STOCK TITAN

Massive legal hit drives Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) to Q1 loss

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Boston Beer Company reported first quarter 2026 net revenue of $433.9 million, down 4.4%, as depletions fell 4% and shipments declined 6.9% to about 1.6 million barrels. Gross margin improved to 49.3%, up 1.0 percentage point from a year earlier.

The company recorded a GAAP net loss of $145.3 million, or ($13.88) per diluted share, driven by a previously announced non-recurring litigation expense totaling $216.0 million pre-tax, or $15.52 per share. Excluding this item, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $1.64.

Boston Beer ended the quarter with $164.1 million in cash and no debt and repurchased $31.2 million of Class A shares year-to-date. For full-year 2026, it now expects depletions and shipments to decline low- to mid-single digits, gross margin of 48–50%, GAAP EPS between ($7.02) and ($5.02), and non-GAAP EPS between $8.50 and $10.50.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Large one-time legal charge turns Boston Beer’s quarter and 2026 GAAP outlook sharply negative.

Boston Beer’s core operations were relatively stable in a challenging category. Q1 2026 net revenue fell 4.4% to $433.9M as depletions declined 4% and shipments fell 6.9%, but gross margin improved 100 basis points to 49.3% on pricing, mix, procurement savings, and better brewery efficiencies.

The headline result is a GAAP net loss of $145.3M or ($13.88) per share, almost entirely due to a non-recurring litigation expense and related items totaling $216.0M pre-tax, or $15.52 per share. Management states it will pursue post-trial and appellate remedies, and notes the timing and ultimate payment of damages and interest remain uncertain.

Guidance has been reset: 2026 GAAP EPS is now projected at ($7.02) to ($5.02), down from prior $8.50–$11.00, while non-GAAP EPS is guided to $8.50–$10.50. The company still targets gross margin of 48–50% and expects $20–$30M in tariff costs. Its $164.1M cash balance, unused $150.0M credit line, and ongoing share repurchases indicate management views the balance sheet as strong enough to absorb potential litigation-related payments.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Net revenue $433.9M Q1 2026, down 4.4% year over year
Gross margin 49.3% Q1 2026, up from 48.3% in Q1 2025
GAAP net (loss) income ($145.3M) Q1 2026 vs $24.4M net income in Q1 2025
GAAP diluted EPS ($13.88) Q1 2026, includes $15.52 per share litigation impact
Non-GAAP diluted EPS $1.64 Q1 2026, excludes non-recurring litigation expense
Litigation-related expense $216.0M Q1 2026 pre-tax charge including damages, interest, legal fees
Depletions change -4% Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025
2026 GAAP EPS guidance ($7.02) to ($5.02) Updated full-year 2026 projected GAAP EPS range
depletions financial
"Depletions for the first quarter decreased 4% compared to the first quarter of the prior year"
Depletions are the number of product units removed from a manufacturer’s or wholesaler’s inventory because retailers or distributors have sold through to customers or stocked their shelves — in short, goods that have left the supply chain and moved toward end consumers. Investors use depletions as a real-world demand signal; like counting items taken off store shelves, rising depletions suggest stronger consumer interest and faster revenue flow, while falling depletions can warn of weakening sales or excess inventory.
gross margin financial
"Gross margin of 49.3% increased from the 48.3% margin realized in the first quarter of 2025"
Gross margin is the difference between how much money a company makes from selling its products and how much it costs to produce them, expressed as a percentage of sales. It shows how efficiently a company is turning sales into profit before other expenses like marketing or salaries. Higher gross margin means the company keeps more money from each sale, which is a good sign of financial health.
non-recurring litigation expense financial
"the Company recorded a previously announced non-recurring pre-tax litigation expense of $175.5 million"
Non-GAAP EPS financial
"Non-GAAP EPS, or Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, excludes from projected GAAP EPS the impact of the non-recurring litigation expense"
Non-GAAP EPS is a measure of a company's profit per share that excludes certain expenses or income items that are included in standard accounting reports. It is used by investors to get a clearer picture of the company's core performance, much like removing one-time costs from a personal budget to see regular spending habits. This adjusted figure helps investors compare companies more consistently and understand their ongoing profitability.
tariff costs financial
"Tariff cost projections below are consistent with tariffs currently being charged by the Company’s suppliers"
Tariff costs are taxes or fees a company must pay when moving goods across national borders, like an extra toll on each shipment. They matter to investors because higher tariffs act like a surprise expense that can shrink profit margins, force price increases, disrupt supply chains, or shift competitive advantage—changes that directly affect a company’s earnings, cash flow and valuation.
share buyback expenditure limit financial
"the Company had approximately $197 million remaining on the $1.6 billion share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors"
Net revenue $433.9M -4.4% year over year
GAAP net (loss) income ($145.3M) vs $24.4M net income in Q1 2025
GAAP diluted EPS ($13.88) vs $2.16 in Q1 2025
Non-GAAP diluted EPS $1.64
Gross margin 49.3% +1.0 percentage point vs 48.3% in Q1 2025
Depletions -4% vs Q1 2025
Shipments volume 1.6M barrels -6.9% vs Q1 2025
Guidance

