Jim Koch on Succession, Growth & the BA

Dear Client:When Boston Beer Co. share trades halted before the company released news of raised depletions guidance Wednesday, some wondered about a possible takeover. That wasn't the case, but it made us wonder about succession plans for founder Jim Koch anyway. Jim's wife Cynthia, an entrepreneur herself [of the stem cell industry], is on Boston's board. But there is "no heir apparent." "Basically the way I deal with the successor issue is: Don't die. Keep working," said Jim. We asked