UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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): August 7, 2007

 

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
 

Massachusetts
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

001-14092
(Commission
File Number)

04-3284048
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

One Design Center Place, Suite 850, Boston, MA
(Address of principal executive offices)

02210
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 368-5000

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

[  ]

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-4c under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

   

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

      On August 7, 2007, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. disclosed unaudited financial information for the second quarter of 2007 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 August 7, 2007.

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 
 

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
(Registrant)

   
   

Date: August 7, 2007

/s/ William F. Urich

 


 

William F. Urich
Chief Financial Officer
(Signature)*

   

*Print name and title of the signing officer under his signature.

 

CONTACT:
MICHELLE SULLIVAN
(617) 368-5165

   

EXHIBIT 99

 

BOSTON BEER REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER

 

VOLUME AND REVENUE

 

      BOSTON, MA (8/7/07) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) achieved second quarter earnings per diluted share of $0.46, a decrease of $0.10 over the second quarter 2006, after taking into account the write-off of $3.4 million or $0.14 net of tax per diluted share for the capitalized brewery costs related to the Company's Freetown, Massachusetts brewery project. The Company posted record second quarter net revenue of $92.9 million, an increase of 17.1% over the same period last year. The net revenue increase in the second quarter was primarily driven by a 14.6% core shipment volume increase and an increase in revenue per barrel of approximately 2.0%. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company's earnings per diluted share were $0.86, an increase of $0.17 over 2006. Net revenue increased by 21.4% to $165.3 million during the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period 2006.

 

      Jim Koch, Chairman and Founder of the Company, commented, "We feel very positive about our second quarter depletions growth of 16%. This was our sixth successive quarter of double digit increases. We believe these results are driven by drinkers trading up to our full flavored craft beers and increasing retailer and wholesaler support for the craft category and Samuel Adams. This is a great time to be an American beer drinker due to the variety and availability of so many great craft beers. I believe that the quality and variety of distinct beers that Samuel Adams brews positions us well to meet drinker tastes.

 

      Martin Roper, Boston Beer Company President and CEO, added, "Our second quarter depletions growth reflected double digit growth in the Samuel Adams brand family, offset by a slight decline in the Twisted Tea brand family. Our Samuel Adams brand continued to benefit from increased drinker interest, increased retailer support and the hard work of our wholesalers supporting our retail initiatives. We believe that our Samuel Adams brand health continues to benefit from our significant brand support investment in media, our sales force and point of sale materials and promotions, and we continue to evaluate incremental investments in order to maintain our leading position." Mr. Roper continued, "Twisted Tea brand family depletions declined slightly in a very competitive flavored malt beverage category, with several new tea entrants in the first half of 2007. We expect the remainder of the year to be very competitive, but we are encouraged by Twisted Tea's resi liency and we plan to continue to invest in the Twisted Tea brand to improve our position."

 

      Bill Urich, Boston Beer CFO, added, "Our gross margin for the second quarter 2007 decreased to 56.8% from 59.3% in the second quarter last year, due primarily to higher package material and ingredient costs partially offset by price increases and a favorable shift in package and product mix. Most of the cost pressures on package materials and ingredients are expected to continue during the remainder of the year. During the second quarter, we took a $3.4 million write-off of capitalized costs related to the Freetown, Massachusetts brewery project as our entering into the Contract of Sale with Diageo North America for the brewery owned by Diageo in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania significantly reduced the likelihood that we would proceed with the construction of a new brewery in Freetown."

 

      Mr. Roper, commenting on the full year prospects said, "We currently expect that, if our volume gains continue for the rest of the year, we will be able to meet or even exceed our previously communicated earnings goals even after including the asset write-off of brewery costs we took in the second quarter. We still face significant pressures from increasing barley and hops prices and increased glass, freight and utilities costs. We are excited to start our due diligence process with respect to the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery but we will not fully understand the viability and cost impact of this brewery until that process is complete. We continue to assess the available combinations of supply strategies. We will also continue to evaluate appropriate levels of capital investment and investment in our brand to meet long-term growth goals."

 

2nd Quarter Results

 

      For the 13-week period ended June 30, 2007, the Company recorded net revenue of $92.9 million, a 17.1% increase over the same period in 2006. Net revenue per barrel for core products increased by 2.0%, primarily due to price increases maintained from the first quarter, offset by a shift in package mix from cases to kegs.

