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.
