BOSTON BEER CO INC

Previous wording

Year Ended December 30, 2023 (52 weeks) Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 (53 weeks)

Current wording

Year Ended December 28, 2024 (52 weeks) Compared to Year Ended December 30, 2023 (52 weeks)

Previous wording

Net revenue. Net revenue decreased by $81.7 million, or 3.9%, to $2,008.6 million for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $2,090.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of lower shipment volume of $129.3 million and $12.6 million of product mix impacts, partially offset by price increases of $60.2 million.

Current wording

Net revenue. Net revenue increased by $4.3 million, or 0.2%, to $2,012.9 million for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $2,008.6 million for the year ended December 30, 2023, due to price increases of $38.3 million and lower returns of $13.0 million, partially offset by the impact of lower shipment volume of $48.3 million.

Previous wording

Volume. Total shipment volume of 7,678,000 barrels for the year ended December 30, 2023 decreased by 6.2% over 2022 levels of 8,183,000 barrels, reflecting decreases in the Company’s Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head and Hard Mountain Dew brands, partially offset by increases in its Twisted Tea brand. On a 52-week comparable basis, shipment volume decreased 5.2%.

Current wording

Volume. Total shipment volume of 7,493,000 barrels for the year ended December 28, 2024 decreased by 2.4% over 2023 levels of 7,678,000 barrels, primarily due to decreases in the Company’s Truly brands, partially offset by increases in its Twisted Tea and Sun Cruiser brands.

Previous wording

Depletions of the Company’s products for the year ended December 30, 2023 decreased by approximately 6% compared to the prior year, reflecting decreases in the Company’s Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head brands, partially offset by increases in its Twisted Tea and Hard Mountain Dew brands. On a 52-week comparable basis, depletions decreased 5%.

Current wording

Depletions of the Company’s products for the year ended December 28, 2024 decreased by approximately 2% compared to the prior year.

Previous wording

Net Revenue per barrel. The net revenue per barrel increased by 2.4% to $261.61 per barrel for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $255.44 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to price increases, partially offset by product mix impacts.

Current wording

Net Revenue per barrel. The net revenue per barrel increased by 2.7% to $268.64 per barrel for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $261.61 per barrel for the year ended December 30, 2023, primarily due to price increases and lower returns.

Previous wording

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $150.59 per barrel for the fifty-two weeks ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $150.10 per barrel for the fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2022. The 2023 increase in cost of goods sold of $0.49, or 0.3% per barrel was primarily due to inflationary cost impacts of $30.0 million, or $3.91 per barrel, increased third-party production shortfall fees of $6.5 million, or $0.85 per barrel, the brewery cost absorption impact due to lower volume of $6.2 million, or $0.80 per barrel, and a contract settlement cost of $4.5 million, or $0.59 per barrel partially offset by contract renegotiations and recipe optimization of $26.6 million, or $3.46 per barrel, and decreases in inventory obsolescence of $14.8 million, or $1.93 per barrel.

Current wording

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $149.36 per barrel for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $150.59 per barrel for the fifty-two weeks ended December 30, 2023. The 2024 decrease in cost of goods sold of $1.23, or 3.2% per barrel was primarily due to contract renegotiations and recipe optimization savings of $24.1 million, or $3.22 per barrel, partially offset by inflationary impacts of $18.6 million, or $2.48 per barrel.

Previous wording

Inflationary impacts of $30.0 million consist primarily of increased material costs of $16.0 million, costs of third-party production of $7.6 million, and internal brewery costs of $6.4 million.

Current wording

Inflationary impacts of $18.6 million consist primarily of increased material costs of $10.2 million and internal brewery costs of $8.4 million.

Previous wording

Gross profit. Gross profit was $111.01 per barrel for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $105.33 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2022. Gross margin was 42.4% for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to 41.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due price increases, contract renegotiations and recipe optimization and lower inventory obsolescence partially offset by inflationary costs, increased third-party production shortfall fees and brewery cost absorption impact due to lower volume.

