The sudden closure of Fifth Frame Brewing in left many in Rochester shocked and seeking answers. What appeared to be an abrupt shutdown was, in reality, the final act in a long drama of financial distress. The brewery’s farewell message spoke of heavy hearts and an unavoidable choice but the full story was far more complex.

Behind the scenes, a web of financial disputes, legal battles, and unpaid obligations had been growing for years. From landlord disputes to unpaid suppliers and tax liabilities, the challenges were extensive. Court records and state filings now reveal a total of over $444,000 in claims and judgments, painting a picture of a business struggling to stay afloat.

The Financial Pressures Mounting Against Fifth Frame

The financial pressures on Fifth Frame Brewing were not confined to the months leading up to its closure. The landlord’s lawsuit traced unpaid rent back to 2026, and Crosby Hop Farm’s claims involved hops delivered in 2026 and 2026. By the time the brewery announced its closure, multiple creditors were already pursuing the company.

The quantified claims and judgments against Fifth Frame include:

  • Five Star Bank$169,528 claimed, plus interest
  • REO Holdings$140,533 claimed, plus disputed future lease damages
  • American Express$18,205 claimed
  • Crosby Hop Farm$32,046 judgment
  • New York Workers’ Compensation Board$84,000 default judgment

These figures do not represent the final accounting of Fifth Frame’s debts, as several remain disputed in court.

The Five Star Bank Loan and Personal Guarantees

At the heart of Fifth Frame’s financial troubles was a loan from Five Star Bank secured in March 2017 with the help of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan, initially $591,200 was personally guaranteed by co-founders Jon Mervine, Wade Reed, and Jarred Foster. The bank alleges that Fifth Frame defaulted after missing its payment, demanding immediate repayment of $169,528 plus accruing interest.

Foster, who left Fifth Frame in August 2019, argues that Five Star Bank knew of his departure and began the process of removing him as a guarantor in. However, the release never materialized, leaving Foster personally liable for the loan despite his lack of involvement in the brewery’s operations since his departure. Foster is seeking to prevent Five Star from enforcing his guarantee under the doctrine of equitable estoppel.

Other Legal Battles and Financial Obligations

The landlord, REO Holdings 155 LLC filed a lawsuit in seeking $140,533 in unpaid rent, late charges, and disputed equipment costs. The landlord also alleges that Fifth Frame removed approximately $27,500 worth of fixtures and kitchen equipment when vacating the property. Mervine and Fifth Frame have disputed these claims, asserting defenses including failure to mitigate damages and unclean hands.

American Express sued Fifth Frame and Mervine personally in January, alleging a default on a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card account. The balance had grown to $18,205 by the time the lawsuit was filed. Mervine denied the default, arguing that payments had not been properly credited and that service may have been defective.

The case against Crosby Hop Farm resulted in a $32,046 judgment, including principal, interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs. Unlike other lawsuits, Fifth Frame never answered this lawsuit, allowing the judgment to be entered by default.

The brewery also faced a $60,834 sales tax warrant from the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, although nearly all of this amount has since been paid. Additionally, the New York Workers’ Compensation Board entered an $84,000 default judgment against Fifth Frame for failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance from April 30, 2026, through June 23, 2026.

The Hidden Ownership Structure

The ownership structure of Fifth Frame Brewing was more complex than initially known. Court filings revealed that Mervine, Reed, and Foster were not the only owners. Minority investors also held membership interests, although their identities remain undisclosed in the court filings. The operating agreement outlined the members’ ownership interests, contributions, and roles when the brewery launched.

Foster’s departure in August 2019 and Reed’s earlier departure left them both as personal guarantors on the SBA-backed loan. Foster’s dispute with Five Star centers on whether he should still be responsible for the loan, given his lack of involvement in the brewery’s operations since his departure.

The full picture of Fifth Frame’s finances may never be known from public records alone. However, the available records show that the brewery’s closure was the result of years of accumulating obligations and financial struggles. What looked like an abrupt shutdown was, in reality, the final chapter of a long and complex financial unraveling.