Boston Beer Reports Fourth Quarter Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM) reported Q4 2025 net revenue of $385.7M (down 4.1%) and full‑year revenue of $1.965B (down 2.4%).
Full‑year gross margin improved to 48.5% (+410 bps) and the company generated $270.2M operating cash flow, ended year with $223.4M cash, no debt, and repurchased $199.2M of shares in 2025.
Positive
- Gross margin +410 bps year-over-year (full year 2025)
- $270.2M operating cash flow for full year 2025
- $199.2M share repurchases during 2025 (plus $13.7M through Feb 20, 2026)
- $223.4M cash and no debt at year-end
Negative
- Depletions down 4% for full year 2025; shipments down 4.7%
- Net revenue down 4.1% in Q4 2025 and 2.4% for full year 2025
- Net loss of $22.5M in Q4 2025; diluted loss per share $2.12
- Advertising, promotional and selling expenses up $58.0M (10.5%) year-over-year
News Market Reaction – SAM
On the day this news was published, SAM declined 4.26%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. This price movement removed approximately $99M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $2.21B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SAM was down 4.61% ahead of earnings while peers were mixed: TAP and FMX modestly negative, but ABEV, BUD, and STZ all showed gains, pointing to a stock-specific setup rather than a broad brewer selloff.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 | Q3 2025 earnings | Neutral | +0.4% | Revenue down but margins higher and guidance raised for 2025. |
| Jul 24 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +6.5% | Revenue and EPS growth with margin expansion and higher guidance. |
| Apr 24 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | +2.3% | Strong EPS and margin gains despite slight depletion decline. |
| Feb 25 | Q4 2024 earnings | Neutral | +3.0% | Mixed quarter with contract settlement and full-year margin gains. |
| Oct 24 | Q3 2024 earnings | Neutral | -2.0% | Slight revenue growth, margin improvement but shipment and depletion declines. |
Earnings releases have usually led to modest positive next-day moves, even when results were mixed, with only one negative reaction in the last five comparable reports.
Over the last five earnings releases, Boston Beer has consistently emphasized gross margin expansion and balance sheet strength, often alongside volume or depletion declines. Prior quarters in 2024–2025 showed improving margins, non-cash impairment and contract settlement charges, and active share repurchases. Price reactions were generally positive on these updates. Today’s Q4 and full-year 2025 report continues themes of higher margins, lower volumes, and strong cash, fitting into this ongoing profitability-improvement narrative.
Historical Comparison
In the past five earnings releases, SAM’s average next-day move was about 2.06%, typically modestly positive as investors focused on margin and EPS trends despite volume pressure.
Same-tag earnings events show a progression toward higher gross margins and active capital returns, while volumes and depletions trend slightly negative and one-off charges roll off.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights lower depletions and shipments but meaningful gross margin expansion to 48.5% for 2025, stronger net income of $108.5M, and continued share repurchases. It extends a trend seen in prior earnings: improved profitability and solid cash with soft volumes. Investors may focus on the $8.50–$11.00 2026 EPS guidance, execution on supply chain and productivity initiatives, and whether brand investments stabilize or grow depletions over time.
Key Terms
depletions technical
shortfall fees financial
non-cash impairment financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BOSTON, Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 27, 2025. Key results were:
Fourth Quarter 2025 Summary:
- Depletions decreased
6% and shipments decreased7.5% - Net revenue of
$385.7 million , a decrease of4.1% - Gross margin of
43.5% up 360 basis points year over year - Net loss of
$22.5 million , a decrease of$16.2 million . Excluding the impact of a prior year contract settlement charge, net loss increased$3.3 million - Diluted loss per share of
$2.12
Full Year 2025 Summary:
- Depletions decreased
4% and shipments decreased4.7% - Net revenue of
$1.96 5 billion, a decrease of2.4% - Gross margin of
48.5% up 410 basis points year over year - Net income of
$108.5 million , an increase of$48.8 million . Excluding the impact of the prior year non-cash brand impairment and contract settlement charges, net income decreased$2.8 million or2.5% - Diluted income per share of
$9.89 or a95.4% increase year over year. Excluding the impact of the prior year impairment and contract settlement charges, diluted income per share increased4.7%
Capital Structure
- Generated
$270.2 million in operating cash flow for the full year 2025 - Ended the year with
$223.4 million in cash and no debt - Repurchased
$199.2 million in shares in 2025 and$13.7 million in 2026 through February 20, 2026
“We were pleased to deliver on our financial commitments in 2025 while maintaining market share in a challenging operating environment,” said Chairman, Founder and CEO Jim Koch. “Looking ahead, we are highly focused on operational excellence, including investing in our portfolio of iconic brands, developing a strong innovation pipeline and continuing to execute on our multi-year productivity initiatives. We believe this disciplined focus positions us to improve performance over time and create long-term value for shareholders.”
