There is always more to the story, isn’t there? Today the good beer-loving people in and around Portland are reading and hearing a lot about the pending sale of the beloved Green Dragon to Rogue. If you have read some comments and blog posts you may come away feeling Rogue is just a big bully forcing themselves upon Green Dragon, but this just isn’t an accurate image. I won’t promise to illuminate you to every detail there is, but as a big fan of Green Dragon and Rogue I wanted to take a minute to clarify a few things with a fact and fiction post. I spoke with Brett and Jack Joyce, the big wigs of Rogue. From those talks, here is what I know:

Fact: Rogue is in the process of purchasing Green Dragon.
This sale needs State (OLCC) approval and if/when this happens and if all else goes well, papers could be signed as early as 11/17. This isn’t a hostile takeover, but a business decision that is apparently mutually beneficial for those with stake in the companies. Rogue (Jack and Brett Joyce anyway) really enjoys and appreciates what Green Dragon has become in only a short time.

Fiction: Rogue has laid off half the Green Dragon staff, or a number of employees.
To be frank, they couldn’t right now if they wanted to. See the point above. They haven’t assumed ownership and can’t very well influence staffing until they do. In talking with Jack Joyce, however, it also doesn’t sound as though they have plans to do so. In Rogue’s past purchases — Eugene City and Issaquah come to mind — the majority of the staff remained.

Fiction: There will be no more “Meet the Brewer” events.
These will move forward as normal, under Parker’s leadership. There should be no change in this program.

Fiction: Rogue will take over the taps. Again, according to Joyce, there are no plans to make this into a Rogue-dominated establishment. There is discussion of adding more taps that would likely be Rogue beers, but the rotating taps is part of what makes Green Dragon what it is — Rogue doesn’t plan to mess with that.

Fiction: Green Dragon will soon be “just another Rogue location.”
Joyce likes Green Dragon and plans to keep the wall art, shuffle board, pinball and everything else which makes Green Dragon the Green Dragon. “What’s in it for us?” was the question posed by Jack Joyce when I asked about changes to Green Dragon. To overhaul Green Dragon and make it into something locals don’t recognize isn’t a prudent move in his mind.

What will change? Clearly it is too early to know. I was told by both Joyce’s that staff will wear Green Dragon t-shirts and go through training. Also, kitchen staff will wear aprons. In Jack’s own words, the move is an effort to “preserve Green Dragon for the community.” If there is to be a greater Rogue presence in Green Dragon, taps will be added as to maintain the great rotating taps everyone in the region appreciates. There should not be a loss in selection as a result of this purchase. I also suspect there will be some serious conversations to come with regards to the relationship with Integrity Spirits.

There are a lot more items out there you may have read or heard. For now I just suggest everyone take a deep breath. Relax, have a good beer. To condemn the Green Dragon (or Rogue) now, before ink has even dried, would be a shame.