Significant Accounting Policies

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

We maintain cash balances with financial institutions that may exceed federally insured limits. We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we did not have any cash equivalents.

Under our cash management system, we utilize a controlled disbursement account to fund cash distribution checks presented for payment by the holder. Checks issued but not yet presented to banks may result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were $0.3 million and $0.6 million of bank overdrafts, respectively. Changes in bank overdrafts from period to period are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a component of operating activities within Accounts payable and Other accrued expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under terms of certain contractual agreements are recorded in Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019 we no longer had any restricted cash. Restricted cash of $0.5 million at December 31, 2018 represented funds held in an escrow account from the sale of our Woodinville brewery related to a lien; the lien was resolved in our favor and the restriction was removed in the third quarter of 2019.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable primarily consists of trade receivables due from wholesalers and A-B for beer and promotional product sales. Because of state liquor laws and each wholesaler’s agreement with A-B, we do not have collectability issues related to the sale of our beer products. Accordingly, we do not regularly provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for beer sales. We have provided an allowance for promotional merchandise receivables that have been invoiced to the wholesaler, which reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts. We determine the allowance based on historical customer experience and other currently available evidence. When a specific account is deemed uncollectible, the account is written off against the allowance. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $25,000 at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Activity related to our allowance for doubtful accounts was immaterial in 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Inventories

Inventories, except for pub food, beverages and supplies, are stated at the lower of standard cost or net realizable value. Pub food, beverages and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

We regularly review our inventories for the presence of obsolete product attributed to age, seasonality and quality. If our review indicates a reduction in utility below the product’s carrying value, we reduce the product to a new cost basis. We record the cost of inventory for which we estimate we have more than a twelve-month supply as a component of Intangible and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated amortization. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; renewals and betterments are capitalized. Upon disposal of equipment and leasehold improvements, the accounts are relieved of the costs and related accumulated depreciation or amortization, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements is provided on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



Buildings	30 – 50 years
Brewery equipment	10 – 25 years
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	2 – 10 years
Vehicles	5 years
Leasehold improvements	The lesser of useful life or term of the lease

Leases

We account for leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases, which we adopted on January 1, 2019, electing the optional transition method under which we initially applied the standard on that date without adjusting amounts for prior periods, which we continue to present in accordance with ASC 840, including related disclosures.

We lease office space, restaurant and production facilities, warehouse and storage space, land and equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through the year ending December 31, 2064. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices or scheduled adjustments. We exercise judgment in determining the reasonably certain lease term based on the provisions of the underlying agreement, the economic value of leasehold improvements and other relevant factors. Certain leases require us to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Under the terms of the land lease for our New Hampshire Brewery, we hold a first right of refusal to purchase the property should the lessor decide to sell the property.

We lease equipment under finance leases that expire at various dates through the year ending December 31, 2024. Ownership of the leased equipment transfers to us at the end of each lease term.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

If our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we develop an estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date based on the estimated rate at which we would borrow, in the current economic environment, an amount equal to the lease payments over a similar term on a collateralized basis which is used to determine the present value of lease payments. There were no new operating lease obligations recognized at adoption in comparison to our operating lease obligations disclosed as of December 31, 2018. Our accounting for finance (formerly capital) leases is substantially unchanged.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate potential impairment of long-lived assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of such assets may be impaired. An evaluation of recoverability is performed by comparing the carrying value of the assets to projected future undiscounted cash flows. Upon indication that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss in the current period in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2017, a $0.5 million impairment charge was recorded as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the sale of our Woodinville brewery. There were no impairments recorded during 2019 or 2018.

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using a straight line basis of accounting. Definite-lived intangible assets and their respective estimated lives are as follows:



Distributor agreements	15 years
Non-compete agreements	2 years

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but rather is reviewed for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we then perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value, and, if an indication of goodwill impairment exists in the reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of any impairment loss. Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill as determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two does not need to be performed. We conduct our annual impairment test as of December 31 of each year and have determined there to be no impairment for any of the periods presented.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of trademarks, domain name and recipes. We evaluate the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value measured by using discounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. We have determined there to be no impairment for any of the periods presented.

Refundable Deposits on Kegs

We distribute our draft beer in kegs that are owned by us and are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the keg. When draft beer is shipped to the wholesaler, we collect a refundable deposit, presented as a current liability, Refundable deposits, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon return of the keg to us, the deposit is refunded to the wholesaler.

We have experienced some loss of kegs and anticipate that some loss will occur in future periods due to the significant volume of kegs handled by each wholesaler and retailer, the homogeneous nature of kegs owned by most brewers, and the relatively small deposit collected for each keg when compared with its market value. In order to estimate forfeited deposits attributable to lost kegs, we periodically use internal records, records maintained by A-B, records maintained by other third party vendors and historical information to estimate the physical count of kegs held by wholesalers and A-B. These estimates affect the amount recorded as equipment and refundable deposits as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. The actual liability for refundable deposits may differ from estimates. Our Consolidated Balance Sheets included $3.4 million and $3.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, in Refundable deposits on kegs and $8.5 million and $9.2 million, respectively, in keg equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, included as a component of Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net.

