8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 21, 2015

MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-22524	68-0318293
(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)
1601 Airport Road, Ukiah, California	95482
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(707) 463-2087

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Effective January 21, 2015, Mendocino Brewing Company, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), Releta Brewing Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RBC”, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”) and MB Financial Bank, N.A., successor in interest to Cole Taylor Bank (“Lender”) entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Credit and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) dated June 23, 2011, as previously amended on March 29, 2013.

The Agreement provides the Borrowers a credit facility, secured by the personal property of the Company and RBC, and the Company’s Ukiah, California facility, among other items of the Borrowers’ property. The credit facility matures on June 23, 2016. Prior to the Second Amendment, the credit facility consisted of a $4,119,000 revolving facility (the “Revolver”), a $1,934,000 machinery and equipment term loan, a $2,947,000 real estate term loan and a $1,000,000 capital expenditure line of credit.

The Second Amendment reduces the maximum amount of the Revolver from $4,119,000 to $2,500,000. The Second Amendment also changes the definition of borrowing base (including by lowering certain advance rates) such that the calculation of the borrowing base will result in a lower number than it would have if calculated prior to the effectiveness of the Second Amendment. The borrowing base is used in the determination of the amount available to each Borrower pursuant to the Revolver. Pursuant to the Agreement, if such availability is less than $0, or if certain components of the borrowing base fall below certain limits in relation to outstanding revolving loans, such difference shall be immediately due and payable.

The Second Amendment also confirms the continuance of certain events of default under the Agreement. The Borrowers have previously received notices from the Lender regarding the exercise of rights related to events of default on September 18, 2013 , April 18, 2014 and August 18, 2014, as described in current reports on Form 8-K of the Company filed on September 24, 2013, April 24, 2014 and August 22, 2014, respectively. As previously disclosed in the Company’s current reports on Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2013, September 24, 2013, April 24, 2014 and August 22, 2014, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2013, November 14, 2013, August 14, 2014 and November 11, 2014, and annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2014 (which are incorporated by reference herein to the extent they refer to the Agreement), the Borrowers have been in default under certain provisions of the Agreement.

The covenants made by the Borrowers pursuant to the Agreement include requirements that the Borrowers maintain certain financial metrics. As stated in the Second Amendment, the Borrowers have continued to be in default on the fixed charge coverage ratio for each measurement period beginning March 31, 2013 through November 30, 2014. The fixed charge coverage ratio was initially required to be at least 1.05 to 1.00, but as of July 31, 2013, the fixed charge coverage ratio was increased to 1.10 to 1.00. On November 30, 2014, the fixed charge coverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period was -0.49 to 1.00.

The Second Amendment also states that the tangible net worth of the Borrowers has continued to fall short of the required amount as measured through November 30, 2014. The Company calculates the required tangible net worth of the Borrowers to be $6,181,400 as of November 30, 2014 and the actual tangible net worth on such date to be $4,923,600. The Company does not anticipate that the Borrowers will be able to regain compliance with the required fixed charge coverage ratio or the minimum tangible net worth in the near future.

The Second Amendment states that the Lender, beginning February 20, 2015, will exercise its right to reduce the advance rate for (i) eligible finished goods and raw material inventory and (ii) eligible work-in progress inventory by two percent (2%) and will continue to reduce each by an additional two percent (2%) on the 20th day of each month thereafter. The advance rates are used in the calculation of the borrowing base of each Borrower, which is used in the determination of the amount available to each Borrower pursuant to the Revolver. As stated above, if such availability is less than $0, or if certain components of the borrowing base fall below certain limits in relation to outstanding revolving loans, such difference shall be immediately due and payable.

The Lender has not waived the events of default described in the Default Notices or the Second Amendment and has reserved the right to all available rights and remedies. The Lender could declare the full amount owed under the Agreement due and payable at any time for any reason or no reason. As stated in the Second Amendment, the Lender continues to charge a default interest rate equal to two percent (2%) per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable under the Agreement. If the Lender exercises additional remedies, such exercise may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the Company’s ability to continue to operate. If it becomes necessary for the Borrowers to seek additional financing, there is no guarantee that the Borrowers will be able to obtain such financing on terms favorable to the Company or on any terms.

The foregoing is not intended to be a complete description of the Second Amendment and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Second Amendment which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.

Item 2.04 Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement.

