Samantha Sugar, a former Rogue Ales & Spirits manager, sits outside the brewery’s main operations in South Beach. Sugar and 46 other Newport employees were laid off when the company abruptly ceased all operations Nov. 14. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle
Samantha Sugar remembers the golden era of Rogue Ales – when cell phones weren’t allowed at the bar, there was a strict philosophy of “no politics or religion”, there was smoking and poker in the back room, and every opportunity for celebration was taken – pig roasts, trivia, bingo, oyster boils and holiday parties that ended in plunges at the dock.
“They really built something special, it was this continuous outpouring of people,” Sugar said in an interview with the Lincoln Chronicle. “It was a wild experiment in community.”
Sugar spent years in various positions, mostly as the general manager of Rogue’s three pubs from 2008-2013, first starting in Portland before relocating to Newport. She built her life around the business, and in turn the “Rogue family” did the same.
Rogue printed special beer bottle labels for Samantha Sugar’s rehearsal dinner in 2012.She met her husband, Chris, while working there. They held their rehearsal dinner at the pub in 2012, and the company even made special beer bottles with their faces printed on them. Her oldest son worked there, and it was her youngest’s first job when he turned 15.
“For me it was more personal, I had the family of Rogue Nation, but I also gave my family to Rogue,” Sugar said. “My entire house is out of a job right now.”
Last month, Rogue Ales abruptly ceased all operations, and a week later filed for bankruptcy, owing more than $16.7 million in debt, including $594,000 in back rent to the Port of Newport and unpaid Lincoln County property taxes totaling $918,000.
Rogue Ales was Oregon’s third-largest craft brewery and is listed in the country’s top 50 craft breweries. Headquartered in Newport, the company shipped beer and other products internationally. It built a distinct brand on creative marketing and brewing innovations and the iconic image of their most popular product, Dead Guy Ale.
In Newport, 47 people lost their jobs. Outside of its 137-page bankruptcy filing, Rogue executives have not offered any other explanation or regret for the company’s abrupt closure.
Rogue Ales & Spirits was Oregon’s third-largest craft brewery and is listed in the country’s top 50 craft breweries. Headquartered in Newport, the company shipped beer and other products internationally. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)Economic impact
Although Rogue had been in financial trouble and was behind on their rent, it was still a shock to see them cease operations rather than try to sell first, said Paul Schuytema, executive director of Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County.
A hastily made sign announces the closure of Rogue’s Pier 39 pub in Astoria, one of three outside of Newport that shuttered Nov. 14.In hindsight, there may have been a few decisions that made the “perfect storm” for their closure, Schuytema said.
The company bought machinery and space with the idea that the industry would grow bigger and bigger. They had infrastructure to expand operations for up to 80 people, he said. But instead, the market was shrinking – the wine and craft beer industry had been bumping against the ceiling for a while, and less people are drinking.
Six of the 10 biggest craft breweries in Oregon saw sales decline in 2024, according to data from the Brewers Association. Oregon has lost nearly 75 breweries, taprooms or brewpubs since the pandemic. Breweries nationwide have seen a decline in sales too. In 2024, the craft beer market declined by 4 percent. And small breweries are hit especially hard.
In 2024, Rogue Ales saw a drop in sales by 18 percent, according to data from the Brewer’s association – one of the lowest drops that year.
Although Rogue started its distillery business more than 20 years ago, it requires a lot of time to make a product that you can sell and start seeing revenue from, Schuytema said. Rogue’s bankruptcy filing said it was sitting on nearly $3 million worth of whisky aging in barrels.
SchuytemaWhen all the restaurants and the brewery closed their doors, between 5-10 people lost their jobs in Salem, 10-15 in Portland, 5-10 in Astoria and 47 in Newport, where the company was headquartered, Schuytema said.
The company is the 21st largest employer in the city, he said and its closure translates to an economic hit of about $3 million a year.
Some workers will likely be able to stay in Newport and be absorbed by the other restaurants and businesses, Schuytema said, while some may move on to other parts of the state, especially those with more specialized brewing jobs.
“It’s a loss for workers,” he said. “It’s also a loss for Newport. They are a very well-known quirky brand with tasty products and that’s a hit.”
It’s uncertain what Rogue’s large 47,000-square-foot main building will be next, Schuytema said. In his talks with the Port of Newport they have talked about using it as a space for trade shows and a business incubator, but nothing is certain. But he believes there will be a better use than just serving as a warehouse space.
The Port has already agreed to lease out Rogue’s nearby distillery building to a seafood processor and a marine electronics company.
