Boston Beer 4Q Profit Slides 47 Percent On Charges

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Beer Co., which brews Samuel Adams beer and other beverages, on Tuesday posted a decline in fourth-quarter profit on an asset impairment charge and higher costs for raw and packaging materials.

Boston Beer's profit declined 47 percent to $3.6 million, or 25 cents per share, from $6.8 million, or 46 cents per share, a year earlier.

Results included $1.9 million in impairment charges and $42.6 million in operating expenses, compared with $39 million in operating expenses a year earlier. ...