BOSTON BEER CO INC

Previous wording

The High End and Beyond Beer categories within the United States are highly competitive due to the participation of large domestic and international brewers in the categories and the increasing number of regional and local competitors, who distribute similar products that have similar pricing and target drinkers.

Current wording

The Beyond beer and Traditional beer markets within the United States (“US Beer Market”) is highly competitive due to the participation of large domestic and international brewers and the large number of regional and local competitors, who distribute similar products that have similar pricing and target drinkers.

Previous wording

The two largest brewers in the United States, AB InBev and Molson Coors, participate actively in the High End and Beyond Beer categories, through numerous launches of new hard seltzers, flavored malt beverages and spirit RTDs from existing brands or new brands, importing and distributing import brands, and with their own domestic specialty beers, either by developing new brands or by acquiring, in whole or part, existing brands. Imported beers, such as Modelo Especial®, Corona®, Heineken®, and Stella Artois®, continue to compete aggressively in the United States and have gained market share over the last ten years. Constellation Brands (owner of the United States distribution rights to Modelo Especial and Corona) and Heineken may have substantially greater financial resources, marketing strength and distribution networks than the Company. The Company anticipates competition will remain strong as some existing beverage companies are building more capacity, expanding geographically and adding more SKUs and styles. The potential for growth in the sales of flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers, craft-brewed domestic beers, imported beers and spirits RTDs is expected to increase the competition in the market for High End beer and Beyond Beer occasions within the United States and, as a result, the Company may well face competitive pricing pressures and the demand for and market share of the Company’s products may fluctuate and possibly decline.

Current wording

The two largest brewers in the United States, AB InBev and Molson Coors, participate actively in the US Beer Market, through numerous offerings including beers, flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers and spirit RTDs. Imported beers, such as Modelo Especial®, Corona®, Heineken®, and Stella Artois®, continue to compete aggressively in the United States and have gained market share over the last ten years. Constellation Brands (owner of the United States distribution rights to Modelo Especial and Corona) and Heineken may have substantially greater financial resources, marketing strength and distribution networks than the Company. The Company anticipates competition will remain strong as existing beverage companies continue adding more SKUs and styles. The potential for growth in the sales of flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers, domestic beers, imported beers and spirits RTDs is expected to increase the competition in the market for Beyond beer and Traditional beer occasions within the United States and, as a result, the Company may well face competitive pricing pressures and the demand for and market share of the Company’s products may fluctuate and possibly decline.

Previous wording

Beginning in 2021, large non-alcoholic beverage companies including Coca-Cola Company (“Coke"), Pepsi, Monster Beverage Corporation (“Monster”) and Arizona Beverage Company ("Arizona") have begun to enter these markets directly or through licensing agreements with alcoholic beverage companies to develop alcohol versions of existing traditional non-alcohol brands. Coke has entered into agreements with Molson Coors to develop, market and sell Topo Chico brand Hard Seltzer, Simply Spiked Lemonade and Peace Hard Tea. Coke also announced agreements with Constellation to develop, market and sell FRESCA™ Mixed, a line of spirits RTDs and with Brown Forman to develop, market and sell Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola®™ Ready-to-Drink Cocktail. As previously discussed, the Company has entered into an agreement with Pepsi to develop, market and sell alcohol beverages which include Hard Mountain Dew, to take advantage of this trend. In addition, Monster acquired CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective in early 2022 and launched the Beast Unleashed, a new brand of flavored malt beverages in early 2023 which includes Nasty Beast Hard Tea. Arizona, after earlier development and launch in 2020 in Canadian markets, launched Arizona Hard Tea in certain markets in the United States during 2023.

Current wording

Several large non-alcoholic beverage companies including Coca-Cola Company (“Coke"), Pepsi, Monster Beverage Corporation (“Monster”) and Arizona Beverage Company ("Arizona") have entered the alcoholic beverage market directly or through licensing agreements with alcoholic beverage companies to develop alcohol versions of existing traditional non-alcohol brands. As previously discussed, the Company has entered into an agreement with Pepsi to develop, market and sell alcohol beverages which include Hard Mountain Dew, a flavored malt beverage, to take advantage of this trend.

