Boston Beer Co Inc (SAM), Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (BUD): Summer Time and Beer Go Together

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America’s love affair with beer continues. This is particularly evident in the rise of the craft breweries that specialize in unique flavors of beer. Beer is the new wine and is attracting more and more drinkers. There are now beer tastings and even pairings with certain foods. The result has been an increase in consumption and increases the exposure of America’s original craft beer company Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM).

Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM)

Can’t argue with tradition

Boston Beer has been producing beer since the mid-1800s using the same recipe and brewing process of Chairman Jim Koch’s family. The company’s flagship brand is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Boston Beer now produces over 30 flavors of beer. In the last five years, the company has won more awards at international beer-tasting competitions than any other brewery.

Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM) is now entering uncharted territory for the company – beer in a can. This goes against everything founder Jim Koch has previously said. In his “Beer Drinker’s Bill of Rights,” he says:

Beer shall be offered in bottles, not cans, so that no brew is jeopardized with the taste of metal.

This change in strategy for Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM) is the result of the increase in canned beer consumption. Last year, beer sold in cans made up 53% of the market versus 48% in 2006. This is a growing trend that the company could no longer ignore. To capture this market opportunity, Boston Beer has spent the last two years and $1 million to develop the “Sam Can.” Considering that Boston Beer has less than 1% of the total beer market, I see the “Sam Can” adding another marketing dynamic and helping to increase market share.

The other segment for growth for Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM) is in the burgeoning cider market. In less than one year, the company’s Angry Orchard cider went from being nonexistent to having 40% of the market. According to an analyst report from Goldman Sachs, Angry Orchard could make up 20% of total sales by the end of 2015. Shareholders can certainly drink to that good news.

The king of beers isn’t taking this lying down

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD) certainly is not showing any signs of slowing down as other beer makers try and encroach on its dominant market share. To solidify its position, the company just spent $20.1 billion to purchase Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo. Anheuser-Busch InBev was forced to divest Modelo’s U.S. business to win U.S. antitrust approval. With the purchase of Modelo, Anheuser-Busch InBev now has the popular Corona beer to sell in fast-growing international markets.

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD) is hoping that the Modelo acquisition spurs revenue growth and offsets declining beer volumes. Last quarter, the company was only able to grow revenue 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Total beer sales actually declined 1.5%.

To improve sales of its flagship beer, Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD) is targeting the beer can market like Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM). Budweiser is launching a new bow-tie can to help boost sales. Sales of Budweiser were hurt after a group of beer drinkers filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that Budweiser “watered” down its beer. While any court victory by the beer drinkers would have minimal financial impact on Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD), the negative PR from the lawsuit hasn’t helped the company and its marketing. The company has instituted new safety checks to ensure that its beer does not get watered down in the brewing process.

Anheuser-Busch InBev joins the craft beer alliance

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD) sees the trend towards craft beers and as a result purchased a 32.2% stake in Craft Brew Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:BREW). Craft Brew Alliance makes the increasingly popular craft beers Red Hook, Kona, and Widmer. Besides having Anheuser-Busch InBev as a primary shareholder, the company relies on Anheuser-Busch InBev to distribute its craft beers.

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