Current wording

Gross profit. Gross profit was $119.27 per barrel for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $111.01 per barrel for the year ended December 30, 2023. Gross margin was 44.4% for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to 42.4% for the year ended December 30, 2023. Gross margin primarily benefited from price increases, contract renegotiations and recipe optimization savings and lower returns, partially offset by higher brewery processing costs per barrel due to lower volumes and increased inflationary costs.

Previous wording

Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses, decreased $22.4 million, or 3.9%, to $556.0 million for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $578.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to decreased freight to distributors of $50.9 million from lower rates and volumes, partially offset by an increase in brand investments of $28.5 million, mainly driven by higher investments in local marketing and media of $15.9 million and increased salaries and benefits costs of $14.0 million.

Current wording

Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses, decreased $4.0 million, or 0.7%, to $552.0 million for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $556.0 million for the year ended December 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreased freight to distributors of $10.5 million from lower rates and volumes. Brand and selling costs increased $6.5 million, primarily due to increased brand media investments and higher salaries and benefits.

Previous wording

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were 27.7% of net revenue, or $72.41 per barrel, for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to 27.7% of net revenue, or $70.68 per barrel, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company will invest in advertising and promotional campaigns that it believes are effective, but there is no guarantee that such investment will generate sales growth.

Current wording

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were 27.4% of net revenue, or $73.67 per barrel, for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to 27.7% of net revenue, or $72.41 per barrel, for the year ended December 30, 2023. The Company will invest in advertising and promotional campaigns that it believes are effective, but there is no guarantee that such investment will generate sales growth.

Previous wording

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $17.0 million, or 10.8%, to $174.5 million for the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $157.5 million for the comparable period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased consulting costs of $7.5 million and increased salaries and benefits costs of $4.9 million, mainly due to higher incentive compensation.

Current wording

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $15.4 million, or 8.8%, to $189.9 million for the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $174.5 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and benefits costs resulting from Chief Executive Officer transition costs recorded in the first quarter as well as increased inflationary costs.

Previous wording

Impairment of intangible assets. Impairment of intangible assets reflects a $16.4 million non-cash impairment charge recorded primarily for the Dogfish Head brand, taken as a result of the Company’s annual impairment analysis as of September 1, 2023. The impairment determination was primarily based on the latest forecasts of brand performance which have been below the Company’s previous projections. In fiscal 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $27.1 million for the Dogfish Head brand. See further discussion in Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements within Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Current wording

Impairment of intangible assets. Impairment of intangible assets reflects a $42.6 million non-cash impairment charge recorded for the Dogfish Head brand, taken as a result of the Company’s annual impairment analysis as of September 1, 2024. The impairment determination was primarily based on the latest forecasts of brand performance which have been below the Company’s previous projections. In fiscal 2023, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $16.4 million primarily for the Dogfish Head brand. See further discussion in Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements within Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Previous wording

Impairment of brewery assets. Impairment of brewery assets of $5.4 million increased by $2.6 million from the prior fiscal year, due to higher write-offs of equipment at Company-owned breweries.

Current wording

Impairment of brewery assets. Impairment of brewery assets of $7.2 million increased by $1.8 million from the prior fiscal year, due to higher write-offs of equipment at Company-owned breweries.

Previous wording

Income tax provision. The Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was a tax provision of 30.2% compared to 26.4% in fiscal 2022, primarily due to an increase in non-deductible officer compensation.

Current wording

Income tax provision. The Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 31.9% compared to 30.2% in fiscal 2023, primarily due to lower pre-tax income with no corresponding reduction in non-deductible expenses. The Company estimates the lower pre-tax income resulting from the impairment of intangible assets and the contract settlement negatively impacted the 2024 effective tax rate by approximately 300 basis points.

Previous wording

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash increased to $298.5 million as of December 30, 2023 from $180.6 million as of December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares, partially offset by repurchases of Class A common stock and purchases of property, plant, and equipment.

Current wording

Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $211.8 million as of December 28, 2024 from $298.5 million as of December 30, 2023, primarily reflecting repurchases of the Company's Class A common stock, a note receivable issued, and purchases of property, plant, and equipment, partially offset by net cash provided by operating activities.