Previous wording

Due to the increased leverage that these larger companies have in distribution and sales and marketing expenses, the costs to the Company of competing could increase. The potential also exists for these large competitors to increase their influence with their Distributors, making it difficult for smaller beverage companies to maintain their market presence or enter new markets. Also, consolidation in the industry could also reduce the contract brewing capacity that is available to the Company. These potential increases in the number and availability of competing brands, the costs to compete, reductions in contract brewing capacity and decreases in distribution support and opportunities may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

Current wording

Due to the increased leverage that the larger, alcohol and non-alcohol beverage companies may have in distribution and sales and marketing expenses, the costs to the Company of competing could increase. The potential also exists for these large competitors to increase their influence with their Distributors, making it difficult for smaller beverage companies to maintain their market presence or enter new markets. Also, consolidation in the industry could also reduce the contract brewing capacity that is available to the Company. These potential increases in the number and availability of competing brands, the costs to compete, reductions in contract brewing capacity and decreases in distribution support and opportunities may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

Previous wording

The alcoholic beverage industry has been the subject of considerable societal and political attention for several years, due to public concern over alcohol-related social problems, including driving under the influence, underage drinking and health consequences from the misuse of alcohol, including alcoholism. As an outgrowth of these concerns, the possibility exists that advertising by beer producers could be restricted, that additional cautionary labeling or packaging requirements might be imposed, that further restrictions on the sale of alcohol might be imposed or that there may be renewed efforts to impose increased excise or other taxes on beer sold in the United States.

Current wording

The alcoholic beverage industry has been the subject of considerable societal and political attention for several years, due to public concern over alcohol-related social problems, including driving under the influence, underage drinking and health consequences from the misuse of alcohol, including alcoholism. As an outgrowth of these concerns, the possibility exists that advertising by alcoholic beverage producers could be restricted, that additional cautionary labeling or packaging requirements might be imposed, that further restrictions on the sale of alcohol might be imposed or that there may be renewed efforts to impose increased excise or other taxes on beer sold in the United States.

Previous wording

The domestic beer industry, other than the market for High End beer occasions and Beyond Beer occasions, has experienced a decline in shipments over the last ten years. The Company believes that this decline is due to declining alcohol consumption per person in the population, drinkers trading up to drink high quality, more flavorful FMBs, hard seltzers, beers, and spirts RTDs, health and wellness trends and increased competition from wine and spirits companies. If consumption of the Company’s products in general were to come into disfavor among domestic drinkers, or if the domestic alcohol beverage industry were subjected to significant additional societal pressure or governmental regulations, the Company’s business could be materially adversely affected.

Current wording

The US Beer Market has experienced a decline in shipments over the last ten years. The Company believes that this decline is due to declining alcohol consumption per person in the population, health and wellness trends and increased competition from wine and spirits companies. If consumption of the Company’s products in general were to come into disfavor among domestic drinkers, or if the domestic alcohol beverage industry were subjected to significant additional societal pressure or governmental regulations, the Company’s business could be materially adversely affected.

Previous wording

Additionally, certain states are considering or have passed laws and regulations that allow the sale and distribution of marijuana. Currently it is not possible to predict the impact of this on sales of alcohol, but it is possible that legal marijuana usage could adversely impact the demand for the Company’s products.

Current wording

Additionally, certain states are considering or have passed laws and regulations that allow the sale and distribution of cannabis. Currently, it is not possible to predict the impact of this on sales of alcohol, but it is possible that legal cannabis usage could adversely impact the demand for the Company’s products. The company has a cannabis-based beverage product in Canada and could be ready to produce that in the United States if the regulatory environment changes.

Previous wording

From 2015 to 2017, the Company experienced a decline in the demand for its products, as craft beer growth rates slowed and the hard cider category declined. From 2018 to 2021, the Company experienced increases in demand for its products, driven by growth in its Truly and Twisted Tea brands, and grew 13%, 22%, 37% and 22% in depletion volume for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Beginning in the second half of 2021, the market for hard seltzer products experienced decelerating growth trends, which resulted in a depletion volume decline of 5% in 2022 and 6% in 2023 (5% decline on a 52-week comparable basis). The slowdown in growth trends greatly impacted the Company's volume of production and shipments, as well as its volume projections for the future. The volume reduction also resulted in increased supply chain related costs. These costs include the destruction of excess inventory, provisions for excess and obsolete inventories, property, plant and equipment impairments, write-offs of third-party production prepayments and provisions for costs associated with the termination of various third-party production contracts.

Current wording

Beginning in the second half of 2021, the market for hard seltzer products experienced decelerating growth trends, which contributed to the Company’s depletion volume decline of 5% in 2022, 6% in 2023 (5% decline on a 52-week comparable basis) and 2% in 2024. The slowdown in growth trends greatly impacted the Company's volume of production and shipments, as well as its volume projections for the future. The volume reduction also resulted in increased supply chain related costs. These costs include the destruction of excess inventory, provisions for excess and obsolete inventories, property, plant and equipment impairments, write-offs of third-party production prepayments and provisions for costs associated with the termination of various third-party production contracts.

