Boston Beer Reports Fourth Quarter Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) reported its Q4 2024 financial results with mixed performance. Q4 net revenue increased 2.2% to $402.3 million, while depletions were flat and shipments decreased 0.5%. The quarter saw a GAAP diluted loss per share of $3.38, including a $1.70 per share contract settlement expense.
For full-year 2024, net revenue grew marginally by 0.2% to $2.01 billion, with depletions down 2% and shipments declining 2.4%. The company achieved a gross margin of 44.4%, up 200 basis points year-over-year. Full-year GAAP earnings were $5.06 per share, while non-GAAP earnings reached $9.43 per share.
Notable operational highlights include:
- Generated $249 million in operating cash flow for 2024
- Ended with $212 million in cash and no debt
- Repurchased $239 million in shares during 2024
- Recorded a $42.6 million non-cash impairment charge primarily for Dogfish Head brand
Positive
- Strong cash position with $212M and zero debt
- Generated $249M operating cash flow in 2024
- Gross margin improved 200 basis points to 44.4%
- Non-GAAP EPS grew 31.5% to $9.43
- Continued share repurchase program with $268M spent
Negative
- Q4 GAAP loss of $3.38 per share
- Annual depletions decreased 2%
- Shipments declined 2.4% in 2024
- $42.6M Dogfish Head brand impairment charge
- Marginal revenue growth of 0.2% for full year
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, SAM gained 3.02%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
BOSTON, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 28, 2024. Key results were:
Fourth Quarter 2024 Summary:
- Depletions were flat and shipments decreased
0.5% - Net revenue increased
2.2% to$402.3 million - Gross margin of
39.9% up 230 basis points year over year - GAAP diluted loss per share of
$3.38 , which includes a previously announced contract settlement expense of$1.70 per share - Non-GAAP diluted loss per share of
$1.68
Full Year 2024 Summary:
- Depletions decreased
2% and shipments decreased2.4% - Net revenue increased
0.2% to$2.01 billion - Gross margin of
44.4% up 200 basis points year over year - GAAP diluted earnings per share of
$5.06 , which includes a non-cash brand impairment charge and contract settlement expense together totaling$4.37 per share - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of
$9.43 , or31.5% growth year over year
Capital Structure
- Generated
$249 million in operating cash flow for the full year 2024 - Ended the year with
$212 million in cash and no debt - Repurchased
$239 million in shares in 2024 and$29 million in 2025 through February 21, 2025
“We were pleased to deliver improved operational and financial performance in 2024,” said Chairman and Founder Jim Koch. “I’m confident we have the right strategy and team in place and we will be stepping up advertising investment in 2025 to further strengthen our brands and drive long-term sustainable growth. Our strong balance sheet and cash flow generation allow us to both increase advertising investment and continue to return cash to shareholders through share repurchases.”
“The fourth quarter provided a solid finish to 2024 with flat depletions, gross margin expansion and strong cash generation,” said President and CEO Michael Spillane. “We are entering 2025 as a stronger company focused on end-to-end execution which is showing progress in a dynamic operating environment. We remain committed to our strategy of a diversified portfolio of core brands and strong innovation supported by increased advertising investment, transforming our supply chain and leveraging our industry leading salesforce.”
Details of the results were as follows:
Fourth Quarter 2024 (13 weeks ended December 28, 2024) Summary of Results
Depletions for the fourth quarter were flat from the prior year. Shipment volume for the quarter was approximately 1.5 million barrels, a
The Company believes distributor inventory as of December 28, 2024 averaged approximately four weeks on hand and was at an appropriate level for each of its brands compared to five and one half weeks on hand at the end of the third quarter.
Net revenue for the quarter increased
Gross margin of
The fourth quarter gross margin of
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased
General and administrative expenses increased by
Contract settlement costs reflect a
The Company incurred impairment costs for brewery equipment and other brewery related assets of
The Company’s effective tax rate benefit for the fourth quarter was
Fourth quarter GAAP net loss of
Fourth quarter Non-GAAP net loss of
Full Year 2024 (52 weeks ended December 28, 2024) Summary of Results
Net revenue of
Depletions decreased
Gross margin of
Gross margin of
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses decreased
General and administrative expenses increased by
Impairment of intangible assets reflects a
Contract settlement costs reflect a
The Company incurred impairment costs for brewery equipment and other brewery related assets of
The Company’s effective tax rate was
Full-year GAAP net income of
Full-year Non-GAAP net income of
The Company expects that its December 28, 2024 cash balance of
During the 52-week period ended December 28, 2024 and the period from December 30, 2024 through February 21, 2025, 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, 2025 are estimated by the Company to be flat to the comparable period in 2024.