Previous wording

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 30, 2023 was $265.2 million and consisted of net income of $76.3 million, non-cash items of $124.0 million, and an inflow of $64.9 million from a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities. The inventory decrease of $31.5 million is due to improvements in supply chain process resulting in lower inventory levels and lower volumes. The third-party production prepayments decrease of $27.8 million is due to expensing of these prepayments over the respective contract terms. The accrued expenses and other current liabilities increase of $13.9 million is primarily due to increases in accrued incentive compensation compared to the prior year. The accounts receivable increase of $10.3 million is primarily due timing of shipments in the month of December compared to the prior year.

Current wording

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 30, 2023 was $265.2 million and consisted of net income of $76.3 million, non-cash items of $124.0 million, and an inflow of $64.9 million from a net decrease in operating assets and liabilities. The inventory decrease of $31.5 million is due to improvements in supply chain process resulting in lower inventory levels and lower volumes. The third-party production prepayments decrease of $27.8 million is due to expensing of these prepayments over the respective contract terms. The accrued expenses and other current liabilities increase of $13.9 million is primarily due to increases in accrued incentive compensation compared to the prior year. The accounts receivable increase of $10.3 million is primarily due to timing of shipments in the month of December compared to the prior year.

Previous wording

The Company used $62.4 million in investing activities during the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $88.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Investing activities during both periods primarily consisted of capital investments made mostly in the Company’s breweries to drive efficiencies and cost reductions and support product innovation and potential future growth.

Current wording

The Company used $96.3 million in investing activities during the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $62.4 million during the year ended December 30, 2023. The increase in investing activity cash outflows is due to a $20.0 million note receivable issued and a $12.2 million increase in capital investments. For both periods, capital investments were made mostly in the Company’s breweries to drive efficiencies and cost reductions and support product innovation and future growth.

Previous wording

Cash used in financing activities was $84.8 million during the year ended December 30, 2023, as compared to $2.8 million provided by during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change is primarily due to $92.9 million in repurchases of Class A common stock in fiscal 2023.

Current wording

Cash used in financing activities was $239.3 million during the year ended December 28, 2024, as compared to $84.8 million during the year ended December 30, 2023. The $154.5 million increase in financing activity cash outflows in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to higher repurchases of the Company's Class A common stock in the current year.

Previous wording

During fiscal year 2023, the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 276,045 shares of its Class A Common Stock, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $92.9 million. As of December 30, 2023, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 14.1 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $933.5 million and had approximately $266.5 million remaining on the $1.2 billion stock repurchase expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

Current wording

During fiscal year 2024, the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 803,281 shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $238.9 million. As of December 28, 2024, the Company had repurchased a cumulative total of approximately 14.9 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.17 billion and had approximately $427.5 million remaining on the $1.6 billion stock repurchase expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

Previous wording

The Company expects that its cash balance as of December 30, 2023 of $298.5 million and future operating cash flows, along with its $150.0 million credit facility agreement, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements. Refer to Note K of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements within Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further details of the terms of the credit facility agreement. 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.

Current wording

The Company expects that its cash balance as of December 28, 2024 of $211.8 million and future operating cash flows, along with its $150.0 million credit facility agreement, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements. Refer to Note K of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements within Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further details of the terms of the credit facility agreement. 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.

Previous wording

The provisions for excess or expired inventory are based on management’s estimates of forecasted usage of inventories on hand. Forecasting usage involves significant judgments regarding future demand for the Company’s various existing products and products under development as well as the potency and shelf-life of various raw material ingredients and finished goods. A significant change in the timing or level of demand for certain products as compared to forecasted amounts may result in recording additional provisions for excess or expired inventory in the future. Provision for excess or expired inventory included in cost of goods sold was $19.3 million, $35.9 million, and $62.6 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.

Current wording

The provisions for excess or expired inventory are based on management’s estimates of forecasted usage of inventories on hand. Forecasting usage involves significant judgments regarding future demand for the Company’s various existing products and products under development as well as the potency and shelf-life of various raw material ingredients and finished goods. A significant change in the timing or level of demand for certain products as compared to forecasted amounts may result in recording additional provisions for excess or expired inventory in the future. Provision for excess or expired inventory included in cost of goods sold was $21.9 million, $19.3 million, and $35.9 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 respectively.