 

      Distributor sales of the Boston Beer brands to retail (depletions) totaled approximately 0.5 million barrels, an approximate 16.2% increase from the second quarter 2006. This increase was primarily a result of volume increases in Samuel Adams® Seasonals and Brewmaster's Collection, Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, and Sam Adams Light®. Twisted Tea® depletion volume declined slightly in the second quarter.

 

      The Company believes inventories at wholesalers at the end of the second quarter were at appropriate levels.

 

      The Company's net income of $6.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2007, represented a decrease of $1.2 million or $0.10 per diluted share below the same period last year primarily as a result of the write-off of brewery costs, increases in cost of goods sold, selling and advertising expenses and general and administrative expenses partially offset by increases in net revenue. Net revenue increased by $13.5 million, or 17.1%, during the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the second quarter of 2006, due to the increase in core shipment volume and a 2.0% increase in net revenue per barrel for core products. The increase in net revenue per barrel for core products is due to price increases, offset somewhat by a shift in package mix from cases to kegs. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased by $3.3 million during the quarter as compared to the prior year, primarily due to increases in freight expense s to wholesalers, advertising and promotional costs. General and administrative costs increased by $0.7 million during the quarter as compared to the prior year, driven by salary and benefit costs. The write-off of brewery costs relates to the Freetown, Massachusetts brewery project as previously discussed. The effective tax rate of 42.4% for the second quarter increased from the 2006 rate of 39.4% due to a true-up of federal income taxes due.

 

Year to Date Results

 

      Core shipment volume for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 was 0.9 million barrels, an 18.5% increase from the same period in the prior year.

 

      Depletions increased by approximately 17% during the first half of 2007 compared to the same period last year primarily attributable to increases throughout the Samuel Adams® brand family.

 

      The Company's net income of $12.6 million or $0.86 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2007, represented an increase of $2.8 million or $0.17 per diluted share over the same period last year, primarily as a result of an increase in net revenue, partially offset by increases in costs of goods sold, selling and advertising expenses, general and administrative expenses, the write-off of brewery costs and income taxes. Net revenue increased by $29.1 million, or 21.4%, during the first half of 2007 as compared to the first half of 2006, due to the increase in core shipment volume and a 2.4% increase in net revenue per barrel for core products. The increase in net revenue per barrel for core products is due to price increases and favorable changes in package and product mix. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased by $4.4 million during the first half as compared to the prior year, primarily due to increases in freight expenses to wholesalers, advertising costs and salary and benefit costs. General and administrative costs increased by $1.1 million during the first half as compared to the prior year, driven by salary and benefit costs. The write-off of brewery costs relates to the Freetown, Massachusetts brewery project as previously discussed. The effective tax rate for the first half increased to 41.4% from the 2006 rate of 39.5% due to a true-up of federal income taxes due.

 

Other matters

 

      Shipments and orders in-hand suggest that core shipments for the nine months ending September 30, 2007 appear to be up approximately 15% as compared to the same period in 2006. Actual shipments may differ, however, and no inferences should be drawn with respect to shipments in future periods. July year-to-date depletions are estimated to be up approximately 17% over 2006.

 

      As previously reported, the Company has entered into a Contract of Sale to purchase from Diageo North America a brewery located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania for $55 million. The Company currently believes, based on information available to it, that restarting the brewhouse and completing other necessary upgrades to the brewery may cost between $30 million and $75 million, but, until the Company completes its evaluation of the brewery and its potential during the due diligence period, it will not be possible to estimate precisely the total cost of any required renovation and upgrades or the operating and financial statement impact to the Company. The Company has been assessing the viability of constructing a brewery in the Northeast and secured an option on a site in Freetown, Massachusetts, but as the probability of proceeding on this site has decreased due to entering into the Contract of Sale with Diageo for the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery, t he Company has determined that it is appropriate to write off $3.4 million, the amount capitalized to date on the Freetown, Massachusetts brewery project. The Company currently anticipates preserving its right to purchase the land in Freetown, Massachusetts in case the result of the due diligence on the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery proves unsatisfactory. This may require further extensions of time for closing under the purchase and sale agreement, or actually closing on the purchase of the land in Freetown, Massachusetts. If the outcome of the due diligence is unsatisfactory on the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery, the due diligence costs associated with the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery would be required to be expensed.