“2025 was a year of continued progress for Boston Beer, highlighted by meaningful gross margin improvement and strong cash generation, while significantly increasing advertising support behind our brands,” said CFO Diego Reynoso. “In 2026, we expect continued progress on our multi-year supply chain initiatives which will be reinvested to support our brands.”
Details of the results were as follows:
Fourth Quarter 2025 (13 weeks ended December 27, 2025) Summary of Results
Depletions for the fourth quarter decreased
The Company believes distributor inventories as of December 27, 2025 were at appropriate levels and averaged approximately four weeks on hand which is within the Company’s target distributor inventory levels.
Revenue for the quarter decreased
Gross margin of
The fourth quarter gross margin of
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased
General and administrative expenses increased by
Contract settlement costs in the comparable period of 2024 reflected a
Impairment of brewery assets of
The Company’s effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of
Full year 2025 (52 weeks ended December 27, 2025) Summary of Results
Revenue for full year 2025 of
Depletions for full year 2025 decreased
Gross margin full year 2025 of
The full year 2025 gross margin of
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for full year 2025 increased
Full year 2025 general and administrative expenses increased
Impairment of intangible assets in full year 2024 reflected a
Impairment of brewery assets of
The Company’s effective tax rate for full year 2025 of
Full year 2025 net income of
The Company expects that its December 27, 2025 cash balance of
During the 52-week period ended December 27, 2025 and the period from December 29, 2025 through February 20, 2026, the Company repurchased shares of its Class A Common Stock in the amounts of
Depletions Estimate
Year-to-date depletions through the 8-week period ended February 21, 2026 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately
Full-Year 2026 Projections
The Company’s actual 2026 results could vary significantly from the current projection and are highly sensitive to changes in volume projections, supply chain performance, inflationary impacts and tariff policy. Tariff cost projections below are based upon tariffs in place prior to the February 20, 2026 Supreme Court ruling.
| Full Year 2026 | Guidance |
| Depletions and Shipments Percentage Change | Flat to down mid-single digits |
| Price Increases | |
| Gross Margin (including Tariffs) | |
| Tariff Costs ($ million) | |
| Advertising, Promotion, and Selling Expense Year Over Year Change ($ million) | |
| Effective Tax Rate | |
| EPS (including Tariffs) | |
| Capital Spending ($ million) | |
Underlying the Company's current 2026 projections are the following full-year estimates and targets:
- The Company’s business is seasonal, with the first quarter and fourth quarter being lower volume quarters and the fourth quarter typically the lowest absolute gross margin rate of the year.
- The Company expects first quarter and first half shipments to decline toward the lower end of its full year volume guidance with better shipment performance later in the year. This is due to higher shipment comparisons in the first quarter and first half of the year as the Company shipped ahead of depletions in 2025 to support innovation and build wholesaler inventories.
- During full year 2026, the Company estimates shortfall fees and non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments in total will negatively impact gross margins by 40 to 60 basis points.
- The Company expects year over year gross margin rate improvement to be the most meaningful in the fourth quarter as shortfall fees are expected to be lower in 2026 versus 2025 and the Company typically expenses the majority of its shortfall fees in the fourth quarter.
- The advertising, selling and promotional expense projection does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company’s distributors. Incremental advertising investment is expected to be weighted to the second and third quarters to support the key summer selling season.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025 and subsequent reports filed by the Company with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Copies of these documents are available from the SEC and may be found on the Company’s website, www.bostonbeer.com. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| December 27, | December 28, | December 27, | December 28, | ||||||||||||
| 2025 (13 weeks) | 2024 (13 weeks) | 2025 (52 weeks) | 2024 (52 weeks) | ||||||||||||
| Barrels sold | 1,384 | 1,496 | 7,140 | 7,493 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 408,993 | $ | 429,247 | $ | 2,087,251 | $ | 2,137,802 | |||||||
| Less excise taxes | 23,309 | 26,948 | 122,257 | 124,876 | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | 385,684 | 402,299 | 1,964,994 | 2,012,926 | |||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 218,002 | 241,614 | 1,012,414 | 1,119,194 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 167,682 | 160,685 | 952,580 | 893,732 | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses | 147,966 | 139,549 | 609,953 | 552,033 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 52,175 | 47,680 | 190,790 | 189,906 | |||||||||||
| Impairment of intangible asset | — | — | — | 42,584 | |||||||||||
| Impairment of brewery assets | 554 | 3,433 | 6,955 | 7,184 | |||||||||||
| Contract settlement costs | — | 26,052 | — | 26,052 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 200,695 | 216,714 | 807,698 | 817,759 | |||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (33,013 | ) | (56,029 | ) | 144,882 | 75,973 | |||||||||
| Other income, net: | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | 2,619 | 3,228 | 9,939 | 13,249 | |||||||||||
| Other expense, net | (193 | ) | (825 | ) | (1,361 | ) | (1,620 | ) | |||||||
