Background
Rogue Ales was founded in Ashland, Oregon in 1988 by three Nike, Inc. executives: Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell (who were past University of Oregon fraternity brothers) and friend Rob Strasser. Construction began in June 1988 in Ashland along the Lithia Creek. The 10 bbl brew system was set up in the basement with a 60-seat Pub above. The Brewery and Pub opened in October 1988 to moderate success and soon, the company started looking to expand.
In early February 1989, one of Rogue’s founders wandered to Newport in search of the perfect place for another Rogue pub. A terrible and unusual snowstorm struck and Jack was stranded in Newport along its Historic Bay Front. He walked the streets and happened upon Mohava Niemi, founder of Mo’s Restaurants. Mo extended her signature hospitality, welcoming him to the city with a her famous clam chowder. Over a bowl, Mo shared her dream of living above a bar and described the perfect spot for the next Rogue Ales Brew Pub. Part off the deal was an apartment over the brewery for Mo.
A short three months later, in May of 1989, John Maier joined Rogue. A Seibel Institute graduate, John’s career prior to brewing for Rogue was engineering. He was a Senior Technician with Hughes Aircraft Co. in El Segundo, CA. for over a decade.
Rogue Spirits was launched in Portland 2003. The distillery was the first rum distillery in Oregon and has since relocated to the Rogue World Headquarters in Newport, Oregon.
Jack Joyce, who co-founded Rogue Ales, died Tuesday at the age of 71.
In October 2018, the company announced that Brett Joyce, president of Rogue Ales & Spirits for 13 years, would be stepping down at the end of the year. Dharma Tamm succeeded him as president on January 1, 2019.
Rogue Farms
Rogue has grown their own hops, barley, rye, pumpkins, honey, hot peppers, and other ingredients in Independence, Oregon since 2008. They also have honeybees, prickless marionberries, and cucumbers.
Rolling Thunder Barrel Works
In 2015, Rogue acquired vintage French WWII-era coopering equipment and built Rolling Thunder Barrel Works (RTBW). Nate Linquist was tapped to be Rogue’s first cooper.
Experience
Rogue Ales Public House is one of our favs. The public house in Newport is the second Rogue brewpub. Early afternoon was still quite busy. Got seats at the bar and were greeted with tasters of their new Juniper Ale. Started with a flight of Brutal IPA, 7 Hop IPA, Soba buckwheat & Smoke Hopbomb, all excellent. Next tried the Marrionberry Braggot, a mixture of mead and ale and another Brutal. Chowed on the mixed seafood ceviche, crab, shrimp & scallops – delicious. Fun patrons, great barkeep and excellent beer. Had to leave with a couple bottles of IPAs.
This location of Rogue Ales is in a beautiful bayfront area with plenty of shops, restaurants, sea lions and views. We stayed up the road at Little Creek Cove. Beautiful, but not walkable.
http://www.rogue.com/roguebeers/
