Rogue Ales, makers of Dead Guy Ale has shut down suddenly under financial strain.
Absolute shock rocks the beer industry today. Rogue Ales & Spirits abruptly closed all operations Friday morning, marking the end (at least for now) of one of Oregon’s most iconic breweries.
The Newport-based brewery informed Port of Newport officials Friday morning that it would cease operations immediately, shuttering its massive 47,000-square-foot South Beach production facility along with all remaining pubs in Astoria, West Salem, and Southeast Portland.
The closure comes amid surprising financial distress. Rogue owes $545,000 in back rent to the Port of Newport and more than $30,000 in property taxes to Lincoln County.
Rogue was founded in Ashland in 1988 before relocating to Newport in 1989 and is an absolute cornerstone of Oregon’s craft beer scene for 37 years, with beers in all 50 states and so many countries beyond the United States.
Every brewer in America knows John Maier joined Rogue in 1989 that lead Rogue to winning 1,000s of beer awards. Just pick one – Dead Guy Ale, Hazelnut Nectar, Shakespeare Stout. There was even a beer made with yeast extracted for Maier’s beard a few years ago. Aptly named Beard Beer.
Beer Industry in 2025 is complicated.
Rogue’s closure is part of a what feels like a beer industry blood bath. As of late, Oregon has lost nearly 75 breweries, taprooms, or brewpubs since the the pandemic, while the national craft beer market declined by more than 4% in the past 16 months. Rogue has not been immune to that decline.
Paradoxically, Rogue opened a new Salem pub this year, which at the time signaled a positive flux in Oregonian craft beer.
Rogue Brewing has not responded to requests for comment at the time of this article. No word if Rogue is seeking a buyer for the company, beers, or trademarks.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
