Edgar Filing: BOSTON BEER CO INC

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2016

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 1-14092

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


MASSACHUSETTS		04-3284048
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation		(I.R.S. Employer
or organization)		Identification No.)

One Design Center Place, Suite 850, Boston, Massachusetts

(Address of principal executive offices)

02210

(Zip Code)

(617) 368-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.)

Yes ☐ No ☒

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of October 14, 2016:


Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value	9,187,787
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value	3,367,355
(Title of each class)	(Number of shares	)

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.

FORM 10-Q

September 24, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS


			PAGE

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements		3

		Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015		3

		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015		4

		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015		5

		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		6-15

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		16-19

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		20

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		20

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		20

	Item 1A.	Risk Factors		20

	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		20

	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		21

	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		21

	Item 5.	Other Information		21

	Item 6.	Exhibits		21

SIGNATURES				23

EX-31.1 Section 302 CEO Certification

EX-31.2 Section 302 CFO Certification

EX-32.1 Section 906 CEO Certification

EX-32.2 Section 906 CFO Certification

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)


	September 24,			December 26,
	2016			2015
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	77,266		$	94,193
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $74 and $244 as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively		46,191			38,984
Inventories		57,232			56,462
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		12,505			12,053
Income tax receivable		5,038			14,928
Deferred income taxes		6,319			6,983

Total current assets		204,551			223,603
Property, plant and equipment, net		410,569			409,926
Other assets		8,692			8,188
Goodwill		3,683			3,683

Total assets	$	627,495		$	645,400

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	36,382		$	42,718
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations		60			58
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		69,847			68,384

Total current liabilities		106,289			111,160
Deferred income taxes		60,801			56,001
Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion		411			471
Other liabilities		9,751			16,547

Total liabilities		177,252			184,179
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note E)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized; 9,119,891 and 9,389,005 issued and outstanding as of September, 24 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively		91			94
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized; 3,367,355 and 3,367,355 issued and outstanding as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively		34			34
Additional paid-in capital		349,075			290,096
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(1,041	)		(951	)
Retained earnings		102,084			171,948

Total stockholders’ equity		450,243			461,221

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	627,495		$	645,400

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)


	Thirteen weeks ended						Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 24,			September 26,			September 24,			September 26,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Revenue	$	271,225		$	312,638		$	734,459		$	794,193
Less excise taxes		17,792			19,544			47,383			49,392

Net revenue		253,433			293,094			687,076			744,801
Cost of goods sold		119,826			136,084			335,062			351,950

Gross profit		133,607			157,010			352,014			392,851
Operating expenses:
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses		63,817			78,205			186,318			209,823
General and administrative expenses		19,481			17,707			62,325			52,972
Impairment of assets		—			218			37			218

Total operating expenses		83,298			96,130			248,680			263,013

Operating income		50,309			60,880			103,334			129,838
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income (expense), net		22			—			65			7
Other income (expense), net		(169	)		(527	)		(594	)		(798	)

Total other income (expense), net		(147	)		(527	)		(529	)		(791	)

Income before income tax provision		50,162			60,353			102,805			129,047
Provision for income taxes		18,632			21,729			37,622			46,748

Net income	$	31,530		$	38,624		$	65,183		$	82,299

Net income per common share - basic	$	2.53		$	2.93		$	5.16		$	6.20

Net income per common share - diluted	$	2.48		$	2.85		$	5.05		$	6.02

Weighted-average number of common shares - Class A basic		9,018			9,655			9,191			9,667

Weighted-average number of common shares - Class B basic		3,367			3,467			3,367			3,539

Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted		12,641			13,507			12,853			13,602

Net income	$	31,530		$	38,624		$	65,183		$	82,299

Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		2			(14	)		(90	)		(13	)

Comprehensive income	$	31,532		$	38,610		$	65,093		$	82,286

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)


	Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 24,			September 26,
	2016			2015
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	65,183		$	82,299
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		37,305			31,577
Impairment of assets		37			218
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		553			342
Bad debt (recovery) expense		(170	)		12
Stock-based compensation expense		8,122			5,218
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements		(12,387	)		(13,113	)
Deferred income taxes		5,464			(1,012	)
Foreign currency transactions		(90	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(7,037	)		(20,273	)
Inventories		(2,897	)		(6,010	)
Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable and other assets		11,841			20,662
Accounts payable		(4,571	)		12,167
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		13,365			22,609
Other liabilities		(6,356	)		7,777

Net cash provided by operating activities		108,362			142,473

Cash flows used in investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(37,108	)		(55,606	)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment		4			—
Cash paid for acquisition of intangible assets		—			(100	)
Decrease in restricted cash		62			57

Net cash used in investing activities		(37,042	)		(55,649	)

