It’s sobering when one of the craft-beer world’s landmark names draws the curtain early. After 37 years, Rogue Ales & Spirits has stunned the industry and its loyal followers by shutting down its Newport, Oregon, production operations and all associated restaurant/taproom venues seemingly overnight. The move marks a dramatic fall for a company that helped define the Pacific Northwest craft-beer boom—and underscores the harsh remains of a beer market in contraction.

Just this past week we reported on Hell in a Bucket Brewing closing and West Connection Beer Vault closing.

Rogue Ales was a Top 50 Brewery (production size) for the country. Their production facility was located at 2320 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365 (which Google already lists as ‘Temporarily Closed’ just six hours after the announcement).

Rogue Ales Nation (photo courtesy of Rogue Ales and Spirits)

What Went Down

On Friday morning, the team at the Port of Newport was informed that Rogue would be vacating its 47,000-square-foot facility in South Beach—home to its brewery, warehouse, and flagship pub. Immediately thereafter, closure signs appeared at Rogue’s locations in Astoria, West Salem and Southeast Portland.
The financial troublescape is stark: Rogue reportedly owed roughly $545,000 in back rent to the Port of Newport, plus more than $30,000 in local taxes. That kind of liability postures a brewery once ambitious enough to distribute nationally in peril.

A Legacy in the Rear-View Mirror

Founded in Ashland, Oregon in 1988, Rogue rapidly became a cornerstone of the craft-beer revolution. Its Newport relocation in 1989 placed it on the coast, with a workhorse production facility and multiple pub outposts. For decades, it rode the craft-wave, achieving national distribution and resonating with beer lovers beyond Oregon’s borders.

Yet the past few years haven’t been kind. The craft beer sector is grappling with declining sales, rising overheads, labor and supply-chain costs—and even for stalwarts like Rogue, the pressure has mounted. For example, while Oregon’s craft segment shrank by roughly 4 percent in 2024, Rogue’s sales reportedly dropped by around 18 percent. The company tried to pivot—closing its distilling operations and seeking new lease terms—but the pace and scale of contraction appears to have overwhelmed the effort.

Why This Matters for The Craft Beer Community

• Symbolic loss: Rogue was part of the “first wave” of craft breweries. Its collapse suggests even established brands are not immune in the current climate.

• Distribution ripple effects: As Rogue supplied a wide area, the closure may shake taprooms, liquor stores and beer-buyers who stocked its lines.

• Local job impacts: Sources say about 60 people worked at the Newport facility—now abruptly a “closed” asset. *

• Regional identity hit: What gets lost when a longtime brand disappears? Part of Oregon’s beer narrative just took a sharp turn.

• (Source: The Washington Beer Blog)

What Went Wrong (and Key Takeaways for Breweries)

1. High fixed costs + big production footprint: Rogue’s 47,000 sq ft plant meant large overhead; when sales dip, those fixed costs bite hard.

2. National ambitions amid contraction: Expanding into national channels might spread brand reach—but it also widens exposure to macro‐headwinds. As distribution pressures mount, staying nimble locally may be smarter.

3. Market contraction is real: With declining craft-beer consumption and more players in the field, even successful breweries face margin compression.

4. Lease and tax liabilities escalate quickly: Back rent and tax bills piled up—what may have been manageable when growth was strong becomes untenable when growth halts.

5. Employee risk & abrupt closures: Reports say staff were notified via the company scheduling app and given no severance. Breweries must manage crisis planning—not just for operations but for people.

The Final Pour

As I sit here reflecting on this closure from Pennsylvania, I can’t help but feel a tinge of melancholy. Rogue’s story has been part of the craft beer tapestry, and it’s painful to see the lights go out—not just for the brand but for the people who poured their passion into it, the communities it touched, and the beer culture it helped shape.

For “The Beer Thrillers,” this is both a cautionary tale and a teachable moment. The beer industry isn’t immune to disruption, even for those with legacy. For you, the beer lover, brewer, or blog-writer: let this be fuel—not just for reflection, but for action. Stay aware of your overheads, lean into local, monitor your distribution strategy—and most of all, stay agile.

