BOSTON BEER CO INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2021

OR

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)

(617) 368-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).     Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

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

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 April 16, 2021:

Table of Contents

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.

FORM 10-Q

March 27, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

2

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

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

3

Table of Contents

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

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

4

Table of Contents

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

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

5

Table of Contents

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

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

6

Table of Contents

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 selling alcohol beverages throughout the United States and in selected international markets, under the trade names “The Boston Beer Company®”, “Twisted Tea Brewing Company®”, “Hard Seltzer Beverage Company”, “Angry Orchard® Cider Company”, “Dogfish Head® Craft Brewery”, “Angel City® Brewing Company”, “Coney Island® Brewing Company” and “American Fermentation Company”.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 27, 2021, and the unaudited consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) 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 GAAP have been condensed or omitted. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 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, 2020.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 27, 2021 and the results of its consolidated operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, 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. Reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation which includes the separate presentation of Third-party production prepayments.

B.COVID-19 Pandemic

The Company began seeing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business in early March 2020.  The direct financial impact of the pandemic primarily included significantly reduced keg demand from the on-premise channel and higher labor and safety-related costs at the Company’s breweries. In addition to these direct financial impacts, COVID-19 related safety measures resulted in a reduction of brewery productivity. This has shifted more volume to third-party breweries, which increased production costs and negatively impacted gross margin rates.  In the 13-week period ended March 28, 2020, the Company recorded COVID-19 pre-tax related reductions in net revenue and increases in other costs of $10.0 million.  This amount consists of a $5.8 million reduction in net revenue for estimated keg returns from distributors and retailers and $4.2 million of other COVID-19 related direct costs, of which $3.6 million are recorded in cost of goods sold and $0.6 million are recorded in operating expenses. In 2021 and going forward, the Company has chosen not to report COVID-19 related direct costs separately as they are viewed to be a normal part of operations.  

C. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

There were no changes in the carrying value of goodwill during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020.

The Company’s intangible assets as of March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows:

7

Table of Contents

The Company acquired intangible assets in fiscal year 2019 that consists of $98.5 million for the value of the Dogfish Head brand name and $3.8 million for the value of customer relationships. The customer relationship intangible will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the 15 year useful life. Amortization expense in the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 was approximately $63,000. The Company expects to record amortization expense as follows over the remaining current year and the five subsequent years:

D.Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The standard includes multiple key provisions, including removal of certain exceptions to ASC 740, Income Taxes, and simplification in several other areas such as accounting for a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to retained earnings. .

E. Revenue Recognition

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 approximately 97% of the Company’s revenue was from shipments of its products to domestic distributors, 3% from shipments to international distributors, primarily located in Canada, and less than 1% was from retail beer, cider, and merchandise sales at the Company’s retail locations.  During the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020 approximately 96% of the Company’s revenue was from shipments of its products to domestic distributors, 3% from shipments to international distributors, primarily located in Canada, and 1% was from retail beer, cider, and merchandise sales at the Company’s retail locations.

The Company recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of its products. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring products. If the conditions for revenue recognition are not met, the Company defers the revenue until all conditions are met. As of March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the Company has deferred $24.3 million and $13.9 million, respectively, in revenue related to product shipped prior to these dates.  These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Customer promotional discount programs are entered into by the Company with distributors for certain periods of time.  The reimbursements for discounts to distributors are recorded as reductions to net revenue and were $23.4 million and $8.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively.  The agreed-upon discount rates are applied to certain distributors' sales to retailers, based on volume metrics, in order to determine the total discounted amount.  The computation of the discount allowance requires that management make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the timing and amounts of revenue and liabilities recorded.  Actual promotional discounts owed and paid have historically been in line with allowances recorded by the Company; however, the amounts could differ from the estimated allowance.