Cash flows used in financing activities:
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock		(138,055	)		(83,794	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		37,452			41,000
Payment of taxes related to exercise of stock options		(510	)		—
Cash paid on note payable		(58	)		(54	)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements		12,387			13,113
Net proceeds from sale of investment shares		537			1,121

Net cash used in financing activities		(88,247	)		(28,614	)

Change in cash and cash equivalents		(16,927	)		58,210
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		94,193			76,402

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	77,266		$	134,612

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	$	21,939		$	23,992

Income taxes refunded	$	12,002		$	17,225

Increase in accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment	$	1,235		$	775

Decrease in accounts payable for repurchase of Class A Common Stock	$	(3,000	)	$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.	Organization and Basis of Presentation

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. and certain subsidiaries (the “Company”) are engaged in the business of brewing and selling alcohol beverages throughout the United States and in selected international markets, under the trade names, “The Boston Beer Company,” “Twisted Tea Brewing Company,” “Angry Orchard Cider Company” and “Hard Seltzer Beverage Company”. The Company’s Samuel Adams^® beers are produced and sold under the trade name “The Boston Beer Company”. A&S Brewing Collaborative LLC, d/b/a A&S Brewing (“A&S”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sells beer under various trade names including “The Traveler Beer Company” and “Coney Island Brewing Company”.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 24, 2016, and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows for the interim periods ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 24, 2016 and the results of its consolidated operations and consolidated cash flows for the interim periods ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods presented. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

B.	Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process and finished goods. Raw materials, which principally consist of hops, apple juice, other brewing materials and packaging, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out basis, or market. The Company’s goal is to maintain on hand a supply of at least one year for essential hop varieties, in order to limit the risk of an unexpected reduction in supply. Inventories are generally classified as current assets. The Company classifies hops inventory in excess of two years of forecasted usage in other long term assets. The cost elements of work in process and finished goods inventory consist of raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventories consist of the following:


	September 24,			December 26,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	41,354		$	42,123
Work in process		10,201			8,876
Finished goods		10,602			8,261

		62,157			59,260
Less portion in other long term assets		(4,925	)		(2,798	)

	$	57,232		$	56,462

C.	Net Income per Share

The Company calculates net income per share using the two-class method, which requires the Company to allocate net income to its Class A Common Shares, Class B Common Shares and unvested share-based payment awards that participate in dividends with common stock, in the calculation of net income per share.

The Class A Common Stock has no voting rights, except (1) as required by law, (2) for the election of Class A Directors, and (3) that the approval of the holders of the Class A Common Stock is required for (a) certain future authorizations or issuances of additional securities which have rights senior to Class A Common Stock, (b) certain alterations of rights or terms of the Class A or Class B Common Stock as set forth in the Articles of Organization of the Company, (c) other amendments of the Articles of Organization of the Company, (d) certain mergers or consolidations with, or acquisitions of, other entities, and (e) sales or dispositions of any significant portion of the Company’s assets.

The Class B Common Stock has full voting rights, including the right to (1) elect a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors and (2) approve all (a) amendments to the Company’s Articles of Organization, (b) mergers or consolidations with, or acquisitions of, other entities, (c) sales or dispositions of any significant portion of the Company’s assets, and (d) equity-based and other executive compensation and other significant corporate matters. The Company’s Class B Common Stock is not listed for trading. Each share of the Class B Common Stock is freely convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock, upon request of any Class B holder, and participates equally in dividends.

The Company’s unvested share-based payment awards include unvested shares (1) issued under the Company’s investment share program, which permits employees who have been with the Company for at least one year to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock and to purchase those shares at a discount ranging from 20% to 40% below market value based on years of employment starting after two years of employment, and (2) awarded as restricted stock awards at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The investment shares and restricted stock awards generally vest over five years in equal number of shares. The unvested shares participate equally in dividends. See Note I for a discussion of the current year unvested stock awards and issuances.

Included in the computation of net income per diluted common share are dilutive outstanding stock options that are vested or expected to vest. At its discretion, the Board of Directors grants stock options to senior management and certain key employees. The terms of the employee stock options are determined by the Board of Directors at the time of grant. To date, stock options granted to employees vest over various service periods and/or based on the attainment of certain performance criteria and generally expire after ten years. The Company also grants stock options to its non-employee directors upon election or re-election to the Board of Directors. The number of option shares granted to non-employee directors is calculated based on a defined formula and these stock options vest immediately upon grant and expire after ten years.

