Rogue Ales Abruptly Closes All Operations

A Shocking End to a Craft Beer Icon

In a stunning development, Rogue Ales & Spirits—one of Oregon's most celebrated craft breweries—has abruptly shut down all operations. The closure, announced with no prior warning on Friday, November 14, 2025, affects the company's Newport headquarters and all its remaining pubs in Astoria, West Salem, and Southeast Portland. Employees received a brief notification via a scheduling app at 8 a.m., stating they would be paid through the end of the day but offering no severance or transition plan—barely two weeks before Thanksgiving.

A Legacy in Jeopardy

Founded in Ashland in 1988 and relocated to Newport in 1989, Rogue Ales pioneered the American craft beer movement. It became a Top 10 Oregon brewery and earned over 2,000 awards for iconic beers like Dead Guy Ale, Shakespeare Stout, and Hazelnut Nectar. For decades, its Newport facility overlooking Yaquina Bay produced 13,800 cans per hour, distributing beer to all 50 states and over 50 countries. The company also expanded into spirits, canned cocktails, and even THC-infused seltzers earlier this year.

The company has been active in helping promote and sponsor Newport-area community events for over 30 years.

The Financial Collapse

Behind its abrupt closure, Rogue faces crippling debt. The company owes a staggering $545,000 in back rent to the Port of Newport for its 47,000-square-foot South Beach facility and an additional $30,000 in property taxes to Lincoln County. The Port confirmed it had been negotiating with Rogue for months over the arrears, but no resolution was reached before the shutdown. Earlier in October, the Port had already leased Rogue's 4,800-square-foot distillery building to West Coast Seafood, signaling brewing officials' awareness of financial distress.

The collapse mirrors broader industry struggles. In 2024, Rogue's sales plummeted 18%—among the steepest declines among Oregon's top 10 craft breweries. Nationwide, the craft beer market shrank by 4% due to inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages, and shifting consumer preferences. Oregon alone has lost nearly 75 breweries since the pandemic.

Final Contributing Factors

Rogue's recent pivot to hemp-derived THC seltzers may have accelerated its downfall. Just one day before the closure, President Donald Trump signed legislation effectively banning most hemp products, a move that could have crippled Rogue's new revenue stream. This followed a June 2025 decision to outsource national sales to U.S. Beverage LLC, indicating internal challenges.

There was no warning, no heads up... two weeks before Thanksgiving.

—Carinna Stanton, Rogue West Salem Manager

The suddenness of the shutdown has left employees and the community reeling. The Port of Newport is now assessing the future of the iconic waterfront property, which employed about 60 people. Meanwhile, Rogue Ales' status as the 50th-largest U.S. craft brewery (per the Brewers Association) makes its collapse one of the most significant craft beer industry closures in recent years.

What Lies Ahead?

With Rogue officials refusing to comment, questions linger about the company's solvency and whether any assets—like its brands or equipment—might be sold. For now, Oregon's craft beer landscape has lost a pioneer, and the fate of its legacy remains uncertain.