Previous wording

The Company is targeting a percentage change in shipments and depletion volume of between down single digits to up single digits. The Company’s ability to meet these targets may be affected by an increasing number of competing beverages. The development of new products by the Company to meet these challenges may lead to reduced sales of the Company’s existing brands and there is no guarantee that these new product initiatives will generate stable long term volume. Additionally, changes in the use of media and technology are impacting the economics of how brands are marketed to drinkers and may be diminishing the traditional competitive advantage the Company may have had in buying national media relative to smaller brands. While the Company believes that a combination of innovation, new brand messaging and exploration of new media, and increased investment in sales execution can lead to increased demand, there is no guarantee that the Company’s actions will be successful in maintaining the Company’s historical levels of profitability. Reduced sales, among other factors, could lead to lower brewery utilization, lower funds available to invest in brand support and reduced profitability, and these challenges may require a different mix and level of marketing investments to stabilize and grow volumes. A lower growth environment or periods of sales declines will present challenges for the Company to motivate and retain employees, maintain the current levels of distributor and retailer support of its brands, and fund its current brand investment levels, and could potentially require a review of long term organization and brewery needs. Currently, the Company believes it can meet its volume targets in 2024 and return to volume growth in future years, but there is no guarantee its efforts will be successful or profitable.

Current wording

The Company is targeting a percentage change in shipments and depletion volume of between down single digits to up single digits. The Company’s ability to meet these targets may be affected by an increasing number of competing beverages. The development of new products by the Company to meet these challenges may lead to reduced sales of the Company’s existing brands and there is no guarantee that these new product initiatives will generate stable long term volume. While the Company believes that a combination of innovation, new brand messaging and the use of traditional and social media, and increased investment in sales execution can lead to increased demand, there is no guarantee that the Company’s actions will be successful in maintaining the Company’s historical levels of profitability. Reduced sales, among other factors, could lead to lower brewery utilization, lower funds available to invest in brand support and reduced profitability, and these challenges may require a different mix and level of marketing investments to stabilize and grow volumes. A lower growth environment or periods of sales declines will present challenges for the Company to motivate and retain employees, maintain the current levels of distributor and retailer support of its brands, and fund its current brand investment levels. This could potentially lead to a review of long term organization and capacity needs. Currently, the Company believes it can meet its volume targets in 2025 and return to volume growth in future years, but there is no guarantee its efforts will be successful or profitable.

Previous wording

The changes in growth trends in the Company’s business, particularly for the Truly Hard Seltzer Brand, as well as added product complexity, heighten the management challenges that the Company faces. In recent years, the Company has had periods of excess capacity that were nevertheless accompanied by product shortages and service issues. As demand for its products grew from 2017 through the first half of 2021, the Company faced challenges in meeting demand. The challenges were both production constraints, primarily resulting from canning and variety pack capacity limitations, and can supply constraints. During this period, the Company experienced increased inventory obsolescence, operational, and freight costs, as it reacted. In response to these issues, the Company significantly increased its packaging capabilities and tank capacity and added personnel to address these challenges.

Current wording

Historically, during periods of growth, the Company has faced challenges in meeting demand. The challenges were both production constraints, primarily resulting from canning and variety pack capacity limitations, and can supply constraints. During these periods of growth, the Company experienced increased inventory obsolescence, and operational, and freight costs, as it reacted. In response to these issues, the Company significantly increased its capacity and personnel to address these challenges.

Previous wording

With a decline in volume over the second half of 2021 through 2023, the Company then incurred additional supply chain related costs associated with downsizing its production model to adjust to reduced demand. In recent periods, the Company has been able to better match its supply chain to meet demand, but a sudden increase could result in a recurrence of challenges in meeting demand and a sudden decrease could result in other incremental costs. There can be no assurance that the Company will effectively address changing consumer demand or manage increasing product complexity, without experiencing similar issues in the future. Planning failures, operating inefficiencies, insufficient employee training, control deficiencies, or other similar issues could well have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. Growth or decline in the Company’s revenues, changes in operating procedures, and increased complexity have required significant capital investment. The Company on an overall basis has yet to see any operating cost leverage from these investments and there is no guarantee that it will.

