(Actor William Shatner)

The beer biz never sleeps at American Craft Beer. And here’s just some of what’s been happening in the beer world while you were enjoying the weekend.

William Shatner Likes Beer!

Actor William Shatner, whose career has spanned over seven decades, is most famous for his commanding role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. Shatner played Captain Kirk in the original series (1966–1969) and seven feature films. He also notably shared one of the first interracial kisses on scripted U.S. television with Nichelle Nichols in 1968.

What he’s not famous for is beer, but maybe he should be.

In an interview with Cheese Connoisseur, Shatner said, “Oh, I love beers from all over the world, especially ones that are dark, heavy, bitter, and chocolaty.” That sounds similar to Captain Kirk’s preference for high-octane Romulan Ale.

The beverage was outlawed by the United Federation of Planets in the early 2280s. This was not due to its strength, but because of a trade embargo resulting from the hostile political relationship between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire. Despite the ban, it was common for Starfleet officers to keep “medicinal” supplies of it. Dr. McCoy famously gave Admiral Kirk a vintage bottle for his birthday.

Word to Drink By

“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical” — Arthur C. Clarke, British science fiction writer, futurist, and inventor

Boston Beer Facing $175.5M Legal Hit

Boston Beer Company is staring down a potentially pricey legal loss.

The brewer says it could be on the hook for $175.5 million after a federal jury in Illinois sided with Ardagh Metal Packaging in a contract dispute over beer cans. The decision was disclosed in a recent SEC filing, though the court hasn’t officially entered judgment yet and post-trial motions are still to come.

According to MarketWatch, Boston Beer isn’t backing down. The company says it disagrees with the verdict and plans to challenge it through post-trial motions and, if needed, an appeal.

At the center of the case: a supply agreement covering 2021 through 2025. Ardagh argued that Boston Beer didn’t meet the minimum purchase requirements for aluminum cans laid out in the deal.

For now, Boston Beer is preparing for the financial hit, estimating a one-time pre-tax charge of $175.5 million—plus interest if it applies. The company says it would cover the cost using cash on hand and its credit line, and doesn’t expect the situation to disrupt the company’s day-to-day operations.

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