Net Income per Common Share - Basic

The following table sets forth the computation of basic net income per share using the two-class method:


	Thirteen weeks ended				Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 24,		September 26,		September 24,		September 26,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per share data)				(in thousands, except per share data)
Net Income	$	31,530	$	38,624	$	65,183	$	82,299

Allocation of net income for basic:
Class A Common Stock	$	22,841	$	28,286	$	47,465	$	59,963
Class B Common Stock		8,529		10,159		17,390		21,951
Unvested participating shares		160		179		328		385

	$	31,530	$	38,624	$	65,183	$	82,299
Weighted average number of shares for basic:
Class A Common Stock		9,018		9,655		9,191		9,667
Class B Common Stock*		3,367		3,467		3,367		3,539
Unvested participating shares		63		61		64		62

		12,448		13,183		12,622		13,268
Net income per share for basic:
Class A Common Stock	$	2.53	$	2.93	$	5.16	$	6.20

Class B Common Stock	$	2.53	$	2.93	$	5.16	$	6.20

*	Change in Class B Common Stock resulted from the conversion of 100,000 shares to Class A Common Stock on October 26, 2015 and 150,000 shares to Class A common Stock on May 6, 2015, with the thirteen and thirty-nine week number of shares reflecting the weighted average for the periods.

Net Income per Common Share - Diluted

The Company calculates diluted net income per share for common stock using the more dilutive of (1) the treasury stock method, or (2) the two-class method, which assumes the participating securities are not exercised.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted net income per share, assuming the conversion of all Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock and using the two-class method for unvested participating shares:


	Thirteen weeks ended
	September 24, 2016						September 26, 2015
	Earnings to Common Shareholders		Common Shares		EPS		Earnings to Common Shareholders		Common Shares		EPS
	(in thousands, except per share data)
As reported - basic	$	22,841		9,018	$	2.53	$	28,286		9,655	$	2.93
Add: effect of dilutive potential common shares
Share-based awards		—		256				—		385
Class B Common Stock		8,529		3,367				10,159		3,467
Net effect of unvested participating shares		3		—				5		—

Net income per common share - diluted	$	31,373		12,641	$	2.48	$	38,450		13,507	$	2.85


	Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 24, 2016						September 26, 2015
	Earnings to Common Shareholders		Common Shares		EPS		Earnings to Common Shareholders		Common Shares		EPS
	(in thousands, except per share data)
As reported - basic	$	47,465		9,191	$	5.16	$	59,963		9,667	$	6.20
Add: effect of dilutive potential common shares
Share-based awards		—		295				—		396
Class B Common Stock		17,390		3,367				21,951		3,539
Net effect of unvested participating shares		7		—				11		—

Net income per common share - diluted	$	64,862		12,853	$	5.05	$	81,925		13,602	$	6.02

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, weighted-average stock options to purchase approximately 740,000 and 704,000 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock were outstanding but not included in computing diluted income per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, weighted-average stock options to purchase approximately 17,000 and 10,000 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock were outstanding but not included in computing diluted income per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive. Additionally, performance-based stock options to purchase 35,000 and 37,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were outstanding as of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively, but not included in computing diluted income per common share because the performance criteria of these stock options was not met as of the end of the reporting period.

Of the performance-based stock options to purchase 35,000 shares of Class A Common Stock that were excluded from computing diluted net income per common share as of September 24, 2016, 30,000 shares were granted in 2016 to two key employees. The vesting of these shares requires annual depletions, or sales by distributors to retailers, of certain of the Company’s brands to attain various thresholds during the period from 2016 to 2023. The remaining 5,000 shares were granted in 2016 to executive officers and the vesting of these shares requires annual depletions to attain various thresholds during 2016.

Furthermore, performance-based stock options to purchase 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were not included in computing diluted income per share because the performance criteria of these stock options were not met and the options were cancelled during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016. Service-based stock options to purchase 27,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were not included in computing diluted income per share because the option holders terminated employment prior to vesting and the options were cancelled during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016.

D.	Comprehensive Income or Loss

Comprehensive income or loss represents net income or loss, plus defined benefit plans liability adjustment, net of tax effect and foreign currency translation adjustment. The defined benefit plans liability and foreign currency translation adjustments for the interim periods ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 were not material.

E.	Commitments and Contingencies

Contract Obligations

The Company had outstanding total non-cancelable contract obligations of $207.1 million at September 24, 2016. These obligations are made up of hops, barley and wheat totaling $94.3 million, apples and other ingredients of $39.9 million, advertising contracts of $26.8 million, equipment and machinery of $18.3 million, operating leases of $16.1 million, glass bottles of $5.6 million, and other commitments of $6.1 million.

The Company has entered into contracts for the supply of a portion of its hops requirements. These purchase contracts extend through crop year 2022 and specify both the quantities and prices, denominated in U.S. Dollars, Euros and New Zealand Dollars, to which the Company is committed. Hops purchase commitments outstanding at September 24, 2016 totaled $65.0 million, based on the exchange rates on that date. The Company does not use forward currency exchange contracts and intends to purchase future hops using the exchange rate at the time of purchase.