Current wording

With a decline in volume over the second half of 2021 through 2024, the Company incurred additional supply chain related costs associated with downsizing its production model to adjust to reduced demand. In recent years, the Company has been able to better match its supply chain to meet demand, but a sudden increase could result in a recurrence of challenges in meeting demand and a sudden decrease could result in other incremental costs. There can be no assurance that the Company will effectively address changing consumer demand or manage increasing product complexity, without experiencing similar issues in the future. Planning failures, operating inefficiencies, insufficient employee training, control deficiencies, or other similar issues could well have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. Growth or decline in the Company’s revenues, changes in operating procedures, and increased complexity have required significant capital investment. The Company on an overall basis has yet to see any operating cost leverage from these investments and there is no guarantee that it will.

Previous wording

The Company remains reliant on third party-owned breweries, particularly City Brewing Company, LLC, to meet demand and the percentage of its volume produced at Company owned breweries decreased from over 90% in 2017 to approximately 71% in 2023. The Company currently expects that the percentage of total production at Company owned breweries in 2024 will be over 75%. The Company expects its reliance on production at City Brewing Company, LLC to decline from approximately 22% of production in 2023 to approximately 20% of production in 2024.

Current wording

The Company remains reliant on third party-owned production facilities, particularly City Brewing Company, LLC, and its subsidiaries, to meet demand. The percentage of its domestic volume produced at Company owned breweries decreased from over 90% in 2017 to approximately 74% in 2024. The Company currently expects that the percentage of total domestic production at Company owned breweries in 2025 will be 80%. The Company expects its reliance on production at City Brewing Company, LLC to decline from approximately 26% of production in 2024 to approximately 20% of production in 2025.

Previous wording

its ability to meet production goals and/or targets at the Company’s owned breweries and third party-owned breweries;

Current wording

its ability to meet production goals and/or targets at the Company’s owned breweries and third party-owned production facilities;

Previous wording

its ability to enter into new brewing contracts with third party-owned breweries on commercially acceptable terms;

Current wording

its ability to enter into new production contracts with third party-owned breweries on commercially acceptable terms;

Previous wording

disruption or other operating performance issues at the Company’s owned breweries or limits on the availability of suitable production capacity at third party-owned breweries;

Current wording

disruption or other operating performance issues at the Company’s owned breweries or limits on the availability of suitable production capacity at third party-owned production facilities;

Previous wording

The demand for packaging materials in the beverage industry has increased and during 2020 and 2021 there was a shortage of capacity, as manufacturers adjusted their supply chains to keep up with the increased demand, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Truly Hard Seltzer brand beverages are primarily packaged in sleek cans and Twisted Tea brand beverages are primarily packaged in standard cans. In 2020 and 2021, as the Truly and the Twisted brand families grew significantly and overall demand for cans increased, the Company experienced supply constraints for cans. These supply constraints impacted the Company’s production schedules and increased can cost by having to use a more expensive supplier. These pressures were reduced during 2022 and 2023 and the Company currently believes it will have a sufficient supply of packaging materials for 2024.

Current wording

In 2020 and 2021, as the Truly and the Twisted brand families grew significantly and overall demand for cans increased, the Company experienced supply constraints for cans. These supply constraints impacted the Company’s production schedules and increased can cost by having to use a more expensive supplier.

Previous wording

The Company maintains competitive sources for the supply of packaging materials, such as cans, glass, cardboard wraps and shipping cases. The Company enters into limited-term supply agreements with certain vendors in order to receive preferential pricing. In 2023, certain flavorings, crowns, and labels were each supplied by single sources. Although the Company believes that alternative suppliers are available, the loss of any of the Company’s packaging materials suppliers could, in the short-term, adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position until alternative supply arrangements were secured. Additionally, there has been acquisition, change in control and consolidation activity in several of the packaging supplier networks which could potentially lead to further disruption in supply and changes in economics. If packaging costs continue to increase, there is no guarantee that such costs can be fully passed along through increased prices.

Current wording

The Company maintains competitive sources for the supply of packaging materials, such as cans, glass and cardboard. The Company enters into limited-term supply agreements with certain vendors in order to receive preferential pricing. In 2024, certain flavorings, crowns, and labels were each supplied by single sources. The loss of any of the Company’s packaging materials suppliers could, in the short-term, adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position until alternative supply arrangements were secured. Additionally, there has been acquisition, change in control and consolidation activity in several of the packaging supplier networks which could potentially lead to further disruption in supply and changes in economics. If packaging costs continue to increase, there is no guarantee that such costs can be fully passed along through increased prices. The company's long-term supply agreements have varying lengths and terms and there is no guarantee that the economics of these contracts can be replicated when renewed. The Company’s inability to preserve the current economics on renewal could expose the Company to significant cost increases in future years. Some of these contracts require the Company to make commitments on minimum volume of purchases based on Company forecasts. If the Company's needs decline significantly from its forecasts, the Company would likely incur storage costs for excess production or contractual penalties that might be significant and could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial results.