 

      During the second quarter, the Company began brewing and packaging some of its beer in Latrobe, Pennsylvania under an agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of City Brewing Company, LLC. The Company has invested in Latrobe to upgrade the brewery to provide for Samuel Adams' traditional brewing process, use of proprietary yeasts and extended aging time, and beer bottling and kegging. The Company has been experiencing some issues at the brewery it owns in Cincinnati due, at least in part, to the extended twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week production. These issues have added costs, produced service levels below the Company's expectations, presented challenges for maintaining the facility to the Company's quality standards, and in some cases has required the Company to hold or destroy product which did not meet these standards. While the Company has and will continue to shut down the Cincinnati brewery periodically to deal with issues as they arise , the addition of production at the Latrobe brewery has and should allow the Company greater flexibility to make the improvements the Company needs at its Cincinnati brewery through these periodic shutdowns, while still maintaining overall production output that meets drinker demand and the Company's service and quality standards. The exact future cost impact of these issues cannot currently be estimated until the Company has fully evaluated all the improvements needed.

 

      The Company now expects earnings per diluted share to be between $1.42 and $1.70, after accounting for the asset write-off in the second quarter, but absent any significant change in currently planned levels of brand support. The earnings per share range estimate does not include further significant brewery expenses associated with the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery or the evaluation of other brewing options. The Company's ability to achieve this type of earnings growth in 2007 is dependent on its ability to achieve challenging targets for volume, pricing and costs.

 

      Consistent with the Company's earnings release of May 8, 2007, the Company estimates total capital expenditures in 2007 to be between $17 and $21 million, primarily driven by the need to purchase additional kegs to support its draft business. Keg purchases are higher than planned due to faster volume growth rates, higher cooperage costs, and potentially higher keg losses. This revised estimate includes an investment between $3 million and $7 million in the Latrobe Brewery to support the restarting of the historic brew house and modifications to accommodate the Company's beers. Consistent with Boston Beer's commitment to the brewery, the parties are discussing the possibility of Boston Beer acquiring an ownership interest in the Latrobe brewing facility. This capital expenditure estimate does not include the amounts payable for the purchase of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery, the possible purchase of the land in Freetown, Massachusetts nor does it include any other major investments that may be required at the Cincinnati brewery or that might result from the Company's evaluation of its long-term production strategy. The Company's capital investment this year could be between $31 million and $48 million if the company's due diligence process on the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania brewery is concluded successfully.

 

      During the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company did not repurchase any of its Class A Common Stock. Through August 3, 2007, the Company has repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 7.8 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $92.6 million, and had $7.4 million remaining on the $100.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors. As of August 3, 2007, the Company had 10.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 4.1 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 

      The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution.

 

      Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. The Company uses the traditional four vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world's finest ingredients. While resurrecting traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in another revolution, the "extreme beer" movement, where it seeks to challenge drinkers' perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company strives to elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country's largest-sel ling craft beer, it accounts for only about one-half of one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

 

      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 years ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. Copies of these documents may be found on the Company's website, www.bostonbeer.com or obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

 

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

<PAGE>  

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.

Financial Results

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Operating Results:

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 


 


 

June 30,

 

July 1,

 

June 30,

 

July 1,

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 


 


 


 


                       

Barrels sold

 

507

   

440

   

903

   

764

                       

Revenue

$

102,301

 

$

87,635

 

$

182,035

 

$

150,373

Less excise taxes

 

9,433

   

8,302

   

16,719

   

14,152

 


 


 


 


        Net revenue

 

92,868

   

79,333

   

165,316

   

136,221

Cost of goods sold

 

40,130

   

32,276

   

72,256

   

56,491

 


 


 


 


        Gross profit

 

52,738

   

47,057

   

93,060

   

79,730

Operating expenses:

                     

    Advertising, promotional and selling expenses

 

32,620

   

29,368

   

59,126

   

54,746

    General and administrative expenses

 

6,130

   

5,381

   

11,428

   

10,307

    Write-off of brewery costs

 

3,443

   

-

   

3,443

   

-

 


 


 


 


        Total operating expenses

 

42,193

   

34,749

   

73,997

   

65,053

 


 


 


 


Operating income

 

10,545

   

12,308

   

19,063

   

14,677

Other income, net:

                     

Interest income

 

1,074

   

711

   

2,039

   

1,299

Other income, net

 

172

   

170

   

339

   

231

 


 


 


 


        Total other income, net

 

1,246

   

881

   

2,378

   

1,530

 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

 

11,791

   

13,189

   

21,441

   

