-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MxVEAo/NGbEYHMKyvz3KHUtb7PjmhvzmdMyc02/stsNSzPIZDnw3RjlfXFwAgEqG
 Iy3peSUjUYznYZDsJ5hk4w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-003206.txt : 20030908
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-003206.hdr.sgml : 20030908
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030908152321
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-003206
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030908

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOSTON BEER CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000949870
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MALT BEVERAGES [2082]
		IRS NUMBER:				043284048
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1226

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		75 ARLINGTON ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6174821332

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		75 ARLINGTON ST
		STREET 2:		5TH FL
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			URICH WILLIAM F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260884

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14092
		FILM NUMBER:		03885988

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		140 BARRY AVE
		CITY:			RIDGEFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06877
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2034319047

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		140 BARRY AVE
		CITY:			RIDGEFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06877
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-08</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000949870</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOSTON BEER CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SAM</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260884</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>URICH WILLIAM F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>140 BARRY AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RIDGEFIELD, CT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06877</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class A Common</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>0</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>William F. Urich</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-09-08</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----