Boston Beer Company Announces CEO Transition
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) announced a significant leadership transition as CEO Michael Spillane will step down effective August 15, 2025, to focus on personal matters. Company founder and chairman Jim Koch will assume the CEO role, returning to a position he previously held from 1984 to 2001.
Spillane, who served as CEO for the past 18 months and has been a board member since 2014, will remain on the company's board as a non-executive director. Under his leadership, the company achieved one of its most profitable quarters in Q2 2025. Koch expressed confidence in the company's management team and strategic direction, emphasizing their commitment to delivering long-term shareholder value.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) ha annunciato un importante cambio nella leadership: il CEO Michael Spillane lascerà il suo incarico a partire dal 15 agosto 2025 per dedicarsi a questioni personali. Il fondatore e presidente dell'azienda, Jim Koch, assumerà nuovamente il ruolo di CEO, posizione che aveva già ricoperto dal 1984 al 2001.
Spillane, che è stato CEO negli ultimi 18 mesi e membro del consiglio dal 2014, rimarrà nel consiglio di amministrazione come direttore non esecutivo. Sotto la sua guida, l'azienda ha registrato uno dei trimestri più redditizi nel secondo trimestre del 2025. Koch ha espresso fiducia nel team di gestione e nella direzione strategica dell'azienda, sottolineando il loro impegno a creare valore duraturo per gli azionisti.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) anunció una importante transición en su liderazgo, ya que el CEO Michael Spillane dejará su cargo a partir del 15 de agosto de 2025 para enfocarse en asuntos personales. El fundador y presidente de la compañía, Jim Koch, asumirá nuevamente el rol de CEO, puesto que ocupó anteriormente desde 1984 hasta 2001.
Spillane, quien fue CEO durante los últimos 18 meses y miembro del consejo desde 2014, permanecerá en la junta como director no ejecutivo. Bajo su liderazgo, la empresa logró uno de sus trimestres más rentables en el segundo trimestre de 2025. Koch expresó confianza en el equipo directivo y en la dirección estratégica de la compañía, enfatizando su compromiso con la generación de valor a largo plazo para los accionistas.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM)는 CEO 마이클 스필레인이 개인적인 사유로 2025년 8월 15일부로 사임한다고 발표했습니다. 회사의 창립자이자 회장인 짐 코흐가 이전에 1984년부터 2001년까지 맡았던 CEO 직책을 다시 맡게 됩니다.
지난 18개월간 CEO를 역임하고 2014년부터 이사회 멤버였던 스필레인은 비상임 이사로서 이사회에 남아 있을 예정입니다. 그의 리더십 아래 회사는 2025년 2분기에 가장 수익성 높은 분기 중 하나를 달성했습니다. 코흐는 회사 경영진과 전략 방향에 대한 신뢰를 표현하며, 장기적인 주주 가치를 창출하겠다는 의지를 강조했습니다.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) a annoncé une transition importante dans sa direction : le PDG Michael Spillane quittera ses fonctions à compter du 15 août 2025 pour se consacrer à des raisons personnelles. Le fondateur et président du conseil d'administration, Jim Koch, reprendra le poste de PDG, qu'il avait déjà occupé de 1984 à 2001.
Spillane, qui a été PDG pendant les 18 derniers mois et membre du conseil depuis 2014, restera au conseil d'administration en tant qu'administrateur non exécutif. Sous sa direction, l'entreprise a réalisé l'un de ses trimestres les plus rentables au deuxième trimestre 2025. Koch a exprimé sa confiance dans l'équipe de direction et la stratégie de l'entreprise, soulignant leur engagement à créer une valeur durable pour les actionnaires.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) gab eine bedeutende Führungsänderung bekannt: CEO Michael Spillane wird zum 15. August 2025 zurücktreten, um sich persönlichen Angelegenheiten zu widmen. Firmengründer und Vorstandsvorsitzender Jim Koch wird die Position des CEO wieder übernehmen, die er bereits von 1984 bis 2001 innehatte.