16,207

Provision for income taxes

 

5,000

   

5,203

   

8,882

   

6,400

 


 


 


 


        Net income

$

6,791

 

$

7,986

 

$

12,559

 

$

9,807

 


 


 


 


                       

Net income per common share - basic

$

0.48

 

$

0.57

   

$ 0.89

 

$

0.71

 


 


 


 


Net income per common share - diluted

$

0.46

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.86

 

$

0.69

 


 


 


 


                       

Weighted-average number of common shares - basic

 

14,204

   

13,919

   

14,161

   

13,888

 


 


 


 


Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted

 

14,680

   

14,346

   

14,638

   

14,320

 


 


 


 


               


Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, including quarterly financial results, are available

on the Internet at www.bostonbeer.com


<PAGE>  

Consolidated Balance Sheets:

  (in thousands, except share data)

 
 

(unaudited)

   
 

June 30,

 

December 30,

 

2007

 

2006

 


 


           

Assets

         

Current Assets:

         

    Cash and cash equivalents

$

72,040 

 

$

63,147 

    Short-term investments

 

20,745 

   

19,223 

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $389 and

         

      $451 as of June 30, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively

 

24,249 

   

17,770 

    Inventories

 

18,559 

   

17,034 

    Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

3,546 

   

2,721 

    Deferred income taxes

 

667 

   

667 

 


 


        Total current assets

 

139,806 

   

120,562 

           

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

32,930 

   

30,699 

Other assets

 

1,755 

   

1,837 

Goodwill

 

1,377 

   

1,377 

 


 


        Total assets

$

175,868 

 

$

154,475 

 


 


           

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

         

Current Liabilities:

         

    Accounts payable

$

21,739 

 

$

17,942 

    Accrued expenses

 

22,486 

   

22,928 

 


 


        Total current liabilities

 

44,225 

   

40,870 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,494 

   

1,494 

Other liabilities

 

3,316 

   

3,522 

 


 


        Total liabilities

 

49,035 

   

45,886 

           

Commitments and Contingencies

         
           

Stockholders' Equity:

         

    Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized;

         

      10,226,304 and 9,992,347 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2007

         

      and December 30, 2006, respectively

 

102 

   

100 

    Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized;

         

      4,107,355 issued and outstanding

 

41 

   

41 

    Additional paid-in capital

 

85,841 

   

80,158 

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

(197)

   

(197)

    Retained earnings

 

41,046 

   

28,487 

 


 


        Total stockholders' equity

 

126,833 

   

108,589 

 


 


        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

175,868 

 

$

154,475 

 


 


<PAGE>  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

  (in thousands)

 
 

(unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended

 


 

June 30,

 

July 1,

 

2007

 

2006

 


 


           

Cash flows provided by operating activities:

         

    Net income

$

12,559 

 

$

9,807 

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

         

      operating activities:

         

        Depreciation and amortization

 

2,939 

   

2,324 

        Write-off of brewery costs

 

3,443 

   

        Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

   

20 

        Bad debt expense

 

20 

   

124 

        Stock-based compensation expense

 

1,445 

   

1,012 

        Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements

 

(1,323)

   

(663)

        Purchases of trading securities

 

(16,290)

   

(26,050)

        Proceeds from sale of trading securities

 

14,768 

   

28,475 

        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

         

            Accounts receivable

 

(6,499)

   

(9,933)

            Inventories

 

(1,525)

   

(267)

            Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(627)

   

(560)

            Accounts payable

 

3,797 

   

2,588 

            Accrued expenses

 

881 

   

2,380 

            Other liabilities

 

(206)

   

(36)

 


 


                Net cash provided by operating activities

 

13,384 

   

9,221 

 


 


           

Cash flows used in investing activities:

         

    Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(8,545)

   

(2,725)

    Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

   

    Increase in other long-term assets

 

   

(548)

 


 


                Net cash used in investing activities

 

(8,543)

   

(3,265)

 


 


           

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

         

    Repurchase of Class A common stock

 

   

(5,262)

    Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

2,574 

   

2,158 

    Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements

 

1,323 

   

663 

    Net proceeds from sale of investment shares

 

155 

   

93 

 


 


                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

4,052 

   

(2,348)

 


 


           

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

8,893 

   

3,608 

           

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

63,147 

   

41,516 

 


 


           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

72,040 

 

$

45,124 

 


 


           

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

         

    Income taxes paid

$

7,203 

 

$

4,726