See Item 1.01 above.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: January 27, 2015	/s/ Mahadevan Narayanan
	Mahadevan Narayanan
	Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary

EX-10.1

SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Second Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement (this “Amendment”) is made effective as of the 21 of January, 2015, by and among MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A., successor in interest to Cole Taylor Bank (“Lender”), MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC., a California corporation (“MBC”), and RELETA BREWING COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RBC”; RBC and MBC are collectively referred to as “Borrowers” and, individually, as a “Borrower”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

A. Borrowers and Lender have entered into that certain Credit and Security Agreement dated as of June 23, 2011 (as amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

B. As of the date hereof, Events of Default under Section 13.01(b) of the Credit Agreement have occurred and are continuing, including, without limitation, the failure to comply with the Tangible Net Worth covenant contained in Section 12.01 of the Credit Agreement and the failure to comply with the Fixed Charge Coverage covenant contained in Section 12.02 of the Credit Agreement, each as of the dates set forth in certain reservation of rights letters dated September 17, 2013, April 15, 2014 and August 15, 2014, respectively, delivered by Lender to Borrowers.

C. Borrowers have requested that Lender agree to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, and Lender has agreed to amend the Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and such other consideration as the parties mutually agree, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Preliminary Statements. The preliminary statements set forth above are accurate, represent the intent of the parties hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined in this Amendment, capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning in this Amendment as set forth in the Credit Agreement.

2. Amendments to Credit Agreement.

(a) Definition of “Borrowing Base” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

‘“Borrowing Base’ means, at any time, with respect to each Borrower:

Subject to change from time to time in the Lender’s sole discretion, the sum of:

(i) eighty-five percent (85%) of such Borrower’s Eligible Accounts; plus

(ii) the lesser of (A) fifty percent (50%) of the lower of cost or market value of such Borrower’s Eligible Finished Goods And Raw Material Inventory, or (B) Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($950,000), which amount shall be reduced by two percent (2%) beginning on February 20, 2015 and continuing on the 20th day of each month thereafter; plus

(iii) the lesser of (A) thirty percent (30%) of Eligible Work-in-Progress Inventory, or (B) Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($250,000); minus

(iv) the Hedging Obligation Reserve; less

(v) the Availability Reserve.”

(b) The definition of “Maximum Revolving Loan Limit” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“‘Maximum Revolving Loan Limit’ means $2,500,000.”

3. Reduction of Advance Rates. As a result of the Existing Defaults (as defined below) and without limiting any other default rights or remedies, Lender advises Borrowers that the advance rate for Eligible Finished Goods And Raw Material Inventory and Eligible Work-in Progress Inventory will each be reduced by two percent (2.0%) beginning February 20, 2015 and will continue to be reduced by an additional two percent (2.0%) on the 20th day of each month thereafter.

4. Default Rate. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that Lender may continue to charge interest at the Default Rate pursuant to Sections 4.02 and 13.02(e) of the Credit Agreement.

5. Reservation of Rights; No Waiver. Borrowers have informed Lender that the following Events of Default under the Credit Agreement have occurred and are continuing on the date hereof (collectively, the “Existing Defaults”): failure to comply with (a) the Tangible Net Worth covenant contained in Section 12.01 of the Credit Agreement for each measurement period beginning June 1, 2013 through November 30, 2014 and (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage covenant contained in Section 12.02 of the Credit Agreement for each measurement period beginning March 31, 2013 through November 30, 2014. As a result of the Existing Defaults, Lender is permitted to exercise its default rights and remedies as provided in the Credit Agreement without further notice or demand. Neither the entering into this Amendment nor the making of additional advances by Lender waives of any of the default rights and remedies of Lender under Section 13.02 of the Credit Agreement. All default rights and remedies of Lender are therefore reserved.

6. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of this Amendment. The following are conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Amendment, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary:

(a) Lender shall have received a fully executed copy of this Amendment in form and substance satisfactory to Lender; and

(b) Lender shall have received payment by Borrowers to Lender of all other amounts owed to Lender in connection with this Amendment.

7. Expenses. Immediately upon request, Borrowers shall pay all reasonable expenses and costs of Lender (including, without limitation, the reasonable attorney fees of counsel for Lender and reasonable expenses of counsel for Lender) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and approval of this Amendment and any and all other documents, instruments and things contemplated hereby, whether or not such transactions are consummated, together with all other reasonable expenses and costs incurred by Lender chargeable to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement which are unpaid at such time.