| Total other income, net | 2,426 | 2,403 | 8,578 | 11,629 | |||||||||||
| (Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision | (30,587 | ) | (53,626 | ) | 153,460 | 87,602 | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) provision | (8,056 | ) | (14,871 | ) | 44,991 | 27,907 | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (22,531 | ) | $ | (38,755 | ) | $ | 108,469 | $ | 59,695 | |||||
| Net (loss) income per common share - basic | $ | (2.12 | ) | $ | (3.38 | ) | $ | 9.90 | $ | 5.07 | |||||
| Net (loss) income per common share - diluted | $ | (2.12 | ) | $ | (3.38 | ) | $ | 9.89 | $ | 5.06 | |||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares - basic | 10,623 | 11,460 | 10,960 | 11,774 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted | 10,597 | 11,452 | 10,937 | 11,766 | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (22,531 | ) | $ | (38,755 | ) | $ | 108,469 | $ | 59,695 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | 114 | (534 | ) | 347 | (715 | ) | |||||||||
| Defined benefit plans liability adjustment | (31 | ) | 76 | (31 | ) | 76 | |||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | 83 | (458 | ) | 316 | (639 | ) | |||||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (22,448 | ) | $ | (39,213 | ) | $ | 108,785 | $ | 59,056 | |||||
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| December 27, | December 28, | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 223,378 | $ | 211,819 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 57,094 | 61,423 | ||||||
| Inventories | 92,532 | 117,159 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 20,316 | 20,209 | ||||||
| Income tax receivable | 24,259 | 6,681 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 417,579 | 417,291 | ||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | 578,125 | 616,242 | ||||||
| Operating right-of-use assets | 30,229 | 27,837 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 112,529 | 112,529 | ||||||
| Intangible assets | 14,753 | 16,446 | ||||||
| Third-party production prepayments | 7,099 | 14,473 | ||||||
| Note receivable | 11,218 | 16,738 | ||||||
| Other assets | 22,063 | 28,462 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,193,595 | $ | 1,250,018 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 94,975 | $ | 87,276 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 144,797 | 138,618 | ||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 12,762 | 5,735 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 252,534 | 231,629 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 64,785 | 65,803 | ||||||
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | 25,111 | 30,205 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 4,885 | 6,194 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 347,315 | 333,831 | ||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Class A Common Stock, | 84 | 93 | ||||||
| Class B Common Stock, | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 698,811 | 676,454 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (380 | ) | (696 | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | 147,744 | 240,315 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 846,280 | 916,187 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,193,595 | $ | 1,250,018 | ||||
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| December 27, | December 28, | |||||||
| 2025 (52 weeks) | 2024 (52 weeks) | |||||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 108,469 | $ | 59,695 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 90,438 | 93,992 | ||||||
| Impairment of intangible assets | — | 42,584 | ||||||
| Impairment of brewery assets | 6,955 | 7,184 | ||||||
| Change in right-of-use assets | (2,940 | ) | 7,722 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 21,754 | 18,954 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | (1,018 | ) | (19,918 | ) | ||||
| Other non-cash income | (523 | ) | (237 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 4,352 | 5,548 | ||||||
| Inventories | 23,405 | 6,907 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable, and other current assets | (18,496 | ) | (4,660 | ) | ||||
| Third-party production prepayments | 7,374 | 19,108 | ||||||
| Other assets | 7,620 | 6,156 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 5,227 | 2,602 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses, other current liabilities, and other liabilities | 15,607 | 12,320 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,934 | (9,065 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 270,158 | 248,892 | ||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property, plant, and equipment | (54,563 | ) | (76,277 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment | 47 | 23 | ||||||
| Cash paid for note receivable | — | (20,000 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (54,516 | ) | (96,254 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities: | ||||||||
| Repurchases and retirement of Class A common stock | (202,424 | ) | (238,614 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares | 2,513 | 3,597 | ||||||
| Net cash paid on finance leases and notes payable | (1,728 | ) | (1,886 | ) | ||||
| Payment of tax withholding on stock-based payment awards and investment shares | (2,444 | ) | (2,407 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (204,083 | ) | (239,310 | ) | ||||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | 11,559 | (86,672 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 211,819 | 298,491 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 223,378 | $ | 211,819 | ||||
| Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, | ||||||||
| including quarterly financial results, are available at www.bostonbeer.com | ||||||||
| Investor Relations Contact: | Media Contact: |
| Nora Doherty | Dave DeCecco |
| (617) 368-5390 | (914) 261-6572 |
| nora.doherty@bostonbeer.com | dave.dececco@bostonbeer.com |