Boston Beer is facing a potential $175.5 million in damages after a jury sided with a packaging supplier who claimed the alcohol giant breached a contract for aluminum can purchases.
A jury ruled in favor of Ardagh Metal Packaging on April 6 in its lawsuit against the Sam Adams brewer, which alleged Boston Beer failed or would fail to purchase a contractual minimum amount of cans between 2021 and 2025. Boston Beer denies the claim, and said in a securities filing on April 10 that it “intends to pursue all available post-trial motions and appellate remedies.”
The $175.5 million fine includes offsetting the counter claim Boston Beer filed against Ardagh, which said Ardagh failed to deliver aluminum cans that were “free from material defects and that meet the terms and specifications provided under the parties’ supply agreement.”
Boston Beer reports its first quarter 2026 results on April 30 and is in the process of assessing the financial impact of the ruling and any interest that may incur. It plans to pay for the fine with cash on hand.
The initial lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The jury’s commentary in the case is filed under seal.
