Is Rogue Ales Really Closing? Fans Panic as 37-Year-Old Brewery Vanishes Overnight

For 37 years, Rogue Ales & Spirits has been a cornerstone of Oregon's craft beer scene, a name synonymous with innovation and quality. But on Friday, the taps were abruptly shut off.

Fans were left reeling as the iconic 37-year-old brewery, along with all its restaurants, vanished overnight. This sudden closure has left employees without jobs and a community in shock. The question on everyone's mind is: Is this the end for Rogue Ales?

What We Know About The 'Vanishing Act'

Rogue officials met with the Port of Newport on Friday morning, delivering the stunning news that they would cease operations immediately. This wasn't just the Newport brewery and restaurant; the closures reportedly include all of Rogue's pubs in Astoria, West Salem, and Southeast Portland.

The company, a significant employer with about 60 staff in Newport, has been a major player for over three decades, distributing its ales to all 50 states and more than 50 countries. The Newport facility was the heart of its global operation. Its canning line, capable of running 13,800 cans an hour, is now silent.

Why A Mountain Of Debt Forced The Closure

The sudden move appears to be the result of a severe financial crisis. Rogue Ales & Spirits is drastically behind on its financial commitments, owing a staggering £436,000 ($545,000) in back rent to the Port of Newport.

The Port owns the 47,000-square-foot South Beach space that houses Rogue's main brewery, warehouse, and restaurant.

On top of the rent, the company is also delinquent on property taxes to Lincoln County, owing more than £24,000 ($30,000), according to tax assessment records. While Rogue is the largest debtor, they are not alone; over 40 other Port renters are also more than six months behind.

When reached for comment, company president Steven Garrett and other officials did not reply.

Is The Craft Beer Bubble Bursting?

While the debt is staggering, Rogue's problems are symptomatic of a struggling industry. The craft beer market has faced a brutal post-pandemic landscape.

In 2024, the national craft beer market declined by 4 per cent. Oregon, once a vibrant hub, has lost nearly 75 breweries, taprooms, or brewpubs since the pandemic began.

Rogue itself saw a sharp 18 per cent drop in sales in 2024, one of the most significant declines among Oregon's top breweries. This downturn is widely attributed to supply chain chaos, persistent inflation, labour shortages, and a general downward trend in drinking.

The Clues That Pointed To Trouble

There were warning signs. Rogue had recently shut down its distillery operations. Just last month, the Port of Newport approved an amendment to Rogue's lease to find new tenants for the 4,800-square-foot distillery building.

A Port staff report from that meeting noted, 'Rogue is moving away from the distillery business and requested assistance from the Port on finding new tenants to the building'.

One of those tenants, West Coast Seafood, has already been approved to move in, signalling a definitive end to Rogue's spirit production.

Rogue, which first began in Ashland in 1988 before moving to Newport a year later, has been a community staple. For decades, the company has been active in sponsoring and promoting Newport-area community events, making its sudden disappearance all the more painful for locals.

Despite its legacy and past refusals to sell, its future now seems uncertain, as confirmed by one Chronicle source.