I don't know. The tap list is not bad. They just took all all the staples from breweries in the Oregon Distribution. I would drink many things on that list. However, Yard House decor blows, its crazy expensive, and their taps probably don't rotate often. Im not sure why would anyone who cares about beer in this city go to Yard House.
The list doesn't look so bad, but the prices are $1.50-2/pint higher than pretty much all the good beer bars in town.
I didn't realize Henry's was opening a second location.... I could see a Mellow Mushroom style fail here. A concept that works outside of Portland assuming they can just port their generic concept. If Old Chicago can make it in the area, I assume they may be able to but downtown is a different animal from the outskirts. Maybe the fact that it will probably be more Henry's than McMenamin's will help in that regard?
Yeah, I think Henry succeeds on reputation, tradition, and local ties though. The fact that it is in downtown helps Yard House because of the tourist and out of towner reach. Some people like to go on vacation and go to familiar places, some like to go and see different places. I think its a 50/50 on if it stays past 3 years.
Bottom of the taplist in huge bold print: "Chalkboard Series: Featuring five unique rotating draft offerings". Having said that, I don't think the list is awful: RPM, Hop Venom, Abt 12, Sculpin, AK Smoked Porter, and a fair few others are fantastic choices imo. Having said that, I know I can always find these beers someplace else that is way cheaper, more conveniently located, and that offers a better atmosphere; so I don't see myself stopping in anytime soon, unless I get word that the "Chalkboard Series" offers up something mindbogglingly fantastic
You can see the "Chalkboard Series" list here, lower right corner: http://www.yardhouse.com/OR/portland-restaurant/
Looks like I need to keep a better eye out-thanks for the heads up! I feel the same way about this list as the regular list, though. Saison a Fleurs sounds nice, but there are tons of places I'd rather go to try it. The rest of the list is "meh"
Yards in downtown Seattle has been open for 1.5 to 2 years. I work 2 blocks away, so I go in there every month or two. They've had Alaskan Smoked Porter on tap every time. Two other mildish, non-geek beers that I love are also always on tap: Alpine (of WA state) Pilsner and Everybody's Brewing steam beer. These obscure beers I would expect to be problematic in a 150 tap setting, but they've always been fresh for me. I suspect (myself being from Portland) that this thread is mostly about being skeptical of out-of-state chains (I am) than about "meh" taplists or stale beer. Prices? Portland, welcome to Seattle beer prices. Yards' prices in Seattle are in line with the surrounding competition. Hopefully, Yards will find that they need to make price adjustments in Portland.
The tap list looks decent enough to me. My only objection is the pricing. I realize we have it pretty good here compared to places like Seattle, SF, NYC, etc, but the fact of the matter is that I'm not going to pay $6-6.75 for a (presumably shaker) pint of something like "Ninkasi Seasonal" or 10 Barrel Apocalypse IPA when I could go to pretty much any other bar in town and drink it for $4-5.
at least you guys get ballast point in pdx. you get all the good ones seattle does plus that it looks like.
i spoke too soon - looks like you have a lot more good ipas that we dont have. laurelwood, 10 barrel, ft george vortex...i dont think seattle has any of those...
On the contrary, Seattle gets everything you just listed. [EDIT: Oh, or do you mean Seattle Yard House, specifically?]
$6-$6.75 a pint is not going to happen. way too many options close to downtown. I can fill a 32oz growler for $7 at Upright or Baileys Tap 5 minutes from my work and enjoy awesome beer while I do so. this place may do ok, but I think the beer nerds will pass
On the other hand, you guys have solid IPA's from Black Raven, Bale Breaker, Fremont, Sound, and probably a bunch of others I've never heard of. The hops are always greener, eh?