Previous wording

The Company is dependent on key ingredient suppliers, including foreign sources; its dependence on foreign sources creates foreign currency exposure for the Company; the Company’s use of natural ingredients creates weather and crop reliability and excess/shortage inventory exposure for the Company.

Current wording

The Company is dependent on key ingredient suppliers, including foreign sources; its dependence on foreign sources creates foreign currency and tariff exposure for the Company; the Company’s use of natural ingredients creates weather and crop reliability and excess/shortage inventory exposure for the Company.

Previous wording

The Company purchases a substantial portion of the ingredients used in its beverages, including its flavorings, fruit juice, malt, hops, apples, and other ingredients, from a limited number of domestic and foreign suppliers. The Company has historically not experienced material difficulties in obtaining timely delivery from its ingredient suppliers and currently believes that it will have sufficient supply of ingredients in 2024. The Company believes that there are alternative sources available for some of the ingredients, but there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to acquire such ingredients from substitute sources on a timely or cost-effective basis, if current suppliers could not adequately fulfill orders. The loss or significant reduction in the capability of a supplier to support the Company’s requirements could, in the short-term, adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results, until alternative supply arrangements were secured.

Current wording

The Company purchases a substantial portion of the ingredients used in its beverages, including its flavorings, fruit juice, malt, hops, apples, and other ingredients, from a limited number of domestic and foreign suppliers. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to acquire such ingredients from substitute sources on a timely or cost-effective basis, if current suppliers could not adequately fulfill orders or if tariffs significantly increase costs. The loss or significant reduction in the capability or increase of costs of a supplier to support the Company’s requirements could, in the short-term, adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results, until alternative supply arrangements are secured.

Previous wording

The Company’s beverages include many unique and proprietary flavors and combinations of flavors and some of these flavorings are single sourced. Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brand beverages are particularly reliant on the use of flavorings and variety of flavors as part of their appeal to drinkers.

Current wording

The Company’s beverages include many unique and proprietary flavors and combinations of flavors and some of these flavorings are single sourced. Twisted Tea and Truly Hard Seltzer brand beverages are particularly reliant on the use of flavorings and variety of flavors as part of their appeal to drinkers.

Previous wording

The Company purchased most of the malt used in the production of its beer from four suppliers during 2023. Nevertheless, the Company believes that there are other malt vendors available that are capable of supplying part of its needs. The Company is exposed to the quality of the barley crop each year, and significant failure of a crop would adversely affect the Company’s costs.

Current wording

The Company purchased most of the malt used in the production of its beer from four suppliers during 2024. The Company is exposed to the quality of the barley crop each year, and significant failure of a crop would adversely affect the Company’s costs.

Previous wording

The Company’s contracts for certain hops and apples are payable in Euros, Pounds Sterling and New Zealand dollars, and therefore, the Company is subject to the risk that the Euro, Pound or New Zealand dollar may fluctuate adversely against the U.S. dollar. The Company has, as a practice, not hedged this exposure, although this practice is regularly reviewed. The cost of hops has increased in recent years due to the rising market price of hops and exchange rate changes. The continuation of these trends will impact the Company’s product cost and potentially the Company’s ability to meet the demand for its beers. The Company buys some other ingredients and capital equipment from foreign suppliers for which the Company also carries exposure to foreign exchange rate changes. Significant adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

Current wording

The Company’s contracts for certain hops and apples are payable in Euros, Pounds Sterling and New Zealand dollars, and therefore, the Company is subject to the risk that the currencies may fluctuate adversely against the U.S. dollar. The Company has, as a practice, not hedged this exposure, although this practice is regularly reviewed. The cost of hops has increased in recent years due to the rising market price of hops and exchange rate changes. The continuation of these trends will impact the Company’s product cost and potentially the Company’s ability to meet the demand for its beers. The Company buys some other ingredients and capital equipment from foreign suppliers for which the Company also carries exposure to foreign exchange rate and tariff changes. Significant adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and increased tariffs may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

Previous wording

The Company’s reliance on breweries owned by others and an inability to leverage investment in the Company-owned breweries could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial results.

