Press Releases July 23, 2026 04:15 PM

Boston Beer Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Boston Beer reports Q2 2026 results with revenue and shipment declines amid ongoing supplier litigation and supply chain challenges

By Derek Hwang
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The Boston Beer Company reported a 3.3% decrease in net revenue and a 6% decline in depletions for Q2 2026 compared to the prior year. Gross margin improved by 60 basis points, driven by improved efficiencies and pricing. The company is navigating a challenging environment with a significant supplier dispute litigation impacting earnings. Despite volume decreases, beverage mix changes and cost management led to modest margin gains. The company has strong cash reserves and continues share repurchases while updating guidance with expectations of continued volume declines and inflationary pressures.

Boston Beer Reports Second Quarter Financial Results
SAM
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Key Points

  • Q2 2026 net revenue declined 3.3% to $568.3 million with shipments down 4.5%, impacted by declines in key brands offset partially by growth in others like Sun Cruiser and Angry Orchard.
  • Gross margin improved to 50.4% due to brewery efficiencies, favorable product mix, procurement savings, and price increases, although offset partly by inflation and tariffs.
  • Supplier dispute litigation led to significant non-recurring litigation expenses, impacting GAAP earnings, with ongoing legal proceedings creating uncertainty.
  • Market sectors impacted include the alcoholic beverage industry, consumer discretionary, supply chain and logistics providers, and legal services due to litigation exposure.

BOSTON, July 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 27, 2026. Key results were:

Second Quarter 2026 Summary:

  • Depletions decreased 6% and shipments decreased 4.5%
  • Net revenue of $568.3 million decreased 3.3%
  • Gross margin of 50.4% up 60 basis points year over year
  • GAAP diluted income per share of $4.96, which includes a previously disclosed favorable adjustment to non-recurring litigation expenses of $1.31 per share
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $3.65

Year-to-date 2026 Summary:

  • Depletions decreased 5% and shipments decreased 5.6%
  • Net revenue of $1.002 billion decreased 3.8%
  • Gross margin of 49.9% up 80 basis points year over year
  • GAAP diluted loss per share of $8.99, which includes non-recurring litigation expenses of $14.27 per share
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $5.28

Capital Structure

  • Ended the second quarter with $265.5 million in cash and no debt
  • Repurchased $54 million in shares from December 29, 2025 to July 17, 2026

“As we continue to navigate a challenging operating environment, we are managing the business with discipline while investing behind our category-leading brands and bringing innovation to market” said Chairman, Founder and CEO Jim Koch. “We are highly focused on marketplace execution for the remainder of the summer selling season and improving market share trends. Our strong cash flow generation and healthy balance sheet provide flexibility to support our strategic priorities and drive long-term value.”

“We delivered meaningful gross margin expansion and are maintaining our earnings outlook while navigating a dynamic consumer demand environment and input cost headwinds,” said CFO Diego Reynoso. “These results demonstrate the progress we continue to make through our multi-year supply chain transformation efforts, combined with a disciplined approach to investment.”

Details of the results were as follows:

Second Quarter 2026 (13 weeks ended June 27, 2026) Summary of Results

Depletions for the second quarter decreased 6% compared to the second quarter of the prior year. Shipment volume for the quarter was approximately 2.0 million barrels, a 4.5% decrease compared to the second quarter of the prior year due to decreases in Twisted Tea, Truly, Samuel Adams, Hard Mountain Dew and Dogfish Head brands that were partially offset by increases in Sun Cruiser and Angry Orchard brands.

The Company believes distributor inventories as of June 27, 2026 were at appropriate levels and averaged approximately four and one half weeks on hand which was consistent with the weeks on hand at the end of June 2025.

Revenue for the quarter decreased 3.3% due to decreases in volume partially offset by favorable product mix and pricing.

Gross margin of 50.4% increased from the 49.8% margin realized in the second quarter of 2025, or an increase of 60 basis points year over year. Gross margin primarily benefited from improved brewery efficiencies, favorable product mix, procurement savings and price increases, and were partially offset by inflationary, commodity and tariff costs.