Customer programs and incentives are a common practice in the alcohol beverage industry. Amounts paid in connection with customer programs and incentives are recorded as reductions to net revenue or as advertising, promotional and selling expenses, based on the nature of the expenditure.  Customer incentives and other payments made to distributors are primarily based upon performance of certain marketing and advertising activities.  Depending on applicable state laws and regulations, these activities promoting the Company's products may include, but are not limited to point-of-sale and merchandise placement, samples, product displays, promotional programs at retail locations and meals, travel and entertainment. Amounts paid to customers in connection with these programs that were recorded as reductions to revenue or as advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 were $33.5 million and $12.7 million, respectively.  For the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, the Company recorded certain of these costs in the total amounts of $9.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively, as reductions to net revenue.  Costs recognized in net revenues include, but are not limited to, promotional discounts, sales incentives and certain other promotional activities. Costs recognized in advertising, promotional and selling expenses include point of sale materials, samples and media advertising expenditures in local markets.  These costs are recorded as incurred, generally

8

Table of Contents

when invoices are received; however certain estimates are required at the period end.  Estimates are based on historical and projected experience for each type of program or customer and have historically been in line with actual costs incurred.

Shipment volume for the quarter was significantly higher than depletions volume and resulted in significantly higher distributor inventory as of March 27, 2021 when compared to March 28, 2020.  The Company believes distributor inventory as of March 27, 2021 averaged approximately 7 weeks on hand and was at an appropriate level, based on supply chain capacity constraints and inventory requirements to support the forecasted growth of Truly and Twisted Tea brands over the summer. The Company expects wholesaler inventory levels in terms of weeks on hand to be between 3 and 7 weeks for the remainder of the year.

F. Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process and finished goods.  Raw materials, which principally consist of hops, flavorings, apple juice, other brewing materials and packaging, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. 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:

G.Third-party production prepayments

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company brewed and packaged approximately 57% 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 generally supplies raw materials and packaging to those brewing companies, and incurs conversion fees for labor at the time the liquid is produced and packaged. The Company has made payments for capital improvements at these third-party brewing facilities that it expenses over the period of the contracts. As of March 27, 2021, and December 26, 2020 total third-party production prepayments were as follows:

The Company will expense the total prepaid amount of $93.2 million as a component of cost of goods sold over the contractual period ending December 31, 2025.

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company entered into a master transaction agreement with one of its existing brewing services providers to ensure access to capacity at a new location and continued access at certain existing locations.  The agreement is effective upon the closing of the purchase of the new location by the third-party brewing services provider, expected to complete in April 2021. As part of the master transaction agreement, the Company paid $10.0 million for capital improvements for the new location, which amount is included within the third-party production prepayments balance as of March 27, 2021. The Company is required to pay an additional $17.9 million to ensure access to capacity once the third-party brewing services provider closes on the purchase of the new location and certain other conditions are met. The agreement additionally includes monthly shortfall fees beginning January 1, 2023.  Based on current production volume projections, the Company believes that it will meet all annual volume commitments under these production arrangements and will not incur any shortfall fees. If future volume projections are

9

Table of Contents

reduced below the minimum annual volume commitments and the Company estimates that shortfall fees will be incurred, the Company will expense the estimated shortfall fees in the period when incurring the shortfall fees becomes probable.  As of March 27, 2021, if volume for the remaining term of the production arrangements were zero, the contractual shortfall fees would total $67.6 million through December 31, 2026. During the quarter ended March 27, 2021 the Company reclassified the $14.8 million of third-party prepayments at December 26, 2020 from current assets to non-current assets.

H.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 the respective 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 O 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 and restricted stock that are vested or expected to vest.  At its discretion, the Board of Directors grants stock options and restricted stock 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. In December 2018, the Employee Equity Incentive Plan was amended to permit the grant of restricted stock units. The restricted stock units generally vest over four years in equal number of shares. Each restricted stock unit represents an unfunded and unsecured right to receive one share of Class A Stock upon satisfaction of the vesting criteria.  The unvested shares participate equally in dividends and are forfeitable. Prior to March 1, 2019, the Company granted restricted stock awards, generally vesting over five years in equal number of shares. 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.