Current wording

The Company’s reliance on production facilities owned by others and an inability to leverage investment in the Company-owned breweries could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial results.

Previous wording

During 2023, the Company produced approximately 71% of its volume at breweries owned by the Company and, as noted above, anticipates producing 75% of its volume at breweries owned by the Company in 2024. While, on balance, the Company views greater reliance on its own breweries favorably, this reliance on its own breweries exposes the Company to capacity constraints and risk of disruption of supply, as these breweries are operating at or close to current capacity in peak months. Management believes that it has alternatives available to it, in the event that production at any of its brewing locations is temporarily interrupted, although as volumes at the Pennsylvania Brewery increase, severe interruptions there would be problematic, particularly during peak seasons. Potential interruptions at breweries include labor issues, governmental action, quality issues, contractual disputes, machinery failures, operational shutdowns, pandemic-related or other staffing shortages, or natural or unavoidable catastrophes. If interruptions were to occur, the Company could face significant delays in starting replacement brewing locations and its operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Current wording

During 2024, the Company produced approximately 74% of its domestic volume at breweries owned by the Company and, as noted above, anticipates producing 80% of its domestic volume at breweries owned by the Company in 2025. While, on balance, the Company views greater reliance on its own breweries favorably, this reliance on its own breweries exposes the Company to capacity constraints and risk of disruption of supply, as these breweries are operating at or close to current capacity in peak months. As volumes at the Pennsylvania Brewery increase, severe interruptions there would be problematic, particularly during peak seasons. Potential interruptions at breweries include labor issues, governmental action, quality issues, contractual disputes, machinery failures, operational shutdowns, pandemic-related or other staffing shortages, or natural or unavoidable catastrophes. If interruptions were to occur, the Company could face significant delays in starting replacement brewing locations and its operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Previous wording

The Company continues to avail itself of capacity at third-party production facilities. Also as noted above, during 2023, approximately 22% of the Company’s annual shipment volume was brewed and/or packaged under service agreements with City Brewing Company, LLC. In selecting third party breweries for brewing services arrangements, the Company carefully weighs a brewery’s sleek can packaging and automated variety packaging capability and capacity, its quality control capabilities throughout the production process and its ability to utilize traditional brewing, fermenting and finishing methods. To the extent that the Company needs to avail itself of a third-party production services arrangement, it exposes itself to higher than planned costs of operating under such contract arrangements than would apply at the Company-owned breweries, potential lower service levels and reliability than internal production, and potential unexpected declines in the brewing capacity available to it, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The use of such third party facilities also creates higher logistical costs and uncertainty in the ability to deliver product to the Company’s customers efficiently and on time.

Current wording

The Company continues to avail itself of capacity at third-party production facilities. Also as noted above, during 2024, approximately 26% of the Company’s annual domestic shipment volume was produced under production service agreements with City Brewing Company, LLC and its subsidiaries. In selecting third party production facilities for production services arrangements, the Company carefully weighs a facility's sleek can packaging and automated variety packaging capability and capacity, its quality control capabilities throughout the production process. To the extent that the Company needs to avail itself of a third-party production services arrangement, it exposes itself to higher than planned costs of operating under such contract arrangements than would apply at the Company-owned breweries, potential lower service levels and reliability than internal production, and potential unexpected declines in the production capacity available to it, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The use of such third party facilities also creates higher logistical costs and uncertainty in the ability to deliver product to the Company’s customers efficiently and on time.

Previous wording

As the beer industry continues to consolidate and the Company has grown, the capacity and willingness of breweries owned by others where the Company could brew, ferment or package some of its products, if necessary, has become a more significant concern and, thus, there is no guarantee that the Company’s needs will be uniformly met. The Company continues to work at its Company-owned breweries and with its third-party production partners to attempt to minimize any potential disruptions. Nevertheless, should an interruption occur, the Company could experience temporary shortfalls in production and/or increased production and/or distribution costs and be required to make significant capital investments to secure alternative capacity for certain brands and packages, the combination of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. A production interruption caused by an acquisition or change of control of City Brewing or a simultaneous interruption at several of the Company’s other production locations would likely cause significant disruption, increased costs and, potentially, lost sales.

