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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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 OaVh0LgC8AyDnjmmvyIdmg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-06-000078.txt : 20060103
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-06-000078.hdr.sgml : 20060102
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060103164108
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-06-000078
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

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

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14092
		FILM NUMBER:		06502967

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2034319047

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		140 BARRY AVE
		CITY:			RIDGEFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06877

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <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>427 SOUTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEEDHAM,MA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02492</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>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.95</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.95</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reporting Person's right to exercise this option is contingent upon the Company's 2006 performance against a benchmark, which performance will be determined by the Company's Board of Directors on or before March 1, 2007. If the Company does not meet the benchmark, the Option shall lapse as to 50% or all of the shares, based on the Board's determination. If the benchmark is met or exceeded, the option may become exercisable as to a maximum of 2,000 shares on each of March 1, 2007 and January 1 in each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, so long as the Reporting Person continues to be employed by the Company on the applilcable vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William F. Urich</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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