The Boston Beer Company announced that Michael Spillane will step down as CEO on August 15, 2025, after just 16 months in the role, to focus on personal matters. Spillane, who has served on the board since 2016 and became CEO on April 1, 2024, will remain a non-executive director. He succeeded Dave Burwick, and during his tenure the brewer delivered one of its most profitable quarters in years despite market headwinds.
Company founder, brewer, and chairman Jim Koch will return to the CEO position he held from Boston Beer’s inception in 1984 until 2001. Koch said he will serve until an internal successor is ready, noting he does not anticipate remaining in the role for more than a few years. He praised Spillane’s leadership and confirmed his continued involvement in shaping company strategy.
The leadership change comes as the U.S. beer sector faces declining consumption, with Boston Beer particularly affected by reduced demand for Truly Hard Seltzer and Samuel Adams. In the most recent quarter, depletions fell 5% and shipments dropped 1% to about 2.1 million barrels (2.46 million hl), with growth in Dogfish Head and Sun Cruiser partly offsetting declines.
Boston Beer has navigated both operational and labour challenges, including a 2024 unfair labour practice claim by union workers over proposed wage cuts, which the company said it negotiated in good faith. Financially, the brewer saw a 4% year-on-year revenue drop to USD 614.2 million in Q2 2024, but still outperformed analyst expectations. Longer term, Boston Beer has invested heavily, including USD 85 million in 2020 to expand canning capacity for its core brands, while fending off persistent takeover rumours involving Heineken, Molson Coors, and Suntory.