Current wording

As the beer industry continues to consolidate and the Company has grown, the capacity and willingness of breweries owned by others where the Company could brew, ferment or package some of its products, if necessary, has become a more significant concern and, thus, there is no guarantee that the Company’s needs will be uniformly met. The Company continues to work at its Company-owned breweries and with its third-party production partners to attempt to minimize any potential disruptions. Nevertheless, should an interruption occur, the Company could experience temporary shortfalls in production and/or increased production and/or distribution costs and be required to make significant capital investments to secure alternative capacity for certain brands and packages, the combination of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. A production interruption caused by an acquisition or change of control or bankruptcy of City Brewing Company, LLC, or its subsidiaries, or a simultaneous interruption at several of the Company’s other production locations would likely cause significant disruption, increased costs and, potentially, lost sales.

Previous wording

The Company attempts to mitigate production and distribution risks through a combination of owned breweries and access to third-party contract facilities, but there is no guarantee that this strategy will be successful, and it might result in short term costs and inefficiencies which could adversely impact our business and financial results.

Current wording

The Company attempts to mitigate production and distribution risks through a combination of owned breweries and access to third-party contract production facilities, but there is no guarantee that this strategy will be successful, and it might result in short term costs and inefficiencies which could adversely impact our business and financial results.

Previous wording

The Company has significantly increased the number of commercially available flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers, beers, hard ciders, and spirits RTDs that it produces. In the last five years, the Company has developed, introduced and reformulated many new and existing beverage styles under the Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard brands. The Dogfish Head brand, acquired in July 2019, currently has over 25 styles of beer, 15 styles of distilled spirits, 7 spirits RTDs, two brewery tap rooms, a restaurant, and a boutique inn. In January 2020, the Company opened the Samuel Adams Tap Room and small brewery in downtown Boston. The Company currently operates 8 retail locations, including seven brewery tap rooms, a cidery tasting room and a restaurant, where its beverages are sold and consumed on-premise. The Company’s most significant innovations in 2023 were the launches of new styles of its Truly Vodka Soda brand and its launch in limited markets of Truly Tequila Soda and Slingers, a new flavored malt beverage brand. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company is planning to launch Truly Tequila Soda nationally and expand Slingers to more markets. Also, during 2024, the Company has plans to add new beverage styles and reformulate existing styles of beverages. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company is launching two new brands in limited markets. These two new brands are Sun Cruiser, a new vodka based hard tea brand and General Admission, a new non-alcoholic beer brand.

Current wording

The Company has significantly increased the number of commercially available flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers, beers, hard ciders, and spirits RTDs that it produces. In the last five years, the Company has developed, introduced and reformulated many new and existing beverage styles under the Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Angry Orchard, Sun Cruiser and Hard Mountain Dew brands. The Company currently operates 9 retail locations where its beverages are sold and consumed on-premise, including six brewery tap rooms, an apple orchard and innovation cidery, a restaurant and a boutique inn. The Company’s most significant innovations in 2024 was the introduction of its Sun Cruiser brand, a new vodka based RTD, as well as the launch of its Truly Unruly Mix Pack and Twisted Tea Extreme. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company is planning to launch Truly Unruly Lemonade Mix Pack, Sun Cruiser vodka based hard lemonade and Dogfish Head Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale. During the rest of 2025, the Company has plans to add new beverage styles and may reformulate existing styles of beverages.

Previous wording

In addition to these inherent brand risks, C. James Koch, the founder and Chairman of the Company, as well as the founders of Dogfish Head brand, Samuel Calagione, Founder and Brewer, Dogfish Head Brewery and Mariah Calagione, Founder and Communitarian, Dogfish Head Brewery, are an integral part of the Company’s history, brand equity and current and potential future brand messaging and the Company relies on the positive public perception of these founders. The role of these founders as founders, brewers and leaders of the Company is emphasized as part of the Company’s brand communication and has appeal to some drinkers. If these founders were not available to the Company to continue their active roles, their absence could negatively affect the strength of the Company’s messaging and, accordingly, the Company’s growth prospects. The Company and its brands may also be impacted if drinkers’ perceptions of these founders, including their social or political views, were to change negatively. If any negative changes were to occur, the Company might need to adapt its strategy for communicating its key messages regarding its history, equity, and current and potential future brand messaging. Any such change in the Company’s messaging strategy might have a detrimental impact on the future growth of the Company.

