a smooth, refreshing lager; Hefeweizen, a light and sparkly wheat beer; and Marzen, an amber-colored lager with a hint of sweetness. If you really want to get serious, try a pint of Schwarzbier, a heady German black beer. The brewery also produces special seasonal beers. The brewed-on-site principle also applies to the kitchen’s made-from-scratch philosophy. At Gordon Biersch, you can have your beer and lunch or dinner, too. The menu is an eclectic blend of around-the-world flavors. Egg rolls are stuffed Southwestern-style with chicken, black beans, and corn, and there’s a sweet and spicy chicken stir-fry served with jasmine rice. Good ol’ beer-drinkin’ boys will be happy to find hefty cheeseburgers and garlic fries, and meatloaf and mashed potatoes. And if you must have another glass of Pinot Grigio, the staff will surely oblige. The Shops at Legacy, 7401 Lone Star Dr., Ste. B120, Plano. 469-467-0464.