Sam Posts Mixed Quarter

Sam Adams brewer Boston Beer reported that shipments in the first quarter were up a big 6.5%, while distributor sales to retailers where down 1.4%. That suggests a big inventory build for Sam wholesalers. Basically, what happened is that January beer sales sucked wind because the liquor companies were discounting heavily. Like most brewers this year, Boston Beer over-shipped in January, forcing distributors to triple-stack pallets of beer outside by the rail siding, protected by tarps of course. Sales picked