Rogue Brewing operated in Newport from 1989 until it closed Nov. 14, owing $594,000 in rent to the Port of Newport and millions to other creditors. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)Saying goodbye
Sugar left Rogue for several years but came back in October – a month before the sudden closure. She did so because she had a dream to try to breathe back some of what was so wonderful during those golden years of the 2000s.
“Newport was the heart and soul of Rogue but moving the financial operations out of the area created a lot of standard operating procedures,” she said.
It changed the feeling, she said.
“Some of the younger kids don’t know the glory days and I wanted the next generation to feel and understand,” she said.
Unfortunately, they ran out of time for her dream to be realized, she said. Rogue employees received a message the night before the business closed, calling them to a meeting. Some got phone calls breaking the news the next day while others were informed in person.
To Sugar, the cold corporate closure felt like the “antithesis” of everything Rogue stood for.
About a week after the abrupt closure, WorkSource Oregon Centers in Newport and Seaside held rapid response sessions to get employees connected with unemployment resources. The Newport event drew about a dozen former Rogue employees.
The Rogue pub inside its South Beach brewery has historic photographs including an image of the Newport Bayfront where Rogue Bayfront Public House was located before its closure Nov. 14. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)The loss comes at a terrible time, right before the holidays, Sugar said. But that hasn’t stopped her from relishing in all the good memories her time at Rogue brought her.
“Rogue was woven into the identity of Newport,” she said. “Rogue it wasn’t just a business; it was a heartbeat.”
On a cork board there are Polaroid photographs, newspaper clippings, blurry bar photos, pictures with Santa at the pub’s Christmas parties and all the faces that made Rogue – founders, bartenders, managers, wait staff and other employees.
When Sugar took a last look at the Bayfront pub she regarded these photos with tenderness.
“My hope is that this moment pulls us together, not apart, that local businesses rise, that we keep feeding the fishers, supporting workers and welcoming the wanderers who make this their home,” Sugar said., “Rogue Nation was built on community and that community exists even if the brewery doesn’t.”
- Shayla Escudero covers Lincoln County government, education, Newport, housing and social services for Lincoln Chronicle and can be reached at [email protected]
This event totally changed my whole life. I invested all my time and effort into this company. I was the warehouse guy for almost 8 years and have been by myself for the past 3 doing all the work. Really put me in a hard spot and without any severance pay or making us lose our paid time off. It’s completely trash of a company that says they cared about there workers and families. I’m a single father of 2 boys … been a struggle but hopefully there is a great new job begging for me now.
Tank you were a beast another hard working man, you came along ways at Rogue. I’m sorry for the way things went down, any company that you go to will be lucky to have you! You will succeed where ever you go your work ethic is one of the best I ever seen. I wish you the best keep pushing 🍻
As one of my favorite places to go to eat and drink some great beer, I was very sad to hear about the biz closing, especially overnight! I wish it could find a way to stay here because it’s a part of Newport that is true to me and hundreds others.
This is a lesson for people working for a private company or even government. You do not owe anything to the company you work for. They owe you. If an opportunity comes up for advancement, you take it! Whether for another company or the one you are working for. You give the company 100% but never bank on them being loyal to you. All companies want loyalty from their employees but when it comes down to it, they will screw you for any reason.
I’m a musician and one of the most fun parties I ever played was a memorial service for the Newport Rogue brewery’s dog. Of course, people were encouraged to bring their dogs. One moment will always stay with me because we all laughed and laughed as a big husky roguishly lifted its leg against a stack of cases of Yellow Snow beer.
I understand the feeling of betrayal and shock felt by the employees. Rogue really did have a we-are-all-family ambience. I pray that the workers will quickly find satisfying employment. I’m going to miss Rogue.
