Boston Beer Company Names Phil Hodges Chief Operating Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) announced leadership changes effective October 20, 2025. Phil Hodges, previously Chief Supply Chain Officer since May 2023, was named Chief Operating Officer to oversee day-to-day operations and lead execution of brand building and margin enhancement initiatives while reporting to Founder, Brewer, CEO and Chair Jim Koch.

Koch will continue as CEO and focus on innovation, wholesaler relations, brand investment, and talent. Phil Savastano was promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer; he joined Boston Beer in March 2024 and will report to Hodges.

Positive

• Phil Hodges named COO effective October 20, 2025
• Hodges brings 30+ years of CPG experience
• Supply chain team delivered efficiency gains and gross margin expansion

Negative

• None.

Founder, Brewer and Chairman of the Board Jim Koch to Continue as CEO

Boston, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) today announced leadership changes effective immediately. 

Phil Hodges, Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) for the company, has been named Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Hodges will expand on his supply chain responsibilities to oversee day-to-day operations across all functions and focus on continuing to improve execution and implementing the company’s previously announced brand building and margin enhancement initiatives. He will report to Boston Beer Founder, Brewer, CEO and Chair Jim Koch. 

Hodges has been CSCO of the company since May 2023 after providing supply chain consulting services since 2022. He has more than 30 years of CPG experience, including roles as CSCO of Carlsberg, Chief Financial Officer of Kraft Foods International, and General Manager of Mondelez in Southeast Asia. Since he became Boston Beer CSCO, the company’s supply chain team has delivered vastly improved service levels and significant efficiency gains in its breweries and procurement resulting in strong gross margin expansion.   

Koch will continue as CEO, a position he assumed in August, and will primarily focus on high-impact areas including the company’s innovation pipeline, wholesaler relations, brand investment strategy, and talent and culture. 

“Phil brings a wealth of experience beyond his supply chain expertise, and his stepping into the COO role will enable me to focus on the big picture while he ensures we’re intensely focused on operational execution,” said Koch. “I’m excited to be back in the CEO seat and to continue to partner with Phil and our experienced and talented executive leadership team to execute our operating plans, improve our volume trends, and create long-term shareholder value.” 

As part of this change, Phil Savastano has been promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer – overseeing brewery management, procurement, customer service, engineering, safety, quality, and planning – reporting to Hodges. Savastano joined Boston Beer in March 2024 to lead operations for the Samuel Adams Pennsylvania Brewery and has been instrumental in improving operational excellence in that facility. He has previous experience with Tesla and Molson Coors. 

About The Boston Beer 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

• Phil Hodges has been named Boston Beer Company Chief Operating Officer
• Phil Savastano has been promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer

Dave DeCecco
Boston Beer Company
media@bostonbeer.com

FAQ

Who was named Chief Operating Officer at Boston Beer (SAM) on October 20, 2025?

Phil Hodges was named Chief Operating Officer, reporting to CEO and Chair Jim Koch.

What responsibilities will Phil Hodges have as COO of Boston Beer (SAM)?

Hodges will oversee day-to-day operations across all functions and drive execution of brand building and margin enhancement initiatives.

Will Jim Koch remain CEO after the October 20, 2025 leadership change at Boston Beer (SAM)?

Yes. Jim Koch will continue as CEO and Chair and focus on innovation, wholesaler relations, brand investment, and talent.

Who is the new Chief Supply Chain Officer at Boston Beer (SAM) and when did he join the company?

Phil Savastano was promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer; he joined Boston Beer in March 2024.

What supply chain experience does Phil Hodges bring to his COO role at Boston Beer (SAM)?

Hodges has over 30 years of CPG experience, including roles at Carlsberg, Kraft Foods International, and Mondelez.

How have Boston Beer's supply chain changes affected margins according to the announcement?

The company said supply chain improvements produced significantly improved service levels and efficiency gains that resulted in gross margin expansion.