Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's data to conform to the current year's presentation. None of the changes affect our previously reported consolidated Net sales, Gross profit, Operating income, Net income or Basic or diluted net income per share.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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.

Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Accounts Receivables

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.

Inventory

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

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.

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.

Concentration of Risk

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

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, Excise Taxes, Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities, and Shipping and Handling Costs

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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2019-12

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions to the general approach to the income tax accounting model, and adds new guidance to reduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. We are still evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2019-12.

ASU 2018-15

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract." ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are still evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2018-15.

ASU 2018-13

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." ASU 2018-13 removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are still evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2018-13.

ASU 2017-04

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. An entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, if applicable. The loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The same impairment test also applies to any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, on a prospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ASU 2016-13

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)." ASU 2016-13 addresses accounting for credit losses for assets that are not measured at fair value through net income on a recurring basis. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13 to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ASU 2016-02, ASU2018-10 and ASU 2018-11

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." ASU 2016-02 increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases." ASU 2018-10 provides narrow amendments that clarify how to apply certain aspects of the guidance in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-10 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements." ASU 2018-11 provides an optional transition method, that allows entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. ASU 2018-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods.

The new leases guidance affects all companies and organizations that lease assets, and requires them to record on their balance sheet right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Under ASC 842, a lease is an arrangement that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, while requiring companies to recognize both types of leases on their balance sheet. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in legacy U.S. GAAP - ASC 840. Lessor accounting remains substantially the same as ASC 840, but with some targeted improvements to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and with the revised revenue recognition guidance under ASC 606. The new standard and amendments require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures for both lessees and lessors.

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842 and elected 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 evaluated the potential cumulative effect of applying the new leases guidance and determined that such an adjustment would be immaterial. In connection with our adoption, we:


•	elected the package of three practical expedients available under the transition provisions which allowed us to: (i) not reassess whether expired or existing contracts were or contained leases, (ii) not reassess the lease classification for expired or existing leases, and (iii) not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases.


•	determined the land easement practical expedient was not applicable.


•	as applicable, used hindsight for specified determinations and assessments in applying the new leases guidance.


•	did not separate lease and associated non-lease components for transitioned leases, but instead are accounting for them together as a single lease component.


•	elected to utilize the recognition exemption for short-term leases of one year or less at inception

Our adoption did not change the classification of lease-related expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and our pattern of expense recognition did not change significantly. As a result, our adoption did not materially affect our cash flows.

The adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheets upon adoption of ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):



	Balance at December 31, 2018		Adjustments due to ASC 842			Balance at January 1, 2019
Assets
Accounts receivable	$	29,998	$	300		$	30,298
Other current assets	3,121		(216		)	2,905
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	113,189		(2,538		)	110,651
Operating lease right-of-use assets	—		19,726			19,726
Intangible and other assets, net	5,048		1,140			6,188

Liabilities
Other accrued expenses	3,618		269			3,887
Long-term lease liabilities	—		18,143			18,143

See Note 8 for additional information.