Photo by Leah Nash
Over the course of the summer I fell in love with Green Dragon, the large, friendly pub at 928 SE 9th Avenue with 19 rapidly rotating taps of great beers from all over. What began as a chilly and intimidatingly beer-nerdy cave in 2007 has evolved into a busy and accessible center of Portland’s beer culture.
Well, today I find out that the Dragon is being purchased by Rogue Ales. Angelo De Ieso II broke the news this morning on his blog, Brewpublic, with an alarmed post about the absorption on a beloved pub by what he described as a homogeneous pub empire. Commenters echoed his sentiments.
But Rogue publicist Brett Joyce, who confirmed that the Newport-based company is buying the Green Dragon, pending OLCC approval, assured me that there’s no reason to worry. “Changing the Green Dragon would be a crime against antiquity,” he said. “Green Dragon has a great reputation in Portland. We have a high respect for that, and we do not intend to change it.” Joyce added that, assuming Rogue’s takeover of the bar is accepted by the Commission (which is probable), the bar will continue to offer many guest taps and host visiting brewers. Green Dragon, he said, will “become part of the Rogue DNA,” but retain the identity that has made it so popular.
I have a much more positive opinion of the ownership change than the gang at Brewpublic. While I’m not particularly fond of Rogue’s Public House on Northwest Flanders Street, the primary problem with the place is its neighborhood. Rogue’s other properties, like the Astoria Public House and Eugene City Brewery, are much more to my liking. Furthermore, Green Dragon’s greatest weakness has always been the so-so food, and Rogue has been known to serve chocolate-drizzled bacon (though it doesn’t appear on the current menu). Yeah, there’s a $15 Kobe burger, but there’s also normal burger for $7.75—barely more than the current offerings at Green Dragon. Rogue’s owners are uncannily smart businessmen, and they know a good thing when they see it. In short, let’s wait and see.
Tags: Beer
I hope you’re right about Rogue’s food. The Rogue food I’ve had to date was horrible. I hope I just had a couple of bad experiences.
I really hope that they don’t change Green Dragon. The menu at the Rogue Ale House in the Pearl is overpriced regardless of quality and some of the worst of any brew pub in town. Rogue produces many fine beers, but Green Dragon carries several great beers that aren’t available elsewhere in the city. I just hope that Rogue doesn’t sterilize the place and reduce the selection.
Oh, I really like Green Dragon’s food!!
I hope they don’t change things too much
green dragon has only been around for a bit more than a year, hardly a Portland institution. their food was not great and Rogue’s is hit and miss but either way, it’s all about the beer…it will be awesome to get a pint of their chocolate stout on the east side of town.
I think this is great- I enjoy Rogue’s brewpubs and while I liked the Green Dragon concept, I’ve had some pretty god-awful service there. Maybe in this case, a little bit of corporate influence will help the friendly factor. GD could have had a lot more of my business if they weren’t too busy being in love with themselves to pour me a beer.
having worked for rogue at the flanders st location, i wouldnt eat there if you paid me!!! the green dragon must be worried about the future of their buissnes, its a shame they just cashed it in to rogue. Hard work would have paid off in the longrun… now rogue will just add them to the bucket of "missing the point" brew pubs the company already owns.
I really enjoyed the Bayern brews from Montana when I was at the Green Dragon last summer. Unfortunately, I believe their mushroom veggie burger was the source of my food poisoning last Summer. I can’t imagine going back there.
there is open revolt to this idea, the ink is not dry yet.
The reason the GreenDragon is so great is because it is owned by craftspeople who know how to meet the needs of locals and alike. If the dragon was sold to Rogue, all they would do is chase the dragon! It seems to me if it aint broke don’t fix it. I am surprised all of the owners of the Green Dragon would agree to this sale; some of them have more experience in brewing than others. Has there ever been a story on each of the owners, their history with beer and service?
DON’T SELL TO ROGUE!!!
Daniel Bixler
beer lover
and co-owner of Humboldt Hotsauce
I just hope that Rogue doesn’t abandon the beer selection available at Green Dragon.
As far as the food goes, Green Dragon ain’t great, and my wife got food poisoning from a serving of meat loaf there…
Suggestions for Rogue: Keep the Green Dragon brand (with "A Rogue establishment" printed in small type or on the back of the menu. Continue to showcase the rotating taps (amend with Rogue beers). Keep the shuffleboard and pinball. Knock a hole in the North wall and cover part of the outdoor seating. Don’t add a kids’ play area. Sequester the live music (if any). Get real trivia hosts. Improve and simplify the Rogue food menu (and serve more fries in an order!). Brew some new GD/Rogue beers, including a Belgian-style. Get a real dragon!
Its already done, went there over the weekend. The specialty selection is gone, and beers you see anywhere and everywhere are in. Total BS. I think I am going Rogue on Rogue. My Rogue Boycott has begin. Those Rogue Yuppy Bastards…
Ya, the Rogue Breweries aren’t giving anything away. Basic IPA $5.75 and a $3 up charge for a side salad. We all need either cheap beer, cheap food or both but not neither.