The second quarter gross margin of 50.4% 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 28 basis points on an absolute basis.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the second quarter of 2026 increased $26.2 million or 16.4% from the second quarter of 2025, resulting from increased brand local marketing and point of sale investments of $17.5 million and higher freight costs of $8.6 million due to higher rates partially offset by lower volumes.

General and administrative expenses increased $3.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2025 primarily due to increased legal fees and salaries and benefit costs. This increase included $1.4 million of legal fees related to the previously disclosed supplier dispute litigation.

Litigation reduction of $19.4 million, related to the supplier dispute, consists of a favorable adjustment to pre-judgement interest of $21.1 million and post-judgement interest expense of $1.7 million. Post-judgement interest expense through the appeals process will be applied to the combined pre-tax total of the judgement and pre-judgement interest amounts of $191.0 million at the statutory rate, which is estimated to be 3.79%. The Company continues to deny that it breached the terms of the contract with the supplier 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.

In the second quarter of 2026, the combined pre-tax income related to the supplier dispute litigation of $18.0 million consists of legal expenses of $1.4 million, recorded in general and administrative expenses, and litigation reduction of $19.4 million. The after-tax impact on earnings per share is a benefit of $1.31 per share.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the second quarter was a provision of 28.7%. Excluding the impact of the supplier dispute litigation, the effective tax rate was a provision of 30.1% compared to a provision of 28.1% in the prior year.  This increase in rate is due primarily to the increased negative impact of non-deductible stock compensation.

Year-to-date 2026 (26 weeks ended June 27, 2026) Summary of Results

Depletions year-to-date decreased 5% from the prior year. Shipment volume year-to-date was approximately 3.6 million barrels, a 5.6% decrease from the prior year, primarily due to decreases in Twisted Tea, Truly, Samuel Adams, Hard Mountain Dew and Dogfish Head brands that were partially offset by increases in Sun Cruiser and Angry Orchard brands.

Revenue year-to-date decreased 3.8% due to decreases in volume partially offset by favorable product mix and pricing.

Gross margin year-to-date of 49.9% increased from the 49.1% margin realized in year-to-date 2025, or an increase of 80 basis points year over year. Gross margin primarily benefited from improved brewery efficiencies, product mix, price increases and procurement savings, which were partially offset by increased inflationary, commodity and tariff costs.

The year-to-date gross margin of 49.9% includes $3.2 million of shortfall fees and non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments in total, which negatively impacted gross margin by approximately 32 basis points on an absolute basis.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses year-to-date increased $28.7 million or 9.7% from year-to-date 2025, resulting from increased brand local marketing investments of $17.6 million and higher freight costs of $11.1 million due to higher rates partially offset by lower volumes.

General and administrative expenses year-to-date increased $7.5 million or 8.0% from year-to-date 2025, primarily due to increased legal fees and salaries and benefit costs. This increase included $5.4 million of legal fees related to the previously disclosed supplier dispute litigation.

Litigation expense of $192.6 million, related to the supplier dispute, consists of the judgement of $175.5 million, pre-judgement interest expense of $15.5 million and post-judgement interest expense of $1.7 million.

The litigation expense of $192.6 million combined with related legal expenses of $5.4 million, recorded in general and administrative expenses, have an after-tax negative impact on earnings per share of $14.27 per share.

Impairment of brewery assets of $0.2 million decreased by $4.7 million from year-to-date 2025, due to decreased write-offs of equipment at third party and Company-owned breweries.

The Company’s effective tax rate year-to-date was a benefit of 19.7%. Excluding the impact of the supplier dispute litigation, the effective tax rate was a provision of 32.3% compared to a provision of 29.2% 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 June 27, 2026 cash balance of $266 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 26-week period ended June 27, 2026 and the period from June 29, 2026 through July 17, 2026, the Company repurchased shares of its Class A Common Stock in the amounts of $48.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively, for a total of $54.1 million year to date. As of July 17, 2026, the Company had approximately $174 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 29-week period ended July 18, 2026 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately 5% from the comparable period in 2026.