Currently, the Company has entered into contracts for barley and wheat with two major suppliers. The contracts include crop year 2015 and 2016 and cover the Company’s barley, wheat, and malt requirements for 2016 and part of 2017. These purchase commitments outstanding at September 24, 2016 totaled $29.3 million.

The Company sources some of its glass bottles needs pursuant to a Glass Bottle Supply Agreement with Anchor Glass Container Corporation (“Anchor”), under which Anchor is the supplier of certain glass bottles for the Company’s Cincinnati Brewery and its Pennsylvania Brewery. This agreement also establishes the terms on which Anchor may supply glass bottles to other breweries where the Company brews its beers. Under the agreement with Anchor, the Company has minimum purchase commitments that are based on Company-provided production estimates which, under normal business conditions, are expected to be fulfilled. Minimum purchase commitments under the agreement, assuming the supplier is unable to replace lost production capacity cancelled by the Company, as of September 24, 2016 totaled $5.6 million.

The Company has various operating lease agreements for facilities and equipment as of September 24, 2016. Terms of these leases include, in some instances, scheduled rent increases, renewals, purchase options and maintenance costs, and vary by lease. These lease obligations expire at various dates through 2021. The contractual obligation on these lease agreements as of September 24, 2016 totaled $16.1 million.

Currently, the Company brews and packages more than 95% of its volume at Company-owned breweries. In the normal course of its business, the Company has historically entered into various production arrangements with other brewing companies. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Company purchases the liquid produced by those brewing companies, including the raw materials that are used in the liquid, at the time such liquid goes into fermentation. The Company is required to repurchase all unused raw materials purchased by the brewing company specifically for the Company’s beers at the brewing company’s cost upon termination of the production arrangement. The Company is also obligated to meet annual volume requirements in conjunction with certain production arrangements. These requirements are not material to the Company’s operations.

Litigation

The Company is not a party to any pending or threatened litigation, the outcome of which would be expected to have a material adverse effect upon its financial condition or the results of its operations. In general, while the Company believes it conducts its business appropriately in accordance with laws, regulations and industry guidelines, claims, whether or not meritorious, could be asserted against the Company that might adversely impact the Company’s results.

F.	Income Taxes

As of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, the Company had approximately $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of unrecognized income tax benefits.

The Company’s practice is to classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, the Company had $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, accrued for interest and penalties.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company received a $12.0 million refund from the Internal Revenue Service of an overpayment of its 2015 estimated tax. The refund resulted from the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, which was enacted after payment of 2015 corporate estimated tax payments that were due on December 15, 2015 and allowed the Company to claim accelerated tax depreciation on qualified property, plant, and equipment additions, and a research & development tax credit on the 2015 federal corporate income tax return.

The Company’s federal and state income tax returns remain subject to examination for three or four years depending on the state’s statute of limitations. The Company is being audited by two states as of September 24, 2016. In addition, the Company is generally obligated to report changes in taxable income arising from federal income tax audits.

Debt

Line of Credit

The Company has a credit facility in place that provides for a $150.0 million revolving line of credit which expires on March 31, 2019. As of September 24, 2016, the Company was not in violation of any of its covenants to the lender under the credit facility and there were no borrowings outstanding, so that the line of credit was fully available to the Company for borrowing.

H.	Fair Value Measures

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

•

Level 1 — Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

•

Level 2 — Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•

Level 3 — Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

All financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) have been segregated into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date. The assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the table below (in thousands):


	As of September 24, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	75,919	$	—	$	—	$	75,919

	As of December 26, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	88,108	$	—	$	—	$	88,108

The Company’s cash equivalents listed above represent money market funds and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The money market funds were invested substantially in United States Treasury and government securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents held in money market funds. At September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, the Company had money market funds with a “Triple A” rated money market fund. The Company considers the “Triple A” rated money market fund to be a large, highly-rated investment-grade institution. As of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $77.3 million and $94.2 million, respectively, including money market funds amounting to $75.9 million and $88.1 million, respectively.

Cash, certificates of deposit, receivables and payables are carried at their cost, which approximates fair value, because of their short-term nature. Financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are summarized in the table below (in thousands):


	As of September 24, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Note payable	$	—	$	400	$	—	$	400

	As of December 26, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Note payable	$	—	$	458	$	—	$	458

I.	Common Stock and Stock-Based Compensation

Option Activity

Information related to stock options under the Employee Equity Incentive Plan and the Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors is summarized as follows:


				Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years		(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 26, 2015		1,127,162		$	63.99
Granted		765,112			199.05
Forfeited		(40,352	)		196.86
Expired		(1,712	)		241.79
Exercised		(496,930	)		77.31

Outstanding at September 24, 2016		1,353,280		$	138.45		6.44	$	56,081

Exercisable at September 24, 2016		236,947		$	79.25		3.79	$	18,454

Vested and expected to vest at September 24, 2016		1,297,464		$	137.91		6.42	$	54,200

Of the total options outstanding at September 24, 2016, 94,860 shares were performance-based options.

