Summit Brewing faces foreclosure lawsuit but says operations will continue
BMO Bank is seeking more than $8 million and foreclosure-related relief from Summit Brewing. The St. Paul brewery says it remains open during the case.
Summit Brewing Company is facing a foreclosure lawsuit from BMO Bank, which is seeking more than $8 million in allegedly unpaid debt and asking a court to appoint a receiver. Summit has not announced a closure. The St. Paul brewery says day-to-day operations will continue while the case proceeds.
What the lender alleges
MPR News reported that BMO alleges Summit missed a loan payment deadline at the end of 2025. The bank then agreed to hold off collection during a forbearance period that ran through July 31, 2026.
According to the complaint as described by MPR, the bank says Summit indicated in June that it could not repay the loan and that its financial flexibility was deteriorating. Those statements are allegations in an active civil case, not final findings by a court.
The lender is seeking foreclosure-related relief and the appointment of a receiver. A receiver can be authorized by a court to take control of property or operations while a dispute is resolved. The exact authority would depend on the court's order.
What Summit says
Summit CEO Brandon Bland told MPR that the brewery would continue normal day-to-day operations during the proceedings. He said company leaders and outside advisers had spent months looking for another path but did not reach a resolution with BMO. Summit said it would continue evaluating its options.
Axios Twin Cities later reported that founder and controlling owner Mark Stutrud disputed the lender's portrayal of the situation, said the brewery was current on payments, and expressed confidence that Summit would survive. BMO's complaint and Summit's response present a contested picture that the court has not resolved.
Is Summit Brewing closing?
No closure has been announced. The brewery was operating while the lawsuit moved forward, according to the reporting reviewed for this article. A lawsuit seeking foreclosure creates serious risk, but it is not the same as a completed foreclosure or a closing notice.
No hearing had been scheduled when MPR published its September 14 report. Because court cases and financing discussions can change quickly, readers should check Summit's official channels and current local reporting for developments.
Why the distinction matters
News about debt can spread faster than the legal details. Saying Summit “closed” would be false based on the available record. Saying the bank has already taken the brewery would also overstate the case. The accurate description is that BMO filed a lawsuit, Summit disputes parts of the lender's framing, and the brewery says it remains open.
For a confirmed closing with a stated final date, see our report on Troy City Brewing & Distilling.
Related questions
Is Summit Brewing closed?
No. Summit said day-to-day operations would continue during the foreclosure proceedings.
How much does BMO say Summit owes?
The lender is seeking more than $8 million, according to MPR News. The amount is part of BMO's allegations in the lawsuit.
Has Summit Brewing been foreclosed on?
The reporting reviewed describes an active lawsuit seeking foreclosure-related relief, not a completed foreclosure.
