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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest reported) May 1, 2002
THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its chapter)
Massachusetts 01-14092 04-328-4048
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation File Number) Identification No.)
75 Arlington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 368-5000
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 1. Changes in Control of Registrant.
None
Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
None
Item 3. Bankruptcy or Receivership.
None
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
During the first quarter of 2002, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (the
"Company") commenced a review of its independent auditing services and,
as part of the process, interviewed and evaluated the services provided
by its existing independent auditors, Arthur Andersen, LLP
("Andersen"), and three other independent auditing firms. As a result
of such review and evaluation, the Company has elected, effective May
1, 2002, to change its independent auditors for the Company's fiscal
year ending December 28, 2002 to Deloitte & Touche.
The Company is not making this appointment of independent auditors
as a result of any disagreements with Andersen with respect to any
reporting or disclosure requirements. The report of Andersen on the
financial statements for either of the past two years did not contain
an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor was any such report
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting
principles. The decision to change independent auditors was
recommended by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company and subsequently, on April 29, 2002, was approved by the Board
of Directors of the Company.
There were no disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, between the Company and its independent auditors during the
Company's two most recent fiscal years or during the year-to-date
period ended March 27, 2002.
The Company provided Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosures.
Attached as Exhibit 16 is a copy of Andersen's letter, dated May 1,
2002, stating its agreement with such statements.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and through the date
of this Form 8-K, the Company did not consult Deloitte & Touche with
respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed, of the type of audit opinion
that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial
statements, or any other matters or reportable events listed in Items
304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
None
Item 6. Resignations of Registrant's Directors.
None
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
None
Item 8. Change in Fiscal Year.
None
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.
None
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.
Date: May 1, 2002 /S/ Martin F. Roper
_____________________
Martin F. Roper, President and C.E.O.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
16 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP
to the Securities and Exchange
Commission dated May 1, 2002
20 Press Release dated May 1, 2002
Exhibit 16
Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20549
May 1, 2002
Dear Sir or Madam,
We have read Item 4 included in the attached Form 8-K dated May 1, 2002
of The Boston Beer Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP
Exhibit 20
THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. APPOINTS
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
BOSTON, May 1, 2002. -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) today
announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche as the
Company's independent accountants beginning with fiscal year 2002.
"We look forward to working with Deloitte & Touche in the firm's new
role as Boston Beer's independent accountants," said Martin F. Roper, Boston
Beer's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Arthur Andersen, LLP has served as the Company's independent
accountants since 1998. "Arthur Andersen's Boston team provided first-class
professional work for Boston Beer over the last four years," said Mr. Roper.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. is America's leading brewer of
world-class beer. Founded in 1984 by sixth-generation brewer Jim Koch, the
Company has won more than 200 international awards for its better-tasting beers.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R) is the Company's flagship brand, celebrated
worldwide for its high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.
The result is a beer renowned by drinkers for its full flavor, balance,
complexity, and consistent quality. For more information, visit the web site at
www.samadams.com.
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