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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 hZ7TALcYLgt1OCFilTrTtA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-004140.txt : 20031104
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-004140.hdr.sgml : 20031104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031104154430
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-004140
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031103
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031104

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:			KAUTZ JAMES C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001029616

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14092
		FILM NUMBER:		03976317

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		251 OAK RIDGE AVENUE
		CITY:			SUMMIT
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129027202

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		251 OAK RIDGE AVENUE
		CITY:			SUMMIT
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-03</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000949870</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOSTON BEER CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SAM</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001029616</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAUTZ JAMES C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>251 OAK RIDGE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUMMIT, NJ</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class A Common</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-11-03</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>25000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>17.0271</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>477531</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value>Owned by Kautz Family Partners L.P. of which the undersigned is a partner</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Kathleen H. Wade under Power of Attorney for James C. Kautz</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-11-04</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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