Full-Year 2025 Projections
The Company’s actual 2025 results could vary significantly from the current projection and are highly sensitive to changes in volume projections and supply chain performance as well as inflationary impacts. The Company’s projections below do not include any impact related to potential tariffs.
| Full Year 2025 | Guidance |
| Depletions and Shipments Percentage Change | Down low single digit to up low single digit |
| Price Increases | |
| Gross Margin | |
| Advertising, Promotion, and Selling Expense Year Over Year Increase ($ million) | |
| Effective Tax Rate | |
| GAAP EPS | |
| Capital Spending ($ million) |
Underlying the Company's current 2025 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.
- First half 2025 shipments are expected to be at the high end of the full year guidance range due to timing of estimated demand and wholesaler inventory levels for certain brands and styles, primarily driven by Sun Cruiser, Hard Mountain Dew and Truly Unruly.
- During full year 2025, the Company estimates shortfall fees will negatively impact gross margin by 60 to 80 basis points and non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments will negatively impact gross margins by 40 to 60 basis points
- 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.
- The dollar increases in advertising, selling and promotional expense for the year are expected to occur primarily in the first half of the year with a significant year over year increase in the first quarter
- The benefit of lapping CEO transition costs incurred in 2024 is expected to be offset by an increase in estimated incentive compensation at target for 2025 compared to 2024 achievement.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
Non-GAAP EPS is not a defined term under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP EPS, or Non-GAAP fourth quarter earnings per diluted share, excludes from fourth quarter GAAP EPS
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 28, 2024 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 brewing Samuel Adams beer in 1984 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, Sun Cruiser, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, and Samuel Adams. 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.
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| December 28, | December 30, | December 28, | December 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 (13 weeks) | 2023 (13 weeks) | 2024 (52 weeks) | 2023 (52 weeks) | ||||||||||||
| Barrels sold | 1,496 | 1,503 | 7,493 | 7,678 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 429,247 | $ | 417,409 | $ | 2,137,802 | $ | 2,133,292 | |||||||
| Less excise taxes | 26,948 | 23,687 | 124,876 | 124,667 | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | 402,299 | 393,722 | 2,012,926 | 2,008,625 | |||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 241,614 | 245,826 | 1,119,194 | 1,156,256 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 160,685 | 147,896 | 893,732 | 852,369 | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses | 139,549 | 128,629 | 552,033 | 555,998 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 47,680 | 43,714 | 189,906 | 174,548 | |||||||||||
| Impairment of intangible asset | - | - | 42,584 | 16,426 | |||||||||||
| Impairment of brewery assets | 3,433 | 1,480 | 7,184 | 5,396 | |||||||||||
| Contract settlement costs | 26,052 | - | 26,052 | — | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 216,714 | 173,823 | 817,759 | 752,368 | |||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (56,029 | ) | (25,927 | ) | 75,973 | 100,001 | |||||||||
| Other income, net: | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | 3,228 | 4,018 | 13,249 | 10,995 | |||||||||||
| Other expense, net | (825 | ) | (271 | ) | (1,620 | ) | (1,408 | ) | |||||||
| Total other income, net | 2,403 | 3,747 | 11,629 | 9,587 | |||||||||||
| (Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision | (53,626 | ) | (22,180 | ) | 87,602 | 109,588 | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) provision | (14,871 | ) | (4,056 | ) | 27,907 | 33,338 | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (38,755 | ) | $ | (18,124 | ) | $ | 59,695 | $ | 76,250 | |||||
| Net (loss) income per common share - basic | $ | (3.38 | ) | $ | (1.49 | ) | $ | 5.07 | $ | 6.23 | |||||
| Net (loss) income per common share - diluted | $ | (3.38 | ) | $ | (1.49 | ) | $ | 5.06 | $ | 6.21 | |||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares - basic | 11,460 | 12,166 | 11,774 | 12,243 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted | 11,452 | 12,190 | 11,766 | 12,258 | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (38,755 | ) | $ | (18,124 | ) | $ | 59,695 | $ | 76,250 | |||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income: | |||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | (534 | ) | 166 | (715 | ) | 166 | |||||||||
| Defined benefit plans liability adjustment | 76 | (13 | ) | 76 | (13 | ) | |||||||||
| Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: | (458 | ) | 153 | (639 | ) | 153 | |||||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (39,213 | ) | $ | (17,971 | ) | $ | 59,056 | $ | 76,403 | |||||