For full-year 2026, the company guides GAAP EPS to a loss of ($7.02)–($5.02), non-GAAP EPS of $8.50–$10.50, depletions and shipments down low- to mid-single digits, and gross margin of 48–50% with tariff costs of $20–$30M.

0000949870false00009498702026-04-302026-04-30

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 30, 2026

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Massachusetts

001-14092

04-3284048

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

One Design Center Place, Suite 850,

Boston, MA

02210

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 368-5000

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock

 

SAM

 

NYSE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 30, 2026, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. disclosed financial information for the first quarter of 2026 in an earnings release, a copy of which is set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit 99 attached hereto is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

 Exhibit 99

 

Earnings Release of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. dated April 30, 2026

 

 

 

 104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document).

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Date: April 30, 2026

 

/s/ Diego Reynoso

 

 

Diego Reynoso

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 


 

 

Exhibit 99

Investor Relations Contact:

 

 

Media Contact:

Nora Doherty

 

 

Dave DeCecco

(617) 368-5390

 

 

(914) 261-6572

nora.doherty@bostonbeer.com

 

 

dave.dececco@bostonbeer.com

 

 

BOSTON BEER REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

BOSTON (April 30, 2026) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 28, 2026. Key results were:

 

First Quarter 2026 Summary:

 

Depletions decreased 4% and shipments decreased 6.9%
Net revenue of $433.9 million decreased 4.4%
Gross margin of 49.3% up 100 basis points year over year
GAAP diluted loss per share of $13.88, which includes non-recurring litigation expenses of $15.52 per share
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.64

 

Capital Structure

 

Ended the first quarter with $164.1 million in cash and no debt
Repurchased $31 million in shares from December 29, 2025 to April 24, 2026

 

“We were encouraged by early signs of improvement in the total beer category in the first quarter,” said Chairman, Founder and CEO Jim Koch. “While our depletions improved and it remains early in the year, our portfolio has not yet fully matched the improvement in category trends. The operating environment is dynamic, and we are executing with focus against our summer plans, including meaningful advertising support. Our strong balance sheet and highly cash generative business position us to invest in our brands and return cash to shareholders, with the previously announced potential legal payment well within our capacity."

“Today we are modestly narrowing our guidance range to reflect our latest volume outlook and a more challenging cost environment,” said CFO Diego Reynoso. “We continue to deliver strong gross margin performance and expect our savings agenda to help mitigate tariff and commodity headwinds as we move through the year.”

 

Details of the results were as follows:

 

First Quarter 2026 (13 weeks ended March 28, 2026) Summary of Results

 

 


 

Depletions for the first quarter decreased 4% compared to the first quarter of the prior year due to decreases in Twisted Tea, Truly, Samuel Adams and Hard Mountain Dew brands that were partially offset by increases in Sun Cruiser, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head brands.

Consistent with the Company’s plans, shipments declined at a higher rate than depletions. Shipment volume for the quarter was approximately 1.6 million barrels, a 6.9% decrease compared to the first quarter of the prior year, primarily due to difficult comparisons as distributors built inventories for Sun Cruiser and Truly Unruly innovation in the first quarter of 2025 as well as modestly lower overall distributor inventory levels enabled by improvements in the responsiveness of the Company’s supply chain to meet demand.

The Company believes distributor inventory as of March 28, 2026 was at an appropriate level for each of its brands and averaged approximately four and a half weeks on hand compared to five weeks at the end of the first quarter of 2025.