10

Table of Contents

Net Income per Common Share - Basic

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

*Change in Class B Common Stock resulted from the conversion of 215,000 shares to Class A Common Stock on May 6, 2020 and 130,000 shares to Class A Common Stock on November 3, 2020 with the ending number of shares reflecting the weighted average for the period.

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 for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020:

In accordance with the treasury stock method, weighted-average stock options to purchase approximately 6,035 shares of Class A Common stock and 4,027 unvested share based payments were outstanding during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 but not included in computing dilutive income per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive.  In accordance with the two-class method, weighted average stock options to purchase approximately 33,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were outstanding during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020 but not included in computing dilutive income per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive.  Additionally, performance-based stock options to purchase approximately 10,000 shares of Class A Common Stock

11

Table of Contents

were outstanding as of March 28, 2020 but not included in computing diluted income per common share because the performance criteria of these stock options were not met as of the end of the reporting period.

I.Comprehensive Income or Loss

Comprehensive income or loss represents net income or loss and foreign currency translation adjustment.  The foreign currency translation adjustments for the interim periods ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 were not material.

J. Commitments and Contingencies

Contract Obligations

As of March 27, 2021, projected cash outflows under non-cancelable contractual obligations are as follows:

The majority of these contract obligations are for the 2021 fiscal years with the remainder extending no later than the 2026 fiscal year.

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.

K. Income Taxes

As of March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the Company had approximately $0.8 million of unrecognized income tax benefits as of each date.

The Company’s practice is to classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the Company had $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, accrued for interest and penalties recorded in other liabilities.

The Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the 2015 consolidated corporate income tax return and issued a no change report in 2018. The Company’s state income tax returns remain subject to examination for three or four years depending on the state’s statute of limitations. The Company is currently under two state income tax audits as of March 27, 2021.

The following table provides a summary of the income tax provision for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020:

12

Table of Contents

The benefit of ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, increased by $6.6 million to $8.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 as compared to $2.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily due to increases in number of shares exercised and increases in stock price.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09, increased to 25.6% from 23.6% for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily due to one-time state tax benefits related to capital investments for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

L.Revolving Line of Credit

In March 2018, the Company amended its existing credit facility that provides for a $150.0 million revolving line of credit to extend the scheduled expiration date to March 31, 2023. As of March 27, 2021, the Company was not in violation of any of its financial covenants to the lender under the credit facility and the full balance of $150.0 million under the line of credit was available to the Company for future borrowing.        

M.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).

The Company’s money market funds are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The money market funds are invested substantially in United States Treasury and government securities.  The Company does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments. Cash, receivables and payables are carried at their cost, which approximates fair value, because of their short-term nature.

At March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, 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 March 27, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $144.7 million and $163.3 million, respectively, including money market funds amounting to $140.6 million and $157.6 million, respectively.

13

Table of Contents

N.Common Stock and Stock-Based Compensation

Option Activity

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

Of the total options outstanding at March 27, 2021, 23,019 shares were performance-based options for which the performance criteria had yet to be achieved.

On March 1, 2021, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 8,063 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to senior management with a weighted average fair value of $449.93 per share, of which all shares relate to performance-based stock options.

On March 1, 2021 the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 10,935 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to the Chief Executive Officer with a weighted average fair value of $457.25 per share, of which all shares relate to service-based stock options.

Weighted average assumptions used to estimate fair values of stock options on the date of grants are as follows:

Non-Vested Shares Activity

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

Of the total shares outstanding at March 27, 2021, 2,696 shares were performance-based shares for which the performance criteria had yet to be achieved.