Previous wording

The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, at December 30, 2023 was $642.5 million. For purposes of determining whether there are any impairment losses on brewery assets, as further discussed below, management has historically examined the carrying value of the Company’s identifiable long-lived assets, including their useful lives, semi-annually, or more frequently when indicators of impairment are present. Evaluations of whether indicators of impairment exist involve judgments regarding the current and future business environment and the length of time the Company intends to use the asset. If an impairment loss is identified based on the fair value of the asset, as compared to the carrying value of the asset, such loss would be charged to expense in the period the impairment is identified. Furthermore, if the review of the carrying values of the long-lived assets indicates impairment of such assets, the Company may determine that shorter estimated useful lives are more appropriate. In that event, the Company will be required to record additional depreciation in future periods, which will reduce earnings. Estimating the amount of impairment, if any, requires significant judgments including identification of potential impairments, market comparison to similar assets, estimated cash flows to be generated by the asset, discount rates, the remaining useful life of the asset, and the usefulness of the asset in consideration of future business plans. Impairment of brewery assets classified as property, plant, and equipment included in operating expenses was $5.0 million, $2.6 million and $18.5 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, at December 28, 2024 was $616.2 million. For purposes of determining whether there are any impairment losses on brewery assets, as further discussed below, management has historically examined the carrying value of the Company’s identifiable long-lived assets, including their useful lives, semi-annually, or more frequently when indicators of impairment are present. Evaluations of whether indicators of impairment exist involve judgments regarding the current and future business environment and the length of time the Company intends to use the asset. If an impairment loss is identified based on the fair value of the asset, as compared to the carrying value of the asset, such loss would be charged to expense in the period the impairment is identified. Furthermore, if the review of the carrying values of the long-lived assets indicates impairment of such assets, the Company may determine that shorter estimated useful lives are more appropriate. In that event, the Company will be required to record additional depreciation in future periods, which will reduce earnings. Estimating the amount of impairment, if any, requires significant judgments including identification of potential impairments, market comparison to similar assets, estimated cash flows to be generated by the asset, discount rates, the remaining useful life of the asset, and the usefulness of the asset in consideration of future business plans. Impairment of brewery assets classified as property, plant, and equipment included in operating expenses was $7.2 million, $5.0 million and $2.6 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

The Company’s intangible assets consist primarily of a trademark and customer relationships obtained through the Company’s Dogfish Head acquisition. Customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Dogfish Head trademark which was determined to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized. The guidance for indefinite lived intangible asset impairment testing allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired or to proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Under the quantitative assessment, the trademark is evaluated for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the trademark to its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the trademark is calculated based on an income approach using the relief from royalty method. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the trademark, then an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the trademark to its estimated fair value.

Current wording

The Company’s intangible assets consist primarily of a trademark and customer relationships obtained through the Company’s Dogfish Head acquisition. Customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives. As of the annual impairment assessment date at the end of fiscal August, the Dogfish Head trademark was determined to have a indefinite useful life and was not amortized. The guidance for indefinite lived intangible asset impairment testing allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired or to proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Under the quantitative assessment, the trademark is evaluated for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the trademark to its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the trademark is calculated based on an income approach using the relief from royalty method. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the trademark, then an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the trademark to its estimated fair value.

Previous wording

Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value the Dogfish Head trademark. Accordingly, the Company obtains the assistance of third-party valuation specialists as part of the impairment evaluation. In estimating the fair value of the trademark, management must make assumptions and projections regarding future cash flows based upon future revenues, the market-based royalty rate, the discount rate, and the after-tax royalty savings expected from ownership of the trademark. The assumptions and projections used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with recent trends and represent the projections used in the Company’s current strategic operating plans which include reductions in revenues from the Dogfish Head beer products which were partially offset with revenue growth from the new Dogfish Head canned cocktails products that were launched in 2021. These assumptions reflect management’s estimates of future economic and competitive conditions and consider many factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry growth rates, and competitive activities and are, therefore, subject to change as a result of changing market conditions. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to recognize an additional impairment charge for the asset. The recognition of any resulting impairment charge could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial statements.

