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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 6, 1998
FREDERICK BREWING CO.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MARYLAND
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
0-27800 52-1769647
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
4607 Wedgewood Boulevard, Frederick, Maryland 21703
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 694-7899
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Item 6. Resignation of a Director
Effective November 6, 1998, James Lutz resigned as a director of
Frederick Brewing Co. Mr. Lutz will continue to serve as the president and a
director of Wild Goose Brewery, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,
until his current employment agreement expires on January 28, 1999.
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 thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 20, 1998 FREDERICK BREWING CO.
By: /s/ Kevin E. Brannon
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Index of Exhibits
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Exhibit 17 - Memorandum of Jim Lutz, November 6, 1998
Exhibit 99.1 - Press Release, November 20, 1998
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TO: Frederick Brewing Company Board Members
FROM: Jim Lutz
DATE: November 6, 1998
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Let this memorandum serve as notification that effective immediately I resign
from my responsibilities as a member of the Frederick Brewing Company Board of
Directors.
Exhibit 99.1
FREDIRICK
[LOGO] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Andrea J. Keller
BREWING CO. November 20, 1998 Frederick Brewing Co.
301-694-7899 x120
FBC Announces Personnel Changes
Mid-Altantic's Largest Craft Brewer Takes Steps to Improve Financial
Performance
4 6 0 7 FREDERICK, MD -- Frederick Brewing Co. (NASDAQ: BLUE)
WEDGEWOOD announced today personnel changes that the specialty
BOULEVARD brewer says will streamline its sales and distribution
management and help reduce costs in 1999.
FREDERICK
MARYLAND The changes include the planned departures of Jim Lutz,
2 1 7 0 3 president of Frederick Brewing Co. (FBC) subsidiary,
Wild Goose Brewery, and Marc Tewey, president of FBC
P (888) 258-7434 subsidiary, Brimstone Brewing Co. Both will leave the
Company when their current contracts expire in January,
p (301) 694-7899 1999. FBC President and COO, Marjorie McGinnis, will
then serve as president of all Companies, and current
F (301) 694-2971 personnel will absorb the sales and marketing functions
of both subsidiaries. Jim Lutz also resigned from FBC's
www.fredbrew.com Board of Directors, effective November 6, 1998. Lutz had
been a director since the merger between the Wild Goose
Brewery and Frederick Brewing Co. in January of 1998.
"Jim and Marc have been excellent contributors to the
future of the Company," said Frederick Brewing Co.
Chairman and CEO Kevin Brannon, "helping us integrate
their brands into the Frederick Brewing Co. portfolio.
We will miss Jim's experience and Marc's energy."
Brannon said both men intend to pursue other career
interests outside the brewing industry.
Separately, the Company has also disclosed the departure
of Craig O'Connor, former director of new business
development, who resigned October 6, 1998. O'Connor had
served as FBC Vice President of Finance and
Administration, from 1994 -- 1997, until moving to his
most recent position in late 1997. His position, created
primarily to service new, outside markets, will not be
filled in the immediate future. Instead, existing
personnel will absorb O'Connor's responsibilities.
"Craig's hard work, loyalty, and unflagging optimism had
a lot do to with this Company's growth from 600 barrels
to 35,000 barrels," Brannon said. "We will all miss
him." O'Connor also intends to pursue career
opportunities outside the brewing industry.
FBC President Marjorie McGinnis noted, "These changes,
although painful, reflect our belief that these
top-heavy management positions had to be eliminated to
maintain competitiveness in the current market
environment. Together with additional overhead
reductions, these changes should ensure that we continue
the improvement in financial performance we've made in
the second half of 1998."
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