On March 1, 2021, the Company granted a combined 7,817 shares of restricted stock units to certain officers, senior managers and key employees, of which all shares vest ratably over service periods of four years. Additionally on March 1, 2020, the Company granted 4,861 shares of restricted stock units to the Chief Executive Officer, of which all shares vest over five years. On March 1, 2021,

14

Table of Contents

employees elected to purchase a combined 4,954 shares under the Company’s investment share program. The weighted average fair value of the restricted stock units and investment shares, which are sold to employees at discount under its investment share program, was $1,028.71 and $502.32 per share, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table provides information regarding stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income:

O.Related Party Transactions

In connection with the Dogfish Head Transaction, the Company entered a lease with the Dogfish Head founders and other owners of buildings used in certain of the Company’s restaurant operations.  The lease is for ten years with renewal options.  The total payments due under the initial ten year term is $3.6 million.  Total related party expense recognized for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 related to the lease was approximately $91,000. Additionally, during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of less than $50,000 to various other suppliers affiliated with the Dogfish Head founders.        

P.Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events occurring after the balance sheet date, March 27, 2021, and concluded that there were no 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.

15

Table of Contents

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 Company for the thirteen week period ended March 27, 2021, as compared to the thirteen week period ended March 28, 2020.  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, 2020.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Thirteen Weeks Ended March 27, 2021 compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2020

Net revenue.  Net revenue increased by $214.5 million, or 64.9%, to $545.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $330.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in shipments.

Volume. Total shipment volume increased by 60.1% to 2,278,000 barrels for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to 1,423,000 barrels for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily due to increases in shipments of Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea brand, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head products, partially offset by decreases in Samuel Adams brand products.

Depletions, or sales by distributors to retailers, of the Company’s products for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 increased by approximately 48% compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily due to increases in Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brand products, partially offset by decreases in Dogfish Head, Angry Orchard and Samuel Adams brand products.

The Company believes distributor inventory as of March 27, 2021 averaged approximately 7 weeks on hand and was at an appropriate level based on supply chain capacity constraints and inventory requirements to support the forecasted growth of Truly and Twisted Tea brands over the summer. The Company expects wholesaler inventory levels in terms of weeks on hand to be between 3 and 7 weeks for the remainder of the year.

Net revenue per barrel. Net revenue per barrel increased by 3.0% to $239.31 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $233.24 per barrel for the comparable period in 2020, primarily due to price increases, product mix and a $5.8 million reduction in net revenue for estimated keg returns from distributors and retailers recorded in the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

16

Table of Contents

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $129.71 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $128.28 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.  The 2021 increase in cost of goods sold of $1.43 per barrel was primarily the result of higher processing costs due to increased production at third-party breweries, partially offset by cost saving initiatives at the Company-owned breweries and $3.6 million of COVID-19 related direct costs recorded in cost of goods sold in the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

Gross profit.  Gross profit was $109.60 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $103.96 per barrel for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

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 increased by $43.0 million, or 43.9%, to $140.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $97.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020. The increase was primarily due to increased brand investments of $21.0 million, primarily driven by higher media and production costs, higher salaries and benefits costs and increased freight to distributors of $21.9 million that was primarily due to higher volumes and rates.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were 25.8% of net revenue, or $61.84 per barrel, for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to 29.6% of net revenue, or $68.78 per barrel, for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.  This decrease per barrel is primarily due to advertising, promotional and selling expenses growing at a lower rate than shipments.  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 3% 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 $4.9 million, or 18.2%, to $31.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $27.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.  The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits costs.

Impairment of assets.  Impairment of long-lived assets decreased $1.3 million from the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to write-downs of brewery equipment at the Company’s Cincinnati brewery in the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

Income tax expense.  During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $11.0 million which consists of $19.6 million income tax expenses partially offset by an $8.6 million tax benefit related to stock option exercises in accordance with ASU 2016-09.  The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09, increased to 25.6% from 23.6% for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020, primarily due to one-time state tax benefits related to capital investments for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash decreased to $144.7 million as of March 27, 2021 from $163.6 million as of December 26, 2020, reflecting purchases of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities.