https://www.northwestbeerguide.com/winterbeers-20182019/rogue-yellow-snow
Rogue was everything to me and my family! I worked there almost 20 years! I started as can line lead, went in to filling kegs by myself then into the warehouse where I worked with N8! N8 was unique and one of a kind listening to classical music and one of the hardest workers I have ever met. The brewery would give tours to visitors as we were working trying to get orders built, sometimes it was aggravating, but we knew this what people came here for so we put up with it.(this is why N8 says he listened to classical music so he didn’t kill people😂) N8 wouldn’t hurt a fly! N8 and I worked our asses off, we were the only 2 guys in the warehouse when Rogue exploded, it was a blast shipping beer all over the nation and into over 50 countries.. Rogue did some awesome things for the employees, Christmas parties were the best, hands down!! N8 and I were named co-employees of the year in 2012 they sent us anywhere in the world all expense paid take your whole family! N8 went to Australia, I went to Disney World with my wife and 3 girls what an awesome time! Rogue gave me a chance when no one else would Jack and Brett Joyce were hard nosed guys but who wouldn’t be in there positions I loved both of them and miss the shit out of Jack! Jim Cline was like a father figure to me! Jim taught me so much and is such an amazing human! I remember when we released Siracha Stout it was a February we had 2 million dollars in beer sales and 2 million dollars in Siracha Stout sales that February we did over 4 million dollars in sales. We also were talked about on Jimmy Fallon “look at this brewery out west they are looking for true alcoholics with the release of Siracha Stout beer!” Rogue was thriving and I loved being the transportation manager routing all of Rogue trucks and lining up all the outside carriers to deliver our beer throughout the USA. I’m so bummed Rogue is no more. It was amazing ride and disappointed that I don’t have a job through the holidays! I’m not gonna bash the company I knew things were declining but had no clue they were this bad. I love my Rogue family and love what Rogue did for myself and my family. I’m gonna miss all the Rogue language the JJ/BJ/Jc/N8 it was unique and will never be another 🍻 🍺 🍻
Pat, It was great working with you! I’m proud to have been the first to import Rogue into Japan over 30 years ago. I have been overwhelmed by the reaction of the Japanese beer community.
A lot of love and shock!
All hail to Dead Guy…the only beer served at our home in October! Halloween will never be the same.
I took a friend there one week before closing. Obviously the place was hopping like usual The food was great. I got to sit in my favorite little window in the upstairs bar looking down at the marina. My friend, from Oklahoma was very impressed with the place. The young lady at the bar made us the best bloody Marys we’ve ever had. The snacks were awesome as usual. That was always my favorite little nook and I was happy whenever I could snag it. Thank God I had that moment because one week later the closure occurred. I got some great pictures too. We’re going to miss you Rogue, and all of the wonderful employees that made our experiences fantastic
“space for trade shows and a business incubator, but nothing is certain. But he believes there will be a better use than just serving as a warehouse space.” Aren’t businesses on the bay/in the port area supposed to be marine-related? I thought Rogue Breweries got an exemption from the standard regulatory requirement. Marine electronics & a cannery are consistent w/a marine related business requirement. A business incubator doesn’t seem to fit.
I worked for Rogue for over 5 years, all shifts managing the pubs. The way they treated us workers to close, this time of year, not letting anybody have the food, not even food banks is horrible. I walk-in full of food going to waste, not giving anybody severance, there earned PTO. Instead of slowly downsizing they expanded to open Salem, just to call it quits is a horrible nightmare. I hope to find a company in newport that will appreciate my Management experience, work ethic, and love for this awesome community.
It’s a sad day seeing all these brewing companies going under. I personally blame cans and weird craft beers. Or the fact that I’ve read millennial kids dont drink. If they dont then who were they making pumpkin whiskey barrel chocolate chip fluffernutter in a can for? That’s a fake beer obviously but I’ve seen some scratching my head thinking wtf is wrong with a normal old mosaic cacade simcoa hops IPA or IPL? I barely see that anymore unless its the same old same old that I really hate because its in a can!
100% agreed about going to cans. Gross. Penny wise, pound foolish.
I was very disappointed to hear this. This may be an opportunity for some Rogue folks and others in the Newport community to pool some resources and start another brewery of their own. Like a Phoenix from the ashes. Personally the Hazelnut Brown Nectar was one of my Rogue favorites. I’ll miss it for sure. Wishing for the best for the Rogue employees. Thank you for the great times and great beer.
Rogue went downhill starting in 2007. We used to go in for lunch during boat work and get French dips. One day they were huge and fairly priced next day they were half the size and $2 more. Was a fun place when they had poker room; me and all my buddies hung out there every weekend. After food went up and portions cut in half we all quit going. Last time I spent a penny in rogue was 2007; about a year before that the bartenders catered to the tourists instead of us locals. I’m glad its gone. The Bayfront is a fisherman’s place. Good riddance to all the bars and restaurants that put tourists first.
This is sad. I lived in Issaquah for a while and the Rogue Brewery on the corner of Front Street was the happening place to go for great food and beer. Then, all of a sudden around 2019, it just shut down. It was always a bit pricier, but Issaquah is known for pricy stores, but it was a sign of things to come I guess.