Raise a pint to Rogue Ales & Spirits—their journey ends today, but the lessons echo onward. May future breweries learn from the rise and the fall. Rogue Ales was certainly one of the early craft breweries I got a taste of in the 2000s, along with Bell’s, Founders, Stone, and the other industry giants of the time. The craft beer bubble bursting and its effects and impacts are certainly being felt across the entire industry in all the different aspects of it, from small to big and from big to small.

Cheers.

For More Information on Rogue Ales

The following comes via Untappd.

They are listed to have 0 unique beers, because Untappd has already moved them to “closed” and has them under “This brewery is no longer in production”. (Not sure why this means they have to set them to 0 unique beers though.) They are listed as being from Newport, Oregon and a regional brewery. They have over 2.7 million check ins, and an average rating of 3.68 (as of 11.14.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Rogue Ales & Spirits was founded in Oregon in 1988 as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 2,000 awards for taste, quality and packaging, and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Proudly rooted in Newport Oregon, Rogue’s beers, spirits, cocktails, seltzers and sodas are a liquid ode to Oregon and the endless inspiration that its land, its sea and its people provide. ”

You can follow them on these social media outlets:

• Rogue Ales and Spirits – Official Website
• Rogue Ales and Spirits – Facebook
• Rogue Ales and Spirits – Twitter
• Rogue Ales and Spirits – Instagram
• Rogue Ales and Spirits – Untappd

Just today, at 10:10 AM, Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery announced their sudden taproom and brewery closure. They followed it up with a post at 12:40 PM elucidating a bit more on the closure. But, as it stands, their last day as a taproom and brewery will be this Saturday – April 19th, 2025. The Morrisville brewery and taproom was short lived, but well loved, and was a community stalwart, giving much back to the community and hosting several fundraisers and helping with local groups like the Girl Scouts, etc. Just shy of being open for four years, they will be greatly missed. They are located at 58-B East Bridge St, Morrisville, PA 19067.

Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery Announces Taproom Closing

The Announcement

At 10:10 AM today, April 17th, 2025, Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery announced the following on social media:

It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of our taproom. We hope that during our time open you gathered here with friends and family to enjoy our beer and food and our cozy vibes and cat decor. We pride ourselves on starting a resurgence of new hospitality businesses in Morrisville Borough. We will miss our staff and customers dearly and appreciate you all.  Our last full day of service is Saturday April 19th. If you have any inquiries as to if you can purchase any of our equipment/furniture/artwork or to help in anyway please feel free to email us at support@bitchinkitten.com

Kitten Out

Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery – Facebook Post

While we say goodbye it is important to look back at where we came from. It has been hard not to feel like we failed our customers, but the world and life is not always easy and kind to small businesses. We put all our effort and heart into this brewery and hope to keep the Kitten alive in someway in the future. We will still be open until this Saturday our normal hours. We would appreciate seeing anyone who can come out before we close! We also appreciate any help/purchases of beer, decor, and equipment we have left! Reach out to us on messages or email support@bitchinkitten.com

Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery (BK Brewery) – Facebook Post

For More Information on Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery

The following comes via Untappd. Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery is a brewpub from Morrisville, PA. They have 52 unique beers and over 9,400 ratings, with a global average rating of 3.74 (as of 4.17.25). Their Untappd description reads: “Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery opened our doors in October 2021 in Morrisville PA. We have an inside taproom and outdoor patio seating which is dog (and cat) friendly. BKB partners with local non-profit animal rescues (primarily cat rescues) and donates part of our proceeds for their benefit. ”

You can ind them at these social media platforms:

• Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Official Website
• Bit-hin’ Kitty Brewery – Facebook
• Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Instagram
• Bitchin’ Kitty Brewery – Untappd

See Also

• Bitchin’ Kitten Beer To Celebrate The 154th Anniversary Of The Women’s Animal Center