Cash provided by 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 thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 was $19.8 million and primarily consisted of net income of $65.6 million and non-cash items of $28.6 million, partially offset by a net increase in operating assets and liabilities of $74.4 million. Cash provided by operating activities for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020 was $18.9 million and primarily consisted of net income of $18.2 million and non-cash items of $24.8 million, partially offset by a net increase in operating assets and liabilities of $24.1 million.

17

Table of Contents

The Company used $38.8 million in investing activities during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $27.3 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.  Investing activities primarily consisted of capital investments made mostly in the Company’s breweries to drive efficiencies and cost reductions and support product innovation and future growth.

Cash provided by financing activities was $0.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, as compared to $101.2 million provided by financing activities during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2020.  The $100.8 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities in 2021 from 2020 is primarily due to $100.0M of borrowings on the Company’s credit facility during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2020.

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 and the period from March 28, 2021 through April 16, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its Class A Common Stock.  As of April 16, 2021, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 13.8 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $840.7 million and had approximately $90.3 million remaining on the $931.0 million stock repurchase expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

The Company expects that its cash balance as of March 27, 2021 of $144.7 million, along with future operating cash flow and the unused balance of the Company’s 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, 2023.  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.

2021 Outlook

Year-to-date depletions through the fifteen weeks ended April 10, 2021 are estimated to have increased approximately 49% from the comparable period in 2020.

The Company is currently estimating 2021 depletions and shipments growth of between 40% and 50%, an increase from the previously communicated range of between 35% and 45%.  The Company is targeting national price increases of between 1% and 3%, an increase from the previously communicated range of between 1% and 2%.  Full-year 2021 gross margins are currently expected to be between 45% and 47%.  The Company intends to increase advertising, promotional and selling expenses by between $130 million and $150 million for the full year 2021, an increase from the previously communicated range of between $120 million and $140 million, not including any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to Distributors.  The Company intends to increase its investment in its brands in 2021, 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 currently projects Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09, for 2021 of between $22.00 and $26.00, an increase from the previously communicate range of between $20.00 and $24.00, but actual results could vary significantly from this target.  The Company estimates a full-year 2021 Non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 26.5%, which excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09.  Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and Non-GAAP effective tax rate are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate data prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. Management believes these Non-GAAP measures provide meaningful and useful information to investors and analysts regarding our outlook and facilitate period to period comparisons of our forecasted financial performance. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and Non-GAAP effective tax rate exclude the potential impact of ASU 2016-09, which could be significant and will depend largely upon unpredictable future events outside the Company’s control, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value of those options when granted. Therefore, because of the uncertainty and variability of the impact of ASU 2016-09, the Company is unable to provide, without unreasonable effort, a reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis.

The Company is continuing to evaluate 2021 capital expenditures.  Its current estimates are between $250 million and $350 million, a decrease of the previously communicated range of between $300 million and $400 million, consisting mostly of investments in capacity and supply chain efficiency improvements. The actual total amount spent on 2021 capital expenditures may well be different from these estimates.  Based on information currently available, the Company believes that its capacity requirements for 2021 can be covered by its Company-owned breweries and existing contracted capacity at third-party brewers.

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

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

At March 27, 2021, the Company did not have off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

18

Table of Contents

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 March 27, 2021.  

Critical Accounting Policies

There were no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the three-month period ended March 27, 2021.

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, 2020.

19

Table of Contents

Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Since December 26, 2020, 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  March 27, 2021, 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.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain employees of the Company began working remotely in March 2020 but these changes to the working environment did not have a material effect on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. There was no other change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

20

Table of Contents

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, 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, 2020.

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, 2020, 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.

21

Table of Contents

Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

As of April 16, 2021, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 13.8 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $840.7 million and had $90.3 million remaining on the $931.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.  During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its Class A Common Stock under the previously announced repurchase program.

During the thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2021, the Company repurchased 183 shares of its Class A Common Stock, of which all represent repurchases of unvested investment shares issued under the Investment Share Program of the Company’s Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as illustrated in the table below:

As of April 16, 2021, the Company had 10.1 million shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and 2.2 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

22

Table of Contents

Item 6.EXHIBITS