 

Revenue for the quarter decreased 4.4% due to decreases in volume partially offset by pricing and favorable mix.

 

Gross margin of 49.3% increased from the 48.3% margin realized in the first quarter of 2025, or an increase of 100 basis points year over year. Gross margin primarily benefited from price increases, favorable product mix, procurement savings, and improved brewery efficiencies partially offset by inflationary, commodity and tariff costs.

 

The first quarter gross margin of 49.3% includes $1.6 million of shortfall fees and non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments in total, which negatively impacted gross margin by approximately 37 basis points on an absolute basis.

 

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the first quarter of 2026 increased $2.5 million or 1.8% from the first quarter of 2025, resulting from higher freight costs of $2.5 million due to higher rates partially offset by lower volumes. The Company’s brand investments were flat compared to the first quarter of 2025.

General and administrative expenses increased by $4.4 million or 9.1% from the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher legal and consulting costs. Excluding legal costs related to the non-recurring litigation expense discussed below, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.4 million from the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to increased consulting costs.

 

In the first quarter, the Company recorded a previously announced non-recurring pre-tax litigation expense of $175.5 million and related pre-judgement interest expense of $36.5 million resulting from a verdict entered on April 6, 2026 awarding damages to a supplier. The pre-judgement interest has not yet been determined and potential outcomes range between zero and $36.5 million. In addition to the damages and interest, the Company has recorded legal fees of $4.0 million in general and administrative expenses for a total of $216.0 million pre-tax or $15.52 per diluted share. The Company denies that it breached the terms of the parties’ contract and intends to pursue all available post-trial motions and appellate remedies. The Company cannot estimate when or if damages or interest will ultimately be paid or when this matter will ultimately be resolved.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter was a benefit of 23.1%. Excluding the impact of the non-recurring litigation expense, the effective tax rate was a provision of 36.8% compared to a provision of 31.9%

 


 

in the prior year. This increase in rate is due primarily to the increased negative impact of non-deductible stock compensation.

 

The Company expects that its March 28, 2026 cash balance of $164.1 million, together with its projected future operating cash flows and the unused balance on its $150.0 million line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements, including the potential litigation-related payments.

During the 13-week period ended March 28, 2026 and the period from March 30, 2026 through April 24, 2026, the Company repurchased shares of its Class A Common Stock in the amounts of $23.8 million and $7.4 million, respectively, for a total of $31.2 million year to date. As of April 24, 2026, the Company had approximately $197 million remaining on the $1.6 billion share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

 

Depletions Estimate

 

Year-to-date depletions through the 17-week period ended April 24, 2026 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately 4% from the comparable period in 2025.

 

Full-Year 2026 Projections

 

The Company has updated its financial guidance for the full year 2026. The litigation related expenses of $15.52 per share detailed above is now included in GAAP earnings per share guidance.

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 and commodity impacts and tariff policy. Tariff cost projections below are consistent with tariffs currently being charged by the Company’s suppliers and that the Company currently expects to continue for the remainder of 2026.

Full Year 2026

Current Guidance

Previous Guidance

Depletions and Shipments Percentage Change

Down low-single digits to mid-single digits

Flat to down mid-single digits

Price Increases

1% to 2%

1% to 2%

Gross Margin (including Tariffs)

48% to 50%

48% to 50%

Tariff Costs ($ million)

$20 to $30

$20 to $30

Advertising, Promotion, and Selling Expense Year Over Year Change ($ million)

$20 to $40

$20 to $40

GAAP Tax Rate (Benefit)/ Provision

(9.5%) to (10.5%)

29% to 30%

Non GAAP Tax Rate Provision

29% to 30%

-

GAAP EPS (Income/ (Loss))

($7.02) to ($5.02)

$8.50 to $11.00

Non GAAP EPS

$8.50 to $10.50

-

Capital Spending ($ million)

$70 to $90

$70 to $90

 

Underlying the Company's current 2026 projections are the following full-year estimates and targets:

 

 


 