On January 1, 2016, the Company granted the Chief Executive Officer an option to purchase 574,507 shares of its Class A Common Stock, which vests over a five-year period, commencing on January 1, 2019, at the rate of 20% per year. The exercise price is determined by multiplying $201.91 by the aggregate percentage change in the DJ Wilshire 5000 Index from and after January 1, 2016 through the close of business on the trading date next preceding each date on which the option is exercised, plus an additional 1.5 percentage points per annum, prorated for partial years. The exercise price will not be less than $201.91 per share and the excess of the fair value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock over the exercise price cannot exceed $150.00 per share. The Company is accounting for this award as a market-based award which was valued utilizing the Monte Carlo Simulation pricing model, which calculates multiple potential outcomes for an award and establishes fair value based on the most likely outcome. Under the Monte Carlo Simulation pricing model, the Company calculated the weighted average fair value per share to be $39.16. At September 24, 2016, the stock option remained unexercised as to 574,507 shares. If the stock option had been exercised on September 24, 2016, the exercise price would have been $217.53 per share.

Additionally, on January 1, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 88,629 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to senior management with a weighted average fair value of $96.29 per share, of which 70,502 shares relate to other special long-term service-based retention stock options and 18,127 shares relate to performance-based stock options.

On February 23, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 67,255 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock with a weighted average fair value of $89.21. These shares relate to long-term service-based stock options issued to newly hired members of senior management.

On April 26, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 20,681 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock with a weighted average fair value of $72.53. These shares relate to performance-based stock options issued to a newly hired member of senior management.

On May 25, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 14,040 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to the Company’s non-employee Directors. These options have a weighted average fair value of $73.70 per share. All of the options vested immediately on the date of the grant.

On January 1, 2008, the Company granted the Chief Executive Officer a stock option to purchase 753,864 shares of its Class A Common Stock, which vests over a five-year period, commencing on January 1, 2014, at the rate of 20% per year. The exercise price is determined by multiplying $42.00 by the aggregate change in the DJ Wilshire 5000 Index from and after January 1, 2008 through the close of business on the trading date next preceding each date on which the option is exercised. The exercise price will not be less than $37.65 per share and the excess of the fair value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock over the exercise price cannot exceed $70.00 per share. At September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, the stock option remained unexercised as to 301,546 shares and 452,319 shares, respectively. If the stock option had been exercised on September 24, 2016, the exercise price would have been $82.30 per share. If the stock option had been exercised on September 26, 2015, the exercise price would have been $147.48 per share.

Non-Vested Shares Activity

The following table summarizes vesting activities of shares issued under the investment share program and restricted stock awards:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
Non-vested at December 26, 2015		60,922		$	150.03
Granted		27,221			161.39
Vested		(19,740	)		114.12
Forfeited		(6,322	)		154.30

Non-vested at September 24, 2016		62,081		$	166.00

On January 1, 2016, the Company granted 8,921 shares of restricted stock awards to certain senior managers and key employees of which all shares vest ratably over service periods of five years. On January 1, 2016, employees elected to purchase 9,199 shares under the investment share program. The weighted average fair value of the restricted stock awards and investment shares, which are sold to employees at discount under its investment share program, was $201.91 and $91.55 per share, respectively.

On February 23, 2016 the Company granted 9,101 shares of restricted stock awards to newly hired members of senior management of which all shares vest ratably over service periods of three years. The weighted average fair value of these restricted stock awards was $192.26.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense related to share-based awards recognized in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 was $2.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively, and was calculated based on awards expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense related to share-based awards recognized in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 was $1.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and was calculated based on awards expected to vest.

J.	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance. Under this update, an entity is required to recognize revenue upon transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. As such, an entity will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. ASU 2014-09 is to be applied retrospectively either to each prior reporting period presented in the financial statements, or only to the most current reporting period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company will elect to apply the impact (if any) of applying ASU 2014-09 to the most current reporting period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year, making it effective for the year beginning December 31, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2014-09 and has preliminarily concluded that it will not significantly affect how revenue for contracts with customers is recognized.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330), Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 is part of the FASB’s initiative to simplify accounting standards. The guidance requires an entity to recognize inventory within scope of the standard at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. ASU 2015-11 will be effective prospectively for the year beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2015-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases with terms of more than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 will be effective retrospectively for the year beginning December 30, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Contractual obligation on lease agreements as of September 24, 2016 totaled $16.1 million.