Concentrations of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk consist principally of Accounts receivable. While wholesalers and A-B account for substantially all Accounts receivable, this concentration risk is limited due to the number of wholesalers, their geographic dispersion and state laws regulating the financial affairs of wholesalers of alcoholic beverages.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from product sales, net of excise taxes, discounts and certain fees we must pay in connection with sales to a member of the A-B wholesale distributor network, when the products are delivered to the member. A member of the A-B wholesale distributor network may be a branch of A-B or an independent wholesale distributor. As our revenue recognition policy was not materially changed by the adoption of ASC 606 in 2018, this policy applied to all periods presented.

We recognize revenue on contract brewing sales when the product is shipped to our contract brewing customer, at which point our performance obligations have been fulfilled.

We recognize revenue on retail sales at the time of sale and we recognize revenue from events at the time of the event, in both cases this marks the time when our performance obligation(s) are fulfilled.

We recognize revenue related to non-refundable payments to be received on specified dates throughout a contract term on a straight-line basis over the life of the related contract or contracts as this effectively models the satisfaction over time of the underlying performance obligations.

See Note 13 for additional information.

Excise Taxes

The federal government levies excise taxes on the sale of alcoholic beverages, including beer. For brewers producing less than two million barrels of beer per calendar year, the federal excise tax until December 31, 2017, was $7.00 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels of beer removed for consumption or sale during the calendar year, and $18.00 per barrel for each barrel in excess of 60,000 barrels. Beginning January 1, 2018, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), our federal excise tax rate on beer decreased from $7.00 per barrel to$3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels of beer removed for consumption or sale during the calendar year, and from $18.00 per barrel to $16.00 per barrel for each barrel in excess of 60,000 barrels. Our beer brewed by in A-B's Fort Collins, Colorado brewery is taxed at the large brewer rate of $18.00 per barrel. Due to an extension, these lower rates currently expire at the end of 2020. Individual states also impose excise taxes on alcoholic beverages in varying amounts. As presented in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, Sales reflects the amounts invoiced to A-B, wholesalers and other customers. Excise taxes due to federal and state agencies are not collected from our customers, but rather are our responsibility. Net sales, as presented in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, are reduced by applicable federal and state excise taxes.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities

We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (reduction of revenue) basis.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Costs incurred to ship our product are included in Cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising costs, consisting of television, radio, print, outdoor advertising, on-line and social media, sponsorships, trade events, promotions and printed product information, as well as costs to produce these media, are expensed as incurred. The costs associated with point of sale display items and related promotional merchandise are inventoried and charged to expense when first used. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we recognized costs for all of these activities totaling $23.5 million, $16.9 million and $14.8 million, respectively, which are reflected as Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Advertising expenses frequently involve the local wholesaler sharing in the cost of the program. Reimbursements from wholesalers for advertising and promotion activities are recorded as a reduction to Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Pricing discounts to wholesalers are recorded as a reduction of Sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of restricted stock unit awards is determined based on the number of units granted and the quoted price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated at the grant date as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model. The BSM model requires various judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.

The estimated fair value of stock-based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity.

The estimated fair value of performance-based stock awards is recognized over the service period based on an assessment of the probability that performance goals will be met. We re-measure the probability of achieving the performance goals during each reporting period. In future reporting periods, if we determine that performance goals are not probable of occurrence, no additional compensation expense would be recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense would be reversed.

Legal Costs

We are a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. We accrue for certain legal costs, including attorney fees, as well as potential settlement amounts and other losses related to various legal proceedings that are estimable and probable. If not estimable and probable, legal costs are expensed as incurred as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are established for the difference between the financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We recognize the benefits of tax return positions when it is determined that the positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. Interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as tax expense in the period incurred. There are no interest or penalties accrued on the unrecognized tax benefits. We do not anticipate any changes to the unrecognized tax benefits within the coming year.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we recognized the impact of the TCJA, which reduced our federal tax rate from 34% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. This reduction resulted in a $6.9 million decrease to our deferred tax liability, which was recognized as a reduction to our income tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period of enactment. Our accounting for the income tax effects of the TCJA is complete, and we do not anticipate adjustments to such accounting in future periods.

Segment Information

Our chief operating decision maker monitors Net sales and gross margins of our Beer Related operations and our Brewpubs operations. Beer Related operations include the brewing operations and related domestic and international sales of our beer and cider brands. Brewpubs operations primarily include our brewpubs, some of which are located adjacent to our Beer Related operations. We do not track operating results beyond the gross margin level or our assets on a segment level.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares that were outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of common share equivalents calculated under the treasury stock method. Performance-based restricted stock grants are included in basic and diluted earnings per share when the underlying performance metrics have been met.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.