Suntory Global Spirits Denies Talks to Acquire Boston Beer Co.
According to a Wall Street Journal report late last week, Japanese beverage company Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory) has discussed acquiring the Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams Boston Lager and other beers — but neither company would confirm those talks to local and national media following up on the rumor.
Suntory, which owns the Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark brands among others, flat out denied the WSJ report, telling one local media outlet “there is no fact” the company was in negotiations of any sort with Boston Beer.
Meanwhile, Boston Beer told the outlet it does not comment on “rumors” and was fully focused on its business as an independent company and its “return to growth.”
Boston Beer Co. owns the Sam Adams brand, Truly hard seltzers, Twisted Tea, Dogfish Head beers and Angry Orchard ciders. In March, it announced the retirement of CEO David Burwick, who was replaced by former Nike executive Michael Spillane.
In 2021, Suntory and Boston Beer entered into a partnership “to launch products that bring the Sauza tequila brand further into ready-to-drink beverages (RTDs), and Truly Hard Seltzer into bottled spirits,” an announcement stated at the time.
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.