BY WILLIAM DEAN
For North Coast breweries, the events of 2025 form a cautionary tale.
When Newport-based Rogue Ales & Spirits abruptly closed in November, shuttering its Astoria brewpub along with everything else, a shiver passed through Oregon. Was the craft beer market showing signs of serious decline?
After news reports revealed the extent of Rogue’s mismanagement and massive debt, brewers breathed a little easier.
Industry experts seemed to agree: While overall beer sales declined last year, breweries that pay attention to their bottom line and don’t overreach can still thrive. Even grow.
With Rogue being the exception, the coastal beer scene showed resiliency in the face of market pressures.
Seaside-based Sisu Brewing began building a second brewery in downtown Astoria. Warrenton’s first brewery opened its doors. Pelican Brewing opened another pub with an ocean view. And Astoria’s Fort George Brewery added a beer festival.
Here’s a look back at the good and bad of 2025:
Cheers! Warrenton finally has a craft brewery to call its own. Battery 245 Brewing, located just off the city marina, opened in November with a spacious taproom/bar and full-service restaurant.
Cheers! Sisu’s plans to build a major brewery in the former Astoria Food Hub building shifted into gear. Fermenting tanks were installed in fall, with brewing and canning possible later this year.
Tears! One of Oregon brewing’s brightest stars,Rogue shut down completely without warning. The brewpub on Pier 39, an Astoria beer oasis since 2007, was one of the casualties.
Cheers! Fort George produced a record seven fresh-hop beers during the autumn harvest, the most of any North Coast brewery.
Cheers! Ilwaco Cider Co., which celebrated its first anniversary last summer, is adding tanks to keep up with rising demand for artisanal cider.
Tears! For the first time, more craft breweries closed than opened statewide, according to the Oregon Brewers Guild.
Cheers! Several North Coast breweries diversified their offerings by expanding into craft soda. Cannon Beach-based Public Coast Brewing, Sisu and Pelican reported brisk sales.
Tears! Last summer, Rogue and Portland-based McMenamins became the first breweries in Oregon to start making THC-infused seltzers, only to be blindsided by Congress. A provision that allowed hemp-derived THC beverages was quietly excised. A reversal is still possible, however.
Tears! U.S.tariffs on Canadian and European imports, including aluminum cans, malted barley and hops, added to the rising costs facing American breweries.
Cheers! Buoy Beer’s first annual Sea Lion Calling Contest, held last July in downtown Astoria, was absolutely hilarious. Bring the all-ages competition back this year, please.
Cheers! Pacific City-based Pelican opened a new brewpub – it’s fourth – in Rockaway Beach.
Cheers! Steeplejack Brewing out of Portland announced plans to open a family-friendly brewpub in Manzanita this spring. Following a local outcry, the project was scaled back and moved to an existing building zoned commercial.
Cheers! In December, Fort George hosted a unique holiday-themed festival. The first annual Beer Tree Fest celebrated beer made from tree parts. More than a dozen Northwest breweries offered their brews. Who knew it could be so delicious?
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WILLIAM DEAN is an author who also writes about craft beer and the people who make it. His blog is Astoria Beer Zone. “The Have-Nots,” his latest novel, is available now.