In March, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 is part of the FASB’s initiative to simplify accounting standards. The guidance impacts several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including accounting for income taxes and forfeitures, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a result of stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting are to be recognized as discrete items within income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits and deficiencies should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for the year beginning January 1, 2017 and may be applied retrospectively or prospectively. The impact ASU 2016-09 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will mainly depend on unpredictable future events, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value when those options were granted. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements was $12.4 million and $13.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively.

K.	Subsequent Events

On October 6, 2016, the Board of Directors approved an increase of $180.0 million to the previously approved $601.0 million share buyback expenditure limit for a new limit of $781.0 million.

On October 17, 2016, the Company sold 52.7 acres of vacant land in Freetown, Massachusetts for $4.3 million, net of closing costs. The Company purchased the land for $6.0 million during 2007 and subsequently reduced the land’s carrying value to reflect perceived market conditions. As of September 24, 2016, this land was included in property, plant and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet at a book value of $3.3 million. The $1.0 million accounting gain related to this sale will be recognized on the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income in the fourth quarter.

The Company evaluated subsequent events occurring after the balance sheet date, September 24, 2016, and concluded that there were no other events of which management was aware that occurred after the balance sheet date that would require any adjustment to or disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity and cash flows of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (the “Company” or “Boston Beer”) for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 24, 2016, as compared to the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 26, 2015. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Thirteen Weeks Ended September 24, 2016 compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended September 26, 2015

Net revenue. Net revenue decreased by $39.7 million, or 13.5%, to $253.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $293.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, due primarily to decreased shipments and product mix effects, partially offset by price increases.

Volume. Total shipment volume decreased by 11.9% to 1,131,000 barrels for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 1,284,000 barrels for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, due primarily to declines in shipments of Coney Island, Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Traveler brand products, partially offset by increases in Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Twisted Tea brand products.

Depletions, or sales by distributors to retailers, of the Company’s products for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 decreased by approximately 8% compared to the comparable thirteen-week period in 2015, primarily due to declines in depletions of Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard, Coney Island and Traveler brand products, partially offset by increases in Twisted Tea and Truly Spiked & Sparkling brand products.

The Company believes distributor inventory levels at September 24, 2016 were appropriate. Inventory at distributors participating in the Freshest Beer Program at September 24, 2016 decreased slightly in terms of days of inventory on hand when compared to September 26, 2015. The Company has approximately 77% of its volume on the Freshest Beer Program.

Net revenue per barrel. Net revenue per barrel decreased by 1.9% to $224.05 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $228.33 per barrel for the comparable period in 2015, due primarily to product mix effects, partially offset by price increases.

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $105.93 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $106.02 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. The 2016 decrease in cost of goods sold of $0.08 per barrel is primarily the result of product mix effects and cost saving initiatives in the Company breweries partially offset by unfavorable fixed cost absorption.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $118.12 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $122.32 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. Gross margin was 52.7% for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 53.6% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. The decrease in gross profit per barrel of $4.20 is primarily due to a decrease in net revenue per barrel, partially offset by a decrease in cost of goods sold per barrel.

The Company includes freight charges related to the movement of finished goods from its manufacturing locations to distributor locations in its advertising, promotional and selling expense line item. As such, the Company’s gross margins may not be comparable to those of other entities that classify costs related to distribution differently.

Advertising, promotional and selling. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses decreased by $14.4 million, or 18.4%, to $63.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $78.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of lower media spending and decreases in freight to distributors due to lower volume and lower freight rates.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were 25% of net revenue, or $56.42 per barrel, for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 27% of net revenue, or $60.93 per barrel, for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. The Company invests in advertising and promotional campaigns that it believes will be effective, but there is no guarantee that such investments will generate sales growth.

The Company conducts certain advertising and promotional activities in its distributors’ markets, and the distributors make contributions to the Company for such efforts. These amounts are included in the Company’s statements of comprehensive income as reductions to advertising, promotional and selling expenses. Historically, contributions from distributors for advertising and promotional activities have amounted to between 2% and 4% of net sales. The Company may adjust its promotional efforts in the distributors’ markets if changes occur in these promotional contribution arrangements, depending on industry and market conditions.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $1.8 million, or 10.0%, to $19.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $17.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. The increase was primarily due to increases in stock compensation and salary and benefits costs.

Provision for income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 was 37.1%, a 1.1 percentage point increase from the 36.0% rate incurred in the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. This increase was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income without a corresponding decrease in non-deductible items.

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2016 compared to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 26, 2015

Net revenue. Net revenue decreased by $57.7 million, or 7.8%, to $687.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $744.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, due primarily to decreased shipments and product mix effect, partially offset by price increases.