Spillane, der in den letzten 18 Monaten CEO war und seit 2014 im Vorstand sitzt, bleibt dem Unternehmen als nicht geschäftsführendes Vorstandsmitglied erhalten. Unter seiner Führung erzielte das Unternehmen im zweiten Quartal 2025 eines seiner profitabelsten Quartale. Koch zeigte sich zuversichtlich in das Managementteam und die strategische Ausrichtung des Unternehmens und betonte deren Engagement für die langfristige Wertschöpfung für die Aktionäre.
- Strong Q2 2025 performance with one of the most profitable quarters in company history
- Continuity in leadership with founder Jim Koch returning as CEO
- Retention of Michael Spillane's expertise through continued board membership
- Unexpected CEO departure after only 18 months in the role
- Potential disruption in strategic initiatives due to leadership change
Insights
Boston Beer's CEO change represents a return to founder leadership during a period of strong performance, potentially ensuring strategic continuity.
Boston Beer Company's announcement of a CEO transition marks a significant leadership change with founder Jim Koch returning to the CEO position he previously held from 1984 to 2001. Current CEO Michael Spillane is stepping down after approximately 18 months in the role, citing personal matters, but will remain on the board where he has served since 2014.
This transition comes at an interesting juncture for Boston Beer. Spillane's brief tenure appears to have been successful, with Koch specifically highlighting "one of our most profitable quarters in many years" in Q2 under Spillane's leadership. This suggests the company is in a position of financial strength rather than distress.
Koch's return to the CEO role represents a rare case of a founder stepping back into operational leadership after more than two decades. While founder returns sometimes signal crisis situations requiring stabilization, the positive financial performance mentioned suggests this is more about ensuring continuity of strategy and leadership vision.
The timing and orderly nature of this transition, along with Spillane maintaining his board seat, indicates this is likely a planned succession rather than a forced departure. The company appears to be prioritizing leadership continuity by reinstating its founder during what Koch describes as "a dynamic time for our industry."
For stakeholders, this change likely represents minimal disruption to Boston Beer's strategic direction, given Koch's continuous involvement as chairman since 1984 and his foundational role in shaping the company's identity and culture in the craft beverage market.
Founder, Brewer and Chairman of the Board Jim Koch to assume CEO role; Michael Spillane to remain on board of directors
Boston, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) today announced a leadership change effective August 15, 2025. Michael Spillane has decided to step down as CEO to focus on important personal matters. He will remain on the company’s board of directors, on which he has served since 2014, now in the capacity of a non-executive director.
Jim Koch, Boston Beer founder, brewer and chairman of the board, will assume the role of CEO. Koch was previously CEO of Boston Beer from its founding in 1984 until January 2001 and has remained chairman since 1984.
“Michael has been with Boston Beer for nearly 10 years, first as a board member and most recently as CEO for the past year and a half,” said Koch. “He’s given us a steady leadership hand during a dynamic time for our industry, and under his guidance, we delivered one of our most profitable quarters in many years in the second quarter. I appreciate everything Michael has done for us, and we're thrilled he’s going to continue to help shape our strategy as a member of our board of directors. I am confident in the strength of our management team and Boston Beer’s strategic direction and remain committed to delivering long-term value for shareholders.”
“After careful reflection, I’ve decided to take a step back to focus on some important personal matters,” said Spillane. “Since joining Boston Beer, I’ve seen the company revolutionize the craft beer and flavored malt beverage categories. It’s an amazing company with a great future and I look forward to contributing to its success from my seat on the board. I’d like to thank Jim, the board, the executive team, and all of Boston Beer’s coworkers for their friendship and support.”
About the Company
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected craft brewers in the United States. We consistently offer the highest-quality products to our drinkers, and we apply what we’ve learned from making great-tasting craft beer to making great-tasting and innovative “beyond beer” products. Boston Beer Company has pioneered not only craft beer but also hard cider, hard seltzer, and hard tea. Our core brands include household names like Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Samuel Adams, Sun Cruiser, Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. For more information, please visit our website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites.
Attachments

Dave DeCecco Boston Beer Company dave.dececco@bostonbeer.com