Rumors were circulating that Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant might close its sole Miami location all through the summer, but until now they were shot down by the brewpub chain's spokespeople. When we didn't spot the restaurant at this past weekend's Grovetoberfest, that should have been a dead giveaway.
Yesterday, however, the news was confirmed. Gordon Biersch will close its Brickell location on November 1, 2013.
See also: Conjunto Beer: Miami Brewers Team Up For Ultimate Collaboration
In an email to Short Order, the company cited the Brickell restaurant's financial difficulties as the reason for the closure:
Gordon Biersch is closing its Brickell Avenue location in Miami as of November 1st due to adverse economic conditions at that location. Gordon Biersch will continue its focus on well-crafted beer and food at its remaining 34 locations across the US. Gordon Biersch has offered some of the team members of Gordon Biersch Miami opportunities with our other restaurants across the country and the remainder of our team members will receive company support through severance and our employee assistance program.
The Chattanooga-based brewery restaurant first popped onto the Miami scene in summer of 2000, long before Brickell had its current surge of restaurants. In a review dated October 12, 2000, Lee Klein called the preppy crowd that flocked to the bar for an after-work brew, "the sort of clientele that would feel comfortable comparing business-card fonts with Christian Bale in American Psycho."
With the beer scene in Miami reaching an all-time high, it's ironic to see one of our first brew-centric establishments close down for good.
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook , on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
