Claim 52 Brewing to open Newport Bayfront brewpub, offering smoothie-style beers

Claim 52 Brewing will occupy the former Rogue Bayfront Public House at 748 SW Bay Blvd. in Newport and hopes to open a brewpub on the bayfront in the spring, with the owner, Jeremiah Marsden, targeting an early May opening and plans to preserve the building’s brewing legacy. Marsden said, "Beyond the history of the building that we want to keep and maintain, and keep the craft brewing culture alive on the coast, it gives us a chance to establish ourselves there more," and added, "I think the people of the coast are pretty excited about the news."

The Eugene-based brewery, founded as a nano operation in 2012 and known locally for beers such as Fluffy IPA and its fruited "Stuffed" and "Thicc" smoothie-sour series, moved into a larger Lincoln Street facility in Eugene in 2025 to expand brewing capacity. General manager Jeremy Zollman and brewers Aaron Brussat and Breann Goulette are listed as part of Claim 52’s leadership and brewing staff; Zollman reflected on the site’s history, saying, "When I first began my journey as a craft beer fan/obsessive/fanatic/whatever you want to call it, Rogue was my favorite brewery by far because what [former Rogue brewmaster] John Maier was doing, I think, truly embodied the spirit of craft beer better than pretty much any other brewery."

The Bay Blvd. building is historically significant in Oregon craft beer: it is the location where Rogue Ales set up shop when the company relocated to Newport in 1989 and is described as the oldest Rogue pub and the first place John Maier brewed Rogue beer in Newport. Rogue abruptly closed its locations and shuttered brewing and distilling operations prior to declaring bankruptcy, and the Bayfront Public House closed in November; Claim 52’s move brings a new operator into that landmark space.

Operational plans for the Newport site include minor renovations, conversations with prospective hires including former Rogue employees, and a mural similar to the one at Claim 52’s Eugene location. Marsden has said he does not plan to brew on the coast and framed the expansion as a way to "keep taps in its own bar," and he told local readers, "Obviously, where there's expansion, there's always worry about losing money or something happening, but I think Newport will be a great place for us," adding, "With Rogue closing, I think the people there will really want some craft beer."

Industry reporting also describes a potential on-site build-out, noting an in-the-works installation of a 10 barrel brewhouse and a kitchen partnership with Seasoned at the new location, which would create "tons of space for expansion." Those operational details differ from the owner's stated intent not to brew on the coast, and they will determine whether Claim 52 delivers Newport-brewed beers or taps sourced from its Lincoln Street brewery.

Claim 52 plans to rename the space Claim 52 Brewing Bayfront, carry its smoothie-style sour lines to Newport, and open the taproom in the spring, preserving a corner of Oregon brewing history on the bay and aiming to reestablish craft taps for visitors and residents along Bay Boulevard.