Current wording

Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the Dogfish Head trademark. Accordingly, the Company obtains the assistance of third-party valuation specialists as part of the impairment evaluation. In estimating the fair value of the trademark, management must make assumptions and projections regarding future cash flows based upon future revenues, the market-based royalty rate, the discount rate, and the after-tax royalty savings expected from ownership of the trademark. The assumptions and projections used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with recent trends and represent the projections used in Company’s current strategic operating plans which include reductions in revenues from the Dogfish Head beer products. These assumptions reflect management’s estimates of future economic and competitive conditions and consider many factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry growth rates, and competitive activities and are, therefore, subject to change as a result of changing market conditions. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company changed the indefinite useful life of the Dogfish Head trademark asset and began amortizing the remaining $14.4 million balance over an estimated useful life of 10 years.

Previous wording

The Company performed a sensitivity analysis on its significant assumptions used in the Dogfish Head trademark fair value calculation and determined the following:

Current wording

The Company performed a sensitivity analysis on its significant assumptions used in the Dogfish Head trademark fair value calculation as of September 28, 2024 and determined the following:

Previous wording

A decrease in the annual forecasted revenue growth rate of 1.0% would result in a 5.2% decrease to the current fair value of $55.6 million.

Current wording

A decrease in the annual forecasted revenue growth rate of 1.0% would result in a 4.9% decrease to the fair value of $14.4 million as of September 28, 2024.

Previous wording

An increase in the discount rate of 1.5% would result in a 11.7% decrease to the current fair value of $55.6 million.

Current wording

A decrease in the discount rate of 1.5% would result in a 8.3% increase to the fair value of $14.4 million as of September 28, 2024, and an increase in the discount rate of 1.5% would result in a 6.9% decrease to the fair value of $14.4 million as of September 28, 2024.

Previous wording

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 December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had deferred revenue of $8.9 million and $6.8 million, respectively, related to product shipped prior to these dates for which the criteria to recognize revenue was not met as of these dates. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Current wording

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 December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the Company had deferred revenue of $11.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, related to product shipped prior to these dates for which the criteria to recognize revenue was not met as of these dates. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Previous wording

The Company is committed to maintaining the freshness of its products in the market. In certain circumstances and with the Company’s approval, the Company accepts and destroys or offers credits for stale beer that is returned or destroyed by Distributors. The Company generally credits approximately fifty percent of the distributor’s cost of beer that has passed its freshness expiration date when it is returned to the Company or destroyed. The Company reduces revenue and establishes an accrual based upon both historical returns, which is applied to an estimated lag time for receipt of product, and knowledge of specific return transactions. Estimating this reserve involves significant judgments and estimates, including comparability of historical return trends to future trends, lag time from date of sale to date of return, and product mix of returns. Stale beer expense is reflected in the accompanying financial statements as a reduction of revenue. Historically, the cost of actual stale beer returns has been in line with established reserves; however, the cost could differ materially from the reserves which would impact revenue. As of December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the stale beer reserve was $8.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Current wording

The Company is committed to maintaining the freshness of its products in the market. In certain circumstances and with the Company’s approval, the Company accepts and destroys or offers credits for stale beer that is returned or destroyed by Distributors. The Company generally credits approximately fifty percent of the distributor’s cost of beer that has passed its freshness expiration date when it is returned to the Company or destroyed. The Company reduces revenue and establishes an accrual based upon both historical returns, which is applied to an estimated lag time for receipt of product, and knowledge of specific return transactions. Estimating this reserve involves significant judgments and estimates, including comparability of historical return trends to future trends, lag time from date of sale to date of return, and product mix of returns. Stale beer expense is reflected in the accompanying financial statements as a reduction of revenue. Historically, the cost of actual stale beer returns has been in line with established reserves; however, the cost could differ materially from the reserves which would impact revenue. As of December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, the stale beer reserve was $6.1 million and $8.2 million, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Previous wording

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 the 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 net revenue or as advertising, promotional and selling expenses totaled $106.4 million, $95.9 million and $126.1 million in fiscal years

Current wording

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 the 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 net revenue or as advertising, promotional and selling expenses totaled $112.3 million, $106.4 million and $95.9 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. 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.