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| December 28, | December 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 211,819 | $ | 298,491 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 61,423 | 66,997 | ||||||
| Inventories | 117,159 | 115,773 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 20,209 | 20,538 | ||||||
| Income tax receivable | 6,681 | 1,711 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 417,291 | 503,510 | ||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | 616,242 | 642,509 | ||||||
| Operating right-of-use assets | 27,837 | 35,559 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 112,529 | 112,529 | ||||||
| Intangible assets | 16,446 | 59,644 | ||||||
| Third-party production prepayments | 14,473 | 33,581 | ||||||
| Note receivable | 16,738 | — | ||||||
| Other assets | 28,462 | 42,661 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,250,018 | $ | 1,429,993 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 87,276 | $ | 87,245 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 138,618 | 126,930 | ||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 5,735 | 9,113 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 231,629 | 223,288 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 65,803 | 85,721 | ||||||
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | 30,205 | 36,161 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 6,194 | 6,894 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 333,831 | 352,064 | ||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Class A Common Stock, | 93 | 100 | ||||||
| Class B Common Stock, | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 676,454 | 656,297 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (696 | ) | (57 | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | 240,315 | 421,568 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 916,187 | 1,077,929 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,250,018 | $ | 1,429,993 | ||||
| THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| December 28, | December 30, | |||||||
| 2024 (52 weeks) | 2023 (52 weeks) | |||||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 59,695 | $ | 76,250 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 93,992 | 88,141 | ||||||
| Impairment of intangible assets | 42,584 | 16,426 | ||||||
| Impairment of brewery assets | 7,184 | 5,396 | ||||||
| Change in right-of-use assets | 7,722 | 7,678 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 18,954 | 16,971 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | (19,918 | ) | (10,871 | ) | ||||
| Other non-cash (income) expense | (237 | ) | 224 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 5,548 | (10,340 | ) | |||||
| Inventories | 6,907 | 31,500 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable, and other current assets | (4,660 | ) | 13,979 | |||||
| Third-party production prepayments | 19,108 | 27,758 | ||||||
| Other assets | 6,156 | (5,849 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable | 2,602 | 2,763 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses, other current liabilities, and other liabilities | 12,320 | 13,884 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (9,065 | ) | (8,759 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 248,892 | 265,151 | ||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property, plant, and equipment | (76,277 | ) | (64,087 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment | 23 | 1,709 | ||||||
| Cash paid for note receivable | (20,000 | ) | — | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (96,254 | ) | (62,378 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities: | ||||||||
| Repurchases and retirement of Class A common stock | (238,614 | ) | (92,877 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares | 3,597 | 11,723 | ||||||
| Net cash paid on finance leases and notes payable | (1,886 | ) | (1,575 | ) | ||||
| Payment of tax withholding on stock-based payment awards and investment shares | (2,407 | ) | (2,113 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (239,310 | ) | (84,842 | ) | ||||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | (86,672 | ) | 117,931 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 298,491 | 180,560 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 211,819 | $ | 298,491 | ||||
| Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, | ||||||||
| including quarterly financial results, are available at www.bostonbeer.com | ||||||||
| Investor Relations Contact: | Media Contact: | ||
| Jennifer Larson | Dave DeCecco | ||
| (617) 368-5152 | (914) 261-6572 | ||
| jennifer.larson@bostonbeer.com | dave.dececco@bostonbeer.com |
FAQ
What was Boston Beer's (SAM) Q4 2024 revenue and how did it compare to last year?
How much did Boston Beer (SAM) spend on share repurchases in 2024-2025?
What caused the Q4 2024 loss per share for Boston Beer (SAM)?
How did Boston Beer's (SAM) gross margin perform in 2024?
What was the impact of the Dogfish Head brand impairment on SAM's 2024 results?
