• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead

2

Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline

3

Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax was designed to hit the wealthy, but it’s sending most New Yorkers to their estate lawyers

1

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead

2

Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline

3

Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax was designed to hit the wealthy, but it’s sending most New Yorkers to their estate lawyers
Retail

Boston Beer Sinks as Competition Takes a Bite Out of Samuel Adams

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 22, 2016, 12:16 PM ET
Inside Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams BreweryInside Boston Beer Company Inc.'s Samuel Adams Brewery
Packaged beer sits ready to be shipped to customers inside Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., on Friday Feb. 17, 2012. Boston Beer Co. will announce its 4th quarter earnings on Feb. 22. Photographer: Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Scott Eisen — Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Shares of Samuel Adams producer Boston Beer (SAM) tumbled Friday after the nation’s second-largest craft brewer said first-quarter results were hurt by increased competition and weak demand for ciders.

The declines to revenue and profit for the first quarter of 2016 were far more bruising than analysts had anticipated, as revenue dropped 5% to $188.8 million while net income tumbled to 53 cents per share from $1 a year earlier. Analysts had projected $198 million in revenue and a profit of 96 cents. Boston Beer also cut the company’s shipments target for 2016.

“We believe Samuel Adams has lost share due to the increased competition and continued growth of drinker interest in variety and innovation,” said Jim Koch, founder and chairman of Boston Beer. As Fortune has reported, there has been some lingering concern that the flagship brand Samuel Adams may be considered too big to be considered “craft” by beer lovers that are always on the hunt for something new.

Boston Beer said in the latest quarter, depletions—or distributor sales to retailers—dropped 5% from a year ago, hurt by declines for Samuel Adams and the Angry Orchard cider brands. Twisted Tea and the craft Coney Island brands still grew in the first three months of the year.

The cider category, which had been performing well, is experiencing a slowdown as consumers try other newer alcoholic beverages, including the recent wave of hard sodas that have hit retail shelves. Boston Beer also admitted that the Samuel Adams brand’s volume was dropping even at a time when craft has been performing well.

With 4,269 breweries–more than ever before–the craft industry has become a highly competitive business category where part of the marketing appeal is selling consumers on a new, highly localized brand.

And the success of craft, which is growing far faster than the roughly $100 billion total beer business, has also led to some investments from Big Beer companies. Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), MillerCoors, Constellation Brands (STZ-B), and Heineken—which together control 81% of the U.S. market—all announced deals last year. That makes the environment even tougher for Boston Beer, as AB InBev is going to use existing relationships to push craft brands it has acquired, including Elysian and 10 Barrel. Constellation will more heavily back Ballast Point, while Heineken will push Lagunitas.

[playbuzz-item url=”//www.playbuzz.com/fortune/vote-whats-your-favorite-craft-beer”]

In a conference call with analysts, Koch acknowledged that AB InBev has been the most acquisitive of the big beer companies, but he said that the arc of growth for those brands didn’t appear to change too dramatically yet.

“I don’t have a crystal ball nor a great insight into how these craft brands will get prioritized within the portfolio that ABI currently has,” he added.

Looking ahead, Boston Beer is hopeful some innovation can help boost results. The company rolled out some new beers earlier this year, including a line of “Nitro” beers that feature nitrogen in place of carbonation. Samuel Adams also debuted a grapefruit IPA, placing a bet on a flavor that has generated some interest from consumers in recent years.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Retail

Meet the jet-setting fashion editor who turned a New York manicure at 23 into Nails.Inc—Despite selling for $40 million, she still wakes at 5:45 a.m.
SuccessFortune The Good Life
Meet the jet-setting fashion editor who turned a New York manicure at 23 into Nails.Inc—Despite selling for $40 million, she still wakes at 5:45 a.m.
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 31, 2026
3 hours ago
The rise of ‘conspicuous waiting’: The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
RetailGen Z
The rise of ‘conspicuous waiting’: The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
By Tatiana SatauaJuly 31, 2026
3 hours ago
tb
North AmericaRestaurants
Taco Bell’s quick action on removing lettuce, $1 Mexican Pizza special work to win over diners, investors
By Dee-Ann Durbin and The Associated PressJuly 30, 2026
20 hours ago
The only thing more surprising than Cracker Barrel CEO’s exit may be its pick to replace her
C-Suitechief executive officer (CEO)
The only thing more surprising than Cracker Barrel CEO’s exit may be its pick to replace her
By Phil WahbaJuly 30, 2026
20 hours ago
A United Parcel Service Inc. logo is displayed on a truck.
RetailCFO Daily
UPS CFO on the lessons learned from scaling back Amazon—and why the strategy is paying off
By Sheryl EstradaJuly 30, 2026
21 hours ago
za
RetailGen Z
‘Am I paying for the vibes?’ Gen Z says it hates capitalism, but their spending patterns show they just don’t like being ripped off
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 30, 2026
23 hours ago

Most Popular

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead
Success
He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead
By Preston ForeJuly 29, 2026
2 days ago
Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline
Retail
Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline
By Sydney LakeJuly 29, 2026
2 days ago
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax was designed to hit the wealthy, but it’s sending most New Yorkers to their estate lawyers
Real Estate
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax was designed to hit the wealthy, but it’s sending most New Yorkers to their estate lawyers
By Catherina GioinoJuly 30, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 30, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 30, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 30, 2026
24 hours ago
'Am I paying for the vibes?' Gen Z says it hates capitalism, but their spending patterns show they just don't like being ripped off
Retail
'Am I paying for the vibes?' Gen Z says it hates capitalism, but their spending patterns show they just don't like being ripped off
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 30, 2026
23 hours ago
Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘hundred year flood’ in memory chip pricing
Big Tech
Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘hundred year flood’ in memory chip pricing
By Alexei OreskovicJuly 30, 2026
10 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.