Previous wording

Customer promotional discount programs are entered into with Distributors for certain periods of time. Amounts paid to Distributors in connection with these programs in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $62.6 million, $54.8 million and $72.7 million, respectively. The reimbursements for discounts to Distributors are recorded as reductions to net revenue. 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 allowances.

Current wording

Customer promotional discount programs are entered into with Distributors for certain periods of time. Amounts paid to Distributors in connection with these programs in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $61.0 million, $62.6 million and $54.8 million, respectively. The reimbursements for discounts to Distributors are recorded as reductions to net revenue. 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 allowances.

Previous wording

Customer incentives and other payments are made primarily to Distributors based upon the 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 in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $43.8 million, $41.1 million and $53.4 million, respectively. In fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recorded certain of these costs in the total amount of $31.4 million, $29.9 million and $42.0 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 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.

Current wording

Customer incentives and other payments are made primarily to Distributors based upon the 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 in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $51.3 million, $43.8 million and $41.1 million, respectively. In fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company recorded certain of these costs in the total amount of $32.2 million, $31.4 million and $29.9 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 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.

Previous wording

The Company accounts for share-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation(“ASC 718”), which generally requires recognition of share-based compensation costs in financial statements based on fair value. Compensation cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). The amount of compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income is based on the awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore, reduced for estimated forfeitures. Stock-based compensation was $17.0 million, $14.0 million and $18.6 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

The Company accounts for share-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation(“ASC 718”), which generally requires recognition of share-based compensation costs in financial statements based on fair value. Compensation cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). The amount of compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income is based on the awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore, reduced for estimated forfeitures. Stock-based compensation was $19.0 million, $17.0 million and $14.0 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

The High End category and the Beyond Beer category within the United States are highly competitive due to large domestic and international brewers and the increasing number of craft brewers in this category who distribute similar products that have similar pricing and target drinkers. The Company believes that its pricing is appropriate given the quality and reputation of its brands, while realizing that economic pricing pressures may affect future pricing levels. Large domestic and international brewers are able to compete more aggressively than the Company, as they have substantially greater resources, marketing strength and distribution networks than the Company. The Company anticipates competition among domestic craft brewers will remain strong, as the number of craft brewers continues to grow. The Company also increasingly competes with wine and spirits companies, some of which have significantly greater resources than the Company. This competitive environment may affect the Company’s overall performance within the High End category. As the market matures and the High End category continues to consolidate, the Company believes that companies that are well-positioned in terms of brand equity, marketing and distribution will have greater success than those who do not. With its over 300 Distributors nationwide and the Company’s sales force of over 475 people, as well as a commitment to maintaining its innovation capability, brand equity and quality, the Company believes it is well positioned to compete in the High End Beer category.

Current wording

The Beyond beer and Traditional beer categories within the United States are highly competitive due to large domestic and international brewers and the large number of craft brewers in this category who distribute similar products that have similar pricing and target drinkers. The Company believes that its pricing is appropriate given the quality and reputation of its brands, while realizing that economic pricing pressures may affect future pricing levels. Large domestic and international brewers are able to compete more aggressively than the Company, as they have substantially greater resources, marketing strength and distribution networks than the Company. The Company also increasingly competes with wine and spirits companies, some of which have significantly greater resources than the Company. This competitive environment may affect the Company’s overall performance within the Beyond beer and Traditional beer categories. As the market continues to consolidate, the Company believes that companies that are well-positioned in terms of brand equity, marketing and distribution will have greater success than those who do not. With its over 300 Distributors nationwide and the Company’s sales force of over 475 people, as well as a commitment to maintaining its innovation capability, brand equity and quality, the Company believes it is well positioned to compete in the Beyond beer and Traditional beer categories.