May 10, 2019. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) and Dogfish Head Brewery have signed a definitive merger agreement this week creating a large American-owned platform for craft beer.
Nixon Peabody served as legal counsel to Boston Beer in this deal which will give the combined company a leading position in the high end of the U.S. beer market. The deal also brings together two of the leading founder brewers in the U.S., Jim Koch from Boston Beer and Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head.
Once the merger is complete, Dave Burwick, CEO of Boston Beer, will lead the combined company which will keep its status as an independent Craft brewery. The deal will better position Boston Beer and Dogfish Head to compete against global beer conglomerates within the craft beer category.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019. Boston corporate senior counsel Fred Grein, who has represented Boston Beer since its founding in 1984, led Nixon Peabody’s deal team which included partners Alycia Ziarno, Kelly Babson, Frank Emmons and associate Joe Flynn, along with a number of additional attorneys and staff.