Volume. Total shipment volume decreased by 7.7% to 3,045,000 barrels for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 3,297,000 barrels for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, due primarily to decreases in shipments of Samuel Adams. Angry Orchard, Coney Island and Traveler brand products, partially offset by increases in Twisted Tea and Truly Spiked & Sparkling brand products.

Depletions, or sales by distributors to retailers, of the Company’s products for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 decreased by approximately 6% compared to the comparable thirty-nine week period in 2015, due primarily to decreases in depletions of Samuel Adams. Angry Orchard, and Traveler brand products, partially offset by increases in Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Coney Island brand products.

Net revenue per barrel. Net revenue per barrel decreased by 0.1% to $225.63 per barrel for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $225.87 per barrel for the comparable period in 2015, due primarily to product mix effects, partially offset by price increases.

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $110.03 per barrel for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $106.73 per barrel for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. The 2016 increase in cost of goods sold of $3.30 per barrel is the result of unfavorable fixed cost absorption and product mix effects partially offset by cost saving initiatives in the Company breweries.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $115.60 per barrel for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $119.14 per barrel for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. Gross margin was 51.2% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 52.7% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. The decrease in gross profit per barrel of $3.54 is primarily due to an increase in cost of goods sold per barrel.

Advertising, promotional and selling. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses decreased $23.5 million, or 11.2%, to $186.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $209.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of decreases in freight to distributors due to lower volume and lower freight rates and lower media spending.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were 27% of net revenue, or $61.19 per barrel, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to 28% of net revenue, or $63.63 per barrel, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $9.4 million, or 17.7%, to $62.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $53.0 million for the comparable period in 2015. The increase was primarily due to increases in stock compensation, salary and benefits and facilities costs.

Provision for income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 was 36.6%, a 0.4 percentage point increase from the 36.2% rate incurred in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in pretax income without a corresponding decrease in non-deductible items.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash decreased to $77.3 million as of September 24, 2016 from $94.2 million as of December 26, 2015, reflecting cash used in financing activities and for purchases of property, plant and equipment that was only partially offset by cash provided by operating activities.

Cash provided by or used in operating activities consists of net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, other non-cash items included in operating results, and changes in operating assets and liabilities, such as accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 was $108.4 million and primarily consisted of net income of $65.2 million and non-cash items of $38.8 million, and a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $4.4 million which includes a $12 million tax refund in the first quarter of 2016. Cash provided by operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 was $142.5 million and primarily consisted of net income of $82.3 million and a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $36.9 million which includes a $17.2 million tax refund in the first quarter of 2015, and non-cash items of $23.2 million.

The Company used $37.0 million in investing activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $55.6 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. Investing activities primarily consisted of discretionary equipment purchases to upgrade the Company-owned breweries.

Cash used in financing activities was $88.2 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, as compared to $28.6 million used in financing activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015. The $59.6 million increase in cash used in financing activities in 2016 from 2015 is primarily due to an increase in stock repurchases under the Company’s Stock Repurchase Program.

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and the period from September 25, 2016 through October 14, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 807,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $138.4 million. The Board of Directors increased the aggregate expenditure limit for the Company’s Stock Repurchase Program by $15.0 million and $180.0 million on July 27, 2016 and October 6, 2016, respectively, thereby increasing the limit from $586.0 million to $781.0 million. As of October 14, 2016, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 12.3 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $584.5 million and had approximately $196.5 million remaining on the $781.0 million stock repurchase expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

The Company expects that its cash balance as of September 24, 2016 of $77.3 million, along with future operating cash flow and the Company’s unused line of credit of $150.0 million, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements. The Company’s $150.0 million credit facility has a term not scheduled to expire until March 31, 2019. As of the date of this filing, the Company was not in violation of any of its covenants to the lender under the credit facility and there were no amounts outstanding under the credit facility.

2016 and 2017 Outlook

Year-to-date depletions through the 41 weeks ended October 8, 2016 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately 6% from the comparable period in 2015.

The Company is now targeting earnings per diluted share for 2016 of between $6.30 and $6.70, a decrease and narrowing of the range from the previously communicated estimate of $6.40 to $7.00, but actual results could vary significantly from this target. The 2016 fiscal year includes 53 weeks compared to the 2015 fiscal year which included only 52 weeks. The Company is currently planning that 2016 depletions and shipments change will be between minus 6% and minus 2%, a decrease of the range from the previously communicated estimate of change between minus 4% and zero. The Company is targeting price increases per barrel of between 1% and 2%, with full-year 2016 gross margins of between 50% and 52%. Investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses are forcasted between a decrease of $10 million and flat for the full year 2016, a decrease in the range from the previously communicated estimate of between a decrease of $5 million and an increase of $5 million. These estimates do not include any increases or decreases in freight costs for the shipment of products to its Distributors. The Company estimates a full-year 2016 effective tax rate of approximately 36%.