The Company is monitoring recent increases in commodity costs driven by macroeconomic factors, particularly energy, which impacts freight expense as well as aluminum expense given the energy intensive nature of aluminum production. The Company’s current estimates of these cost increases are reflected in its guidance. The Company is continuing to execute savings initiatives to help offset these pressures, along with maintaining flexibility to reduce planned incremental advertising investment to the lower end of its guidance range as needed.
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 continues to expect 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 half of the year as the company shipped ahead of depletions in 2025 to support innovation and build distributor inventories, as well as 2026 innovation launches which are second half weighted. Additionally, improvements in the Company’s supply chain responsiveness that enable modestly lower distributor inventory levels are expected to have a more meaningful impact on the first half and begin to be lapped throughout the second half.
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.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

 

Non-GAAP EPS and Non-GAAP Tax Rate are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP EPS, or Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, excludes from projected GAAP EPS the impact of the non-recurring litigation expense of $216.0 million, or $15.52 per diluted share, recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 relating to a supplier dispute. Non-GAAP Tax Rate excludes from the projected GAAP Tax Rate the tax impact of the non-recurring litigation expense. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to make operating and strategic decisions and to evaluate the Company’s underlying business performance. Management believes these forward-looking non-GAAP measures provide meaningful and useful information to investors and analysts regarding the Company’s outlook for its ongoing financial and business performance or trends and facilitates period to period comparisons of its forecasted financial performance.

 

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, Sun Cruiser, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, and Samuel Adams. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in 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.

 

Thursday, April 30, 2026

 

 


 

 

 

 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Thirteen weeks ended

 

 

 

March 28, 2026

 

 

March 29,
2025

 

Revenue

 

$

461,576

 

 

$

481,357

 

Less excise taxes

 

 

27,646

 

 

 

27,490

 

Net revenue

 

 

433,930

 

 

 

453,867

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

219,969

 

 

 

234,604

 

Gross profit

 

 

213,961

 

 

 

219,263

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses

 

 

140,076

 

 

 

137,535

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

52,303

 

 

 

47,952

 

Impairment of brewery assets

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Litigation expense

 

 

212,035

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

404,416

 

 

 

185,487

 

Operating (loss) income

 

 

(190,455

)

 

 

33,776

 

Other income (expense), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

 

1,890

 

 

 

2,331

 

Other expense, net

 

 

(363

)

 

 

(264

)

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

1,527

 

 

 

2,067

 

(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision

 

 

(188,928

)

 

 

35,843

 

Income tax (benefit) provision

 

 

(43,667

)

 

 

11,431

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(145,261

)

 

$

24,412

 

Net (loss) income per common share – basic

 

$

(13.88

)

 

$

2.16

 

Net (loss) income per common share – diluted

 

$

(13.88

)

 

$

2.16

 

Weighted-average number of common shares – basic

 

 

10,467

 

 

 

11,277

 

Weighted-average number of common shares – diluted

 

 

10,467

 

 

 

11,259

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(145,261

)

 

$

24,412

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

(107

)

 

 

149

 

  Total other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(107

)

 

 

149

 

  Comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(145,368

)

 

$

24,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 28,
2026

 

 

December 27,
2025

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

164,124

 

 

$

223,378

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

86,935

 

 

 

57,094

 

Inventories, net

 

 

118,950

 

 

 

92,532

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

30,904

 

 

 

20,316

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

16,370

 

 

 

24,259

 

Total current assets

 

 

417,283

 

 

 

417,579

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

563,757

 

 

 

578,125

 

Operating right-of-use assets

 

 

27,487

 

 

 

30,229

 

Goodwill

 

 

112,529

 

 

 

112,529

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

14,330

 

 

 

14,753

 

Third-party production prepayments

 

 

6,507

 

 

 

7,099

 

Note receivable

 

 

7,740

 

 

 

11,218

 

Other assets

 

 

21,416

 

 

 

22,063

 

Total assets

 

$

1,171,049

 

 

$

1,193,595

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

100,214

 

 

$

94,975

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

336,808

 

 

 

144,797

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

 

11,547

 

 

 

12,762

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

448,569

 

 

 

252,534

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

13,249

 

 

 

64,785

 

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

23,196

 

 

 

25,111

 

Other liabilities

 

 

3,441

 

 

 

4,885

 

Total liabilities

 

 

488,455

 

 

 

347,315

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized; 8,343,102 and 8,408,458 issued and outstanding as of March 28, 2026 and December 27, 2025, respectively

 

 

83

 

 

 