Full-Year 2026 Projections

The Company has updated its financial guidance for the full year 2026. 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 2026Current  GuidancePrevious  GuidanceDepletions and Shipments Percentage ChangeDown low-single digits to mid-single digitsDown low-single digits to mid-single digitsPrice Increases1% to 2%1% to 2%Gross Margin (including Tariffs)48.5% to 50%48% to 50%Tariff Costs($ million)$20 to $30$20 to $30Advertising, Promotion, and Selling ExpenseYear Over Year Change($ million)$0 to $20$20 to $40GAAP Tax Rate (Benefit)/ Provision(11.0%) to (12.0%)(9.5%) to (10.5%)Non GAAP Tax Rate Provision29% to 30%29% to 30%GAAP EPS (Income/ (Loss))($6.23) to ($4.23)($7.02) to ($5.02)Non-recurring Litigation Expenses impact per share($14.73) ($15.52) Non GAAP EPS$8.50 to $10.50$8.50 to $10.50Capital Spending($ million)$60 to $80$70 to $90   

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

  • The Company is monitoring changes 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.
  • Supply chain improvements implemented during 2025 resulted in more consistent levels of distributor inventory in terms of weeks on hand. The impact of these initiatives on prior year shipment timing, together with expected timing of shipments to meet demand in 2026, is expected to affect second half 2026 shipment phasing. The Company expects shipments to decline low to mid-single digits year over year in the third quarter followed by modest shipment growth in the fourth quarter.
  • The Company’s business is seasonal, with the fourth quarter typically a lower volume quarter and the lowest gross margin rate of the year. 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. 
  • 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 advertising, selling and promotional expense projection does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company’s distributors. Advertising investment levels are expected to decline year over year in the fourth quarter as a result of lower full year investment levels and comparisons against high levels of investment in the fourth quarter of 2025 that included production costs associated with preparation for 2026 programming.

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 relating to a supplier dispute of $1.31 per diluted share in income in the second quarter of 2026 and $14.27 per diluted share in expense in the first half of 2026. 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, July 23, 2026

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share data)   (unaudited)   Thirteen weeks ended  Twenty-six weeks ended   June 27, 2026  June 28,
2025  June 27, 2026  June 28,
2025 Revenue $607,757  $625,425  $1,069,333  $1,106,782 Less excise taxes  39,419   37,476   67,065   64,966 Net revenue  568,338   587,949   1,002,268   1,041,816 Cost of goods sold  281,968   295,431   501,937   530,035 Gross profit  286,370   292,518   500,331   511,781 Operating expenses:            Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses  185,881   159,713   325,957   297,249 General and administrative expenses  48,878   45,751   101,180   93,702 Impairment of brewery assets  234   4,985   236   4,985 Litigation (reduction) expense  (19,389)  —   192,646   — Total operating expenses  215,604   210,449   620,019   395,936 Operating income (loss)  70,766   82,069   (119,688)  115,845 Other income (expense), net:            Interest income, net  2,001   2,294   3,890   4,625 Other expense, net  (449)  (309)  (812)  (574)Total other income (expense), net  1,552   1,985   3,078   4,051 Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit)  72,318   84,054   (116,610)  119,896 Income tax provision (benefit)  20,751   23,621   (22,916)  35,051 Net income (loss) $51,567  $60,433  $(93,694) $84,845 Net income (loss) per common share – basic $4.96  $5.45  $(8.99) $7.59 Net income (loss) per common share – diluted $4.96  $5.45  $(8.99) $7.58 Weighted-average number of common shares – basic  10,387   11,090   10,427   11,183 Weighted-average number of common shares – diluted  10,358   11,067   10,427   11,163 Net income (loss) $51,567  $60,433  $(93,694) $84,845 Other comprehensive (loss) income:            Foreign currency translation adjustment  (127)  245   (235)  394 Total other comprehensive (loss) income  (127)  245   (235)  394 Comprehensive income (loss) $51,440  $60,678  $(93,929) $85,239                  


THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data)   (unaudited)      June 27,
2026  December 27,
2025 Assets      Current Assets:      Cash and cash equivalents $265,549  $223,378 Accounts receivable, net  100,495   57,094 Inventories, net  118,118   92,532 Prepaid expenses and other current assets  27,184   20,316 Income tax receivable  4,466   24,259 Total current assets  515,812   417,579 Property, plant, and equipment, net  554,911   578,125 Operating right-of-use assets  24,716   30,229 Goodwill  112,529   112,529 Intangible assets, net  13,907   14,753 Third-party production prepayments  5,916   7,099 Note receivable  7,783   11,218 Other assets  19,520   22,063 Total assets $1,255,094  $1,193,595 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      Current Liabilities:      Accounts payable $125,029  $94,975 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  166,201   144,797 Accrued litigation expenses  192,646   - Current operating lease liabilities  9,687   12,762 Total current liabilities  493,563   252,534 Deferred income taxes, net  21,347   64,785 Non-current operating lease liabilities  21,863   25,111 Other liabilities  3,749   4,885 Total liabilities  540,522   347,315 Commitments and Contingencies      Stockholders' Equity:      Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized; 8,224,038 and 8,408,458 issued and outstanding as of June 27, 2026 and December 27, 2025, respectively  82   84 Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized; 2,068,000
issued and outstanding as of June 27, 2026 and December 27, 2025  21   21 Additional paid-in capital  709,867   698,811 Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (614)  (380)Retained earnings  5,216   147,744 Total stockholders' equity  714,572   846,280 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,255,094  $1,193,595 


THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)   (unaudited)   Twenty-six weeks ended   June 27,
2026  June 28,
2025 Cash flows provided by operating activities:      Net (loss) income $(93,694) $84,845 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:      Depreciation and amortization  42,563   45,178 Impairment of brewery assets  236   4,985 Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment  (78)  (42)Litigation expense  192,646   — Change in right-of-use assets  5,513   (8,405)Stock-based compensation expense  11,470   10,924 Deferred income taxes  (43,439)  (10,517)Other non-cash income  (282)  (20)Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      Accounts receivable  (43,399)  (31,388)Inventories  (25,801)  (17,404)Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (7,091)  (6,625)Income tax receivable  19,793   6,643 Third-party production prepayments  1,183   5,151 Brewery-related assets and cloud computing  3,000   2,673 Other non-current assets  (242)  (1,042)Accounts payable  34,452   25,449 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  27,322   9,668 Operating lease liabilities  (6,323)  7,923 Other non-current liabilities  (254)  423 Net cash provided by operating activities  117,575   128,419 Cash flows used in investing activities:      Purchases of property, plant, and equipment  (22,865)  (24,156)Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment  78   42 Net cash used in investing activities  (22,787)  (24,114)Cash flows used in financing activities:      Repurchases and retirement of Class A common stock  (49,957)  (101,617)Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares  1,158   833 Cash paid on finance leases  (847)  (848)Payment of tax withholding on stock-based payment awards and investment shares  (2,971)  (2,060)Net cash used in financing activities  (52,617)  (103,692)Change in cash and cash equivalents  42,171   613 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  223,378   211,819 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $265,549  $212,432        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[email protected]  [email protected]



Risks

  • Ongoing supplier dispute litigation creates significant financial uncertainty with potential for large future payments affecting cash flow and earnings.
  • Declining shipment volumes in several core brands may signal market share erosion or shifting consumer preferences impacting future revenues.
  • Inflationary pressures and tariffs increase input costs and freight expenses, potentially compressing margins if price increases cannot fully offset these costs.

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