Oregon craft brewer does things its own way GOING ROGUE
by: Brian Fry
I had a chance to visit Oregon back in March, mostly to tour and taste the wines of the Willamette Valley (see The Vindicator March 25 edition). As I was planning my trip, I knew there was one place I had to visit outside of the world of wine.
Rogue Brewery is nestled in the fishing town of Newport, about two hours south of Portland. The drive is amazing and majestic as you hug the Oregon coast and enjoy spectacular views along the way. They have been making outstanding craft beer here for almost 30 years.
Rogue is truly one of the forefathers of the craft beer revolution. Perhaps their contribution may be slightly lost on Valley beer lovers due to the distance, but I remember seeing Rogue’s flagship beer, Dead Guy Ale, in local bars in the early 1990s.
I was hosted by Jim Cline, Rogue’s director of beer sales, in the company pub upstairs from the brewery. The pub has an impressive list of 40 Rogue beers on tap at all times.
Cline has been in Newport with Rogue since 1989 and he traveled the country promoting Rogue. Not many people gave it a chance when the company first started. That did not deter the brewery. “If somebody says you can’t do it, we’ll do all we can to find a way to do it,” said Cline.
His statement reflects the overall philosophy of the Rogue Nation, the company’s avid fan club that boasts more than 260,000 members in all 50 states and around the world. Rogue’s fans are a little more devoted than the average beer club and a whole lot more knowledgeable and passionate about their beer.
“Once we get a concept, we may not know exactly where it is going, but we believe if the concept is right then the rest will take care of itself,” said Cline. “If an MBA ran this business, he would have put a bullet in our head a long time ago.”
Despite all the unconventionality (or perhaps as a result of it), Rogue’s business has grown considerably over the last two decades. It has launched two new initiatives in the last five years: Rogue Farms and Rogue Spirits. Both have been successful so far.
Rogue Farms is designed to grow the ingredients Rogue needs for its beers and ales. It entails a farm complex in the shadow of Mount Hood where barley is grown. Another larger farm closer to Newport grows the hops, pumpkins, peppers and other key ingredients.
Rogue Farms also has its own dedicated line of beers that are incredibly fresh and flavorful.
I also had a chance to tour the Rogue Spirits distillery and taste some of the hand crafted products. While I don’t claim to be an expert on the stuff, I was impressed by the overall quality and flavor.
Cline explains why Rogue ventured outside of their traditional business model. “It’s an easy transition for us,” he said. “To make spirits, you need lots and lots of mash. A brewery literally has tons and tons of mash sitting around all the time. It works out great on both ends.”
Cline and my personal tour guide, Derek “The Milkman” Johnson, shared with me an incredible tasting of 15 Rogue ales during my visit.
Here’s a few highlights of some that are readily available in our Valley:
Rogue Dead Guy Ale: The aforementioned flagship beer is a craft brew classic made in the German Maibock style with toasty malt aromas and a medium-full bodied texture with a slightly spicy hop finish.
Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale: Brewed using ingredients grown on the company’s farms, and that freshness really comes through. A great fall seasonal choice that will pair well with spicy pork or chicken and works great with desserts.
Rogue Farms Good Chit Pilsner: Mellow enough for those who typically drink domestic beers, but you can taste the terroir of the Rogue Farms barley, malt and Liberty Hops that give it a much richer flavor than most.
Rogue Farms Chipotle Ale: Deep amber in color with a rich, malty aroma, delicately spiced with jalapeno peppers to give it a little extra kick on the finish.
The heat from the peppers is not overpowering, but you can feel it in the back of your throat.
Rogue is widely available in the Mahoning Valley, including many local grocery stores. The Dead Guy Ale comes in a limited edition, glow in the dark bottle, which is great for Halloween parties.
about VALLEY VINO
Contact Brian at brian.fry@myvalleyvino.com or by visiting www.myvalleyvino.com.
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