Boston Beer Company, the brewer of Samuel Adams, is phasing out its operations in Los Angeles, California to focus on its "core, national brands".  

In a statement yesterday (7 August), the group said: "We have made the very difficult decision to phase out our BBC LA operations." 

The company confirmed it will gradually reduce operations at its Truly LA taproom "over the next few months", and move the space to "Friday and Saturday service only by the end of the year". It also plans to "repurpose the space as overflow and rental space".

The Angry Orchard cider maker also said it planned to continue running its Angel City Brewery throughout the remainder of its lease, which runs to April next year.

Boston Beer said that it would be looking to sell Angel City within that period.

“While Angel City Brewery has been doing well, the brand no longer lines up with our long-term growth strategy,” the Truly hard seltzer producer said, adding: "Our overall strategy at Boston Beer is to focus on growing our core, national brands."

It added: “We believe there is potential for this brand to succeed outside of Boston Beer as a strong local offering, and we will be putting significant efforts behind selling Angel City so the brand can continue to live on.” 

The company did not disclose the number of employees that will be impacted by the move but it did note that it was making the changes "gradually" so staff have "the opportunity to do what's best for them".

"The goal is to absorb as many Truly LA coworkers as possible into our Angel City Brewery team for the duration of the lease and avoid a significant impact to coworker shifts," it added.

Earlier this week Boston Beer announced Jim Koch, its founder and chairman, will return as CEO.  Koch was at the helm from 1984 to 2001.  

He will takeover from Michael Spillane, who has been in the role since April last year. Spillane will remain on the Boston Beer board as a non-executive director. He has been a director at the Angry Orchard cider owner since 2016.