The Company is completing its 2017 planning process and will provide further detailed guidance when the Company presents its full-year 2016 results. The Company is currently using the following preliminary assumptions and targets for 2017, which represents a 52-week fiscal year compared to the 53-week fiscal year in 2016. The Company is forecasting depletion and shipment change of between minus low single digits and plus low single digits. The Company is targeting price increases per barrel of between 1% and 2%. Full-year 2017 gross margins are currently expected to be between 51% and 53%. The Company intends to increase advertising, promotional and selling expenses between $10 million and $20 million for the full year 2017, which does not include any increases in freight costs for the shipment of products to its distributors. The Company intends to increase its investment in its brands in 2017 commensurate with the opportunities for growth that it sees, but there is no guarantee that such increased investments will result in increased volumes. The Company estimates a full-year 2017 effective tax rate of approximately 36.3%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09 which is effective for the company on January 1, 2017. The Company is not currently planning to provide forward guidance on the impact that ASU 2016-09 will have on 2017 financial statements and full-year effective tax rate as this will mainly depend upon unpredictable future events, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value when those options were granted.

The Company is continuing to evaluate 2016 capital expenditures. Its current estimates are between $55 million and $65 million, a decrease of the range from the previously communicated estimate of between $60 million to $70 million. The Company estimates full-year 2017 capital spending of between $40 million and $60 million. The capital will be mostly spent in the Company’s breweries to drive efficiencies and cost reductions, support product innovation and future growth. The actual total amount spent on 2016 and 2017 capital expenditures may well be different from these estimates.

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF KNOWN FACTS, COMMITMENTS, EVENTS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

At September 24, 2016, the Company did not have off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in 03(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Contractual Obligations

There were no material changes outside of the ordinary course of the Company’s business to contractual obligations during the three-month period ended September 24, 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies

There were no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the three month period ended September 24, 2016.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other documents incorporated herein, as well as in oral statements made by the Company, statements that are prefaced with the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “designed” and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements regarding events, conditions,

and financial trends that may affect the Company’s future plans of operations, business strategy, results of operations and financial position. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances about which the Company can give no firm assurance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future financial condition or results. These forward-looking statements, like any forward-looking statements, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the factors set forth below in addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Since December 26, 2015, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s exposures to interest rate or foreign currency rate fluctuations. The Company currently does not enter into derivatives or other market risk sensitive instruments for the purpose of hedging or for trading purposes.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of September 24, 2016, the Company conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods and that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 24, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 there were no material changes to the disclosure made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015.

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, careful consideration should be given to the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015, which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that it currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Item 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Board of Directors increased the aggregate expenditure limit for the Company’s Stock Repurchase Program by $15.0 million and $180.0 million on July 27, 2016 and October 6, 2016, respectively, thereby increasing the limit from $586.0 million to $781.0 million. As of October 14, 2016, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 12.3 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $584.5 million and had $196.5 million remaining on the $781.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016, the Company repurchased 788,547 shares of its Class A Common Stock as illustrated in the table below:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 27, 2015 to January 30, 2016		129,322	$	178.33		128,798	$	55,912,890
January 31, 2016 to February 27, 2016		103,605		183.12		103,328		86,961,273
February 28, 2016 to March 26, 2016		100,719		187.34		100,407		68,215,806
March 27, 2016 to April 30, 2016		143,676		173.98		143,352		54,167,002
May 1, 2016 to May 28, 2016		130,318		153.69		129,964		34,182,017
May 29, 2016 to June 25, 2016		119,987		158.41		119,519		15,231,260
June 26, to July 30, 2016		28,020		168.85		27,723		25,533,994
July 31, 2016 to August 27, 2016		12,876		184.54		12,732		23,175,199
August 28, 2016 to September 24, 2016		20,025		166.41		19,961		19,851,706

Total		788,548	$	171.68		785,784	$	19,851,706

Of the shares that were repurchased during the period, 2,764 shares represent repurchases of unvested investment shares issued under the Investment Share Program of the Company’s Employee Equity Incentive Plan.

As of October 14, 2016, the Company had 9.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and 3.4 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

Item 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

Item 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable

Item 6.

EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.		Title

11.1		The information required by Exhibit 11 has been included in Note C of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

*31.1		Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*31.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


Exhibit No.		Title

*32.1		Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*32.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

*101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

*101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

*101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

*101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

*101.DEF		XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

*	Filed with this report

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


				THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.
				(Registrant)

Date: October 20, 2016				/s/ Martin F. Roper
				Martin F. Roper
				President and Chief Executive Officer
				(principal executive officer)

Date: October 20, 2016				/s/ Frank H. Smalla
				Frank H. Smalla
				Chief Financial Officer
				(principal financial officer)

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