Current wording

In addition to these inherent brand risks, C. James Koch, the founder and Chairman of the Company, as well as the founders of Dogfish Head brand, Samuel Calagione, Founder and Brewer, Dogfish Head Brewery and Mariah Calagione, Founder and Communitarian, Dogfish Head Brewery, are an integral part of the Company’s history, brand equity and current and potential future brand messaging and the Company relies on the positive public perception of these founders. Mariah Calagione has recently announced her retirement from the Company effective during 2025. The role of these founders as founders, brewers, leaders or former leaders of the Company is emphasized as part of the Company’s brand communication and has appeal to some drinkers. If these founders were not available to the Company, this could negatively affect the strength of the Company’s messaging and, accordingly, the Company’s growth prospects. The Company and its brands may also be impacted if drinkers’ perceptions of these founders, including their social or political views, were to change negatively. If any negative changes were to occur, the Company might need to adapt its strategy for communicating its key messages regarding its history, equity, and current and potential future brand messaging. Any such change in the Company’s messaging strategy might have a detrimental impact on the future growth of the Company.

Previous wording

The Company depends on information technology to be able to operate efficiently and interface with customers and suppliers, as well as maintain financial and accounting reporting accuracy to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. If the Company does not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, the Company could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breaches. The Company recognizes that many groups on a world-wide basis have experienced increases in security breaches, cyber-attacks, and other hacking activities such as denial of service, malware and ransomware. The Company has dedicated internal and external resources to review and address such threats. However, as with all large information technology systems, the Company’s systems could be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting confidential or proprietary information, corrupting information, disrupting business processes, or engaging in the unauthorized use of strategic information. Such unauthorized access could disrupt business operations and could result in the loss of assets or revenues, remediation costs or damage to the Company’s reputation, as well as litigation against the Company by third parties adversely affected by the unauthorized access. Such events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The Company also relies on third parties for supply of software, software and data hosting and telecommunications and networking, and is reliant on those third parties for the quality and integrity of these complex services. Failure by a third-party supplier could have material adverse effects on the Company’s ability to operate.

Current wording

The Company depends on information technology to be able to operate efficiently and interface with customers and suppliers, as well as maintain financial and accounting reporting accuracy to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. If the Company does not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, the Company could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property and proprietary information through security breaches. The Company recognizes that many groups on a world-wide basis have experienced increases in security breaches, cyber-attacks, and other hacking activities such as denial of service, malware and ransomware. As with all large information technology systems, the Company’s systems could be penetrated by outside threat actors intent on extracting confidential or proprietary information, corrupting information, disrupting business processes, or engaging in the unauthorized use of strategic information. Such unauthorized access could disrupt business operations and could result in the loss of assets or revenues, remediation costs or damage to the Company’s reputation, as well as litigation against the Company by third parties adversely affected by the unauthorized access. Such events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The Company also relies on third parties for supply of software, software and data hosting and telecommunications and networking, and is reliant on those third parties for the quality and integrity of these complex services. Failure by a third-party supplier could have material adverse effects on the Company’s ability to operate.

Previous wording

The Company’s business is highly regulated by federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding such matters as licensing requirements, trade and pricing practices, labeling, advertising, promotion and marketing practices, relationships with Distributors, environmental impact of operations and other matters. These laws and regulations are subject to frequent reevaluation, varying interpretations and political debate, and inquiries from governmental regulators charged with their enforcement. In addition, any delays in federal or state government required approvals caused by federal or state government shutdowns, similar to the January 2019 federal government shutdown, could prevent new brands or innovations from getting to market on time or at all. Failure to comply with existing laws and regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject or any revisions to such laws and regulations or the failure to pay taxes or other fees imposed on the Company’s operations and results could result in the loss, revocation or suspension of the Company’s licenses, permits or approvals, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in federal and other tax rates could have a significant effect on the Company’s financial results.

Current wording

The Company’s business is highly regulated by federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding such matters as licensing requirements, trade and pricing practices, labeling, advertising, promotion and marketing practices, relationships with Distributors, environmental impact of operations and other matters. These laws and regulations are subject to frequent reevaluation, varying interpretations and political debate, and inquiries from governmental regulators charged with their enforcement. In addition, any delays in federal or state government required approvals caused by federal or state government shutdowns, could prevent new brands or innovations from getting to market on time or at all. Failure to comply with existing laws and regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject or any revisions to such laws and regulations or the failure to pay taxes or other fees imposed on the Company’s operations and results could result in the loss, revocation or suspension of the Company’s licenses, permits or approvals, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in federal and other tax rates could have a significant effect on the Company’s financial results.

Previous wording

While the Company has from time to time in the past been involved in material litigation, it is not currently a party to any pending or threatened litigation, the outcome of which would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 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. See Item 3 - Legal Proceedings below.

Current wording

The Company has from time to time in the past been involved in material litigation. Claims, whether or not meritorious, could be asserted against the Company that might adversely impact the Company’s results.