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8. Ratification; Estoppel; Reaffirmation.

(a) Each Borrower reaffirms the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, and ratifies the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as amended, modified, and supplemented.

(b) Each Borrower reaffirms to Lender each of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in Sections 9 through 12 of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the same force and effect as if each were separately stated herein and made as of the date hereof to Lender.

(c) Each Borrower further represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof, there are no counterclaims, defenses or offsets of any nature whatsoever to the Loans or any of the Loan Documents and that, as of the date hereof, no Event of Default has occurred or exists under any of the Loan Documents.

(d) Each Borrower ratifies, affirms and agrees that the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, as amended, modified, and supplemented hereby by this Amendment, represent the valid, enforceable and collectible obligations of Borrower.

9. Release. Each Borrower does hereby release, remise, acquit and forever discharge Lender and Lender’s employees, agents, representatives, consultants, attorneys, fiduciaries, servants, officers, directors, partners, predecessors, successors and assigns, subsidiary corporations, parent corporation, and related corporate divisions (all of the foregoing hereinafter called the “Released Parties”), from any and all action and causes of action, judgments, executions, suits, debts, claims, demands, liabilities, obligations, damages and expenses of any and every character, known or unknown, direct and/or indirect, at law or in equity, of whatsoever kind or nature, whether heretofore or hereafter arising, for or because of any matter or things done, omitted or suffered to be done by any of the Released Parties prior to and including the date of execution hereof, and in any way directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected to this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (all of the foregoing hereinafter called the “Released Matters”). Each Borrower acknowledges that the agreements in this paragraph are intended to be in full satisfaction of all or any alleged injuries or damages arising in connection with the Released Matters. Each Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that it has not purported to transfer, assign or otherwise convey any right, title or interest of such Borrower in any Released Matter to any other Person and that the foregoing constitutes a full and complete release of all Released Matters.

EACH BORROWER INTENDS THE ABOVE RELEASE TO COVER, ENCOMPASS, RELEASE, AND EXTINGUISH, INTER ALIA, ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE RESERVED BY THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, (OR ITS EQUIVALENT UNDER ILLINOIS LAW) WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”

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EACH BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT MAY HEREAFTER DISCOVER FACTS DIFFERENT FROM OR IN ADDITION TO THOSE NOW KNOWN OR BELIEVED TO BE TRUE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION, AND AGREES THAT THIS AMENDMENT AND THE ABOVE RELEASE ARE AND WILL REMAIN EFFECTIVE IN ALL RESPECTS NOTWITHSTANDING ANY SUCH DIFFERENCES OR ADDITIONAL FACTS

10. No Cancellation. This Amendment evidences the same indebtedness as evidenced by the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents (as modified hereby). This Amendment is secured by the Collateral as provided in the Credit Agreement including all amendments and modifications thereto. This Amendment is an extension, modification and amendment of the prior documents and the execution hereof does not evidence a cancellation of the indebtedness evidenced by the prior documents.

11. Miscellaneous.

(a) No inference in favor of, or against, any party will be drawn from the fact that such party has drafted any portion of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document, as each may be amended.

(b) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all of which counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf’ or “tiff’) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party who chooses to deliver its signature in such manner agrees to provide promptly to the other parties a copy of this Amendment with its inked signature, but the party’s failure to deliver a copy of this Amendment with its inked signature shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Amendment.

(c) This Amendment shall be governed and controlled by the internal laws of the State of Illinois as to interpretation, enforcement, validity, construction, effect, and in all other respects.

(d) This Amendment will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective successors and assigns.

(e) Sections 16.03 and 16.09 of the Credit Agreement are specifically incorporated herein as though set forth in full.

(f) This Amendment is a Loan Document.

[signature page to follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

LENDER
MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A.
By:	/s/ Martha Gaskin
Name:	Martha Gaskin
Title:	Senior Vice President
BORROWERS
MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC.,
a California corporation
By:	/s/ Mahadevan Narayanan
Name:	Mahadevan Narayanan
Title:	Chief Financial Officer
RELETA BREWING COMPANY LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:	MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY,
	a California corporation,
	its sole member
By:	/s/ Mahadevan Narayanan
Name:	Mahadevan Narayanan
Title:	Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Second Amendment - Mendocino Brewing Company