84

 

Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized; 2,068,000
   issued and outstanding as of March 28, 2026 and December 27, 2025

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

704,344

 

 

 

698,811

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(487

)

 

 

(380

)

(Accumulated deficit), retained earnings

 

 

(21,367

)

 

 

147,744

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

682,594

 

 

 

846,280

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

1,171,049

 

 

$

1,193,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Thirteen weeks ended

 

 

 

March 28,
2026

 

 

March 29,
2025

 

Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(145,261

)

 

$

24,412

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

21,583

 

 

 

22,814

 

Impairment of brewery assets

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

Litigation expense

 

 

212,035

 

 

 

 

Change in right-of-use assets

 

 

2,742

 

 

 

(11,161

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

6,404

 

 

 

5,870

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(51,536

)

 

 

(2,587

)

Other non-cash (income) expense

 

 

(175

)

 

 

120

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(29,832

)

 

 

(26,402

)

Inventories

 

 

(27,030

)

 

 

(26,827

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(10,883

)

 

 

(8,625

)

Income tax receivable

 

 

7,889

 

 

 

6,582

 

Third-party production prepayments

 

 

592

 

 

 

2,575

 

Brewery-related assets and cloud computing

 

 

985

 

 

 

1,098

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

275

 

 

 

(15

)

Accounts payable

 

 

11,039

 

 

 

23,004

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

(16,022

)

 

 

(19,950

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(3,130

)

 

 

10,911

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

(112

)

 

 

162

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

(20,435

)

 

 

1,939

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

(12,322

)

 

 

(9,921

)

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(12,322

)

 

 

(9,879

)

Cash flows used in financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases and retirement of Class A common stock

 

 

(23,348

)

 

 

(49,394

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares

 

 

367

 

 

 

446

 

Cash paid on finance leases

 

 

(581

)

 

 

(420

)

Payment of tax withholding on stock-based payment awards and investment shares

 

 

(2,935

)

 

 

(2,057

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(26,497

)

 

 

(51,425

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(59,254

)

 

 

(59,365

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

223,378

 

 

 

211,819

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

164,124

 

 

$

152,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, including quarterly financial results, are available at www.bostonbeer.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


FAQ

How did Boston Beer (SAM) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Boston Beer reported Q1 2026 net revenue of $433.9 million, down 4.4% year over year, and a GAAP net loss of $145.3 million, or ($13.88) per share, primarily due to a large non-recurring litigation expense recognized in the quarter.

What was Boston Beer’s non-GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2026?

Boston Beer’s Q1 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.64. This measure excludes a $216.0 million non-recurring litigation expense and related items, which totaled $15.52 per diluted share and drove the company’s GAAP result to a substantial quarterly loss.

How did depletions and shipments trend for Boston Beer (SAM) in Q1 2026?

In Q1 2026, Boston Beer’s depletions decreased 4%, while shipments declined 6.9% to approximately 1.6 million barrels. Management noted difficult comparisons from prior-year inventory builds and modestly lower distributor inventory levels enabled by improved supply chain responsiveness.

What is driving Boston Beer’s large GAAP loss in Q1 2026?

The GAAP loss is mainly driven by a non-recurring litigation expense related to a supplier dispute. The company recorded $175.5 million in damages, $36.5 million in pre-judgment interest, and $4.0 million of legal fees, totaling $216.0 million pre-tax in the quarter.

What guidance did Boston Beer (SAM) provide for full-year 2026 earnings?

For 2026, Boston Beer now guides GAAP EPS to a loss between ($7.02) and ($5.02), and non-GAAP EPS between $8.50 and $10.50. The outlook assumes depletions and shipments down low- to mid-single digits and gross margin between 48% and 50%.

What is Boston Beer’s cash and debt position after Q1 2026?

At March 28, 2026, Boston Beer held $164.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and reported no debt. Management believes this cash, projected operating cash flows, and an unused $150.0 million credit line will fund future needs, including potential litigation-related payments.

How much stock did Boston Beer repurchase so far in 2026?

Boston Beer repurchased $23.8 million of Class A shares in the 13 weeks ended March 28, 2026 and another $7.4 million through April 24, 2026, totaling $31.2 million year-to-date, leaving approximately $197 million remaining on its $1.6 billion share buyback expenditure limit.

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