Boston Beer (SAM) vs Molson Coors Beverage (TAP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Molson Coors Beverage (TAP) has outperformed Boston Beer (SAM) over the past year, losing 20.0% versus a loss of 24.1%. Over five years, TAP leads with a -19.0% price change compared with -67.1% for SAM. Molson Coors Beverage is the larger company by market cap ($6.89 billion vs $1.73 billion), about 4.0 times the size.
On valuation, Molson Coors Beverage trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 16.4x for Boston Beer). Molson Coors Beverage pays a dividend yielding 5.14%, while Boston Beer does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | SAM | TAP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $168.16 | $36.95 |
| Market cap | $1.73B | $6.89B |
| 1-day change | -1.30% | +0.11% |
| YTD return | -13.82% | -20.84% |
| 1-year return | -24.06% | -19.99% |
| 5-year return | -67.12% | -19.00% |
| Forward P/E | 16.41 | 7.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-6.58 | $-11.65 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 5.14% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.90 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $13.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | -5.05% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $-2.14B |
| Gross margin | — | 32.78% |
| Operating margin | — | -17.92% |
| Net margin | — | -16.41% |
| 52-week high | $264.46 | $54.82 |
| 52-week low | $158.68 | $35.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.41% | -32.60% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.00% | +22.06% |
| Average volume | 251.69K | 3.75M |
| Shares outstanding | 8.22M | 174.12M |
| Employees | 2,736 | 16,200 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Beverages (Production/Distribution) | Beverages - Brewers |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Molson Coors Beverage is about 4.0 times larger than Boston Beer by market value ($6.89B vs $1.73B).
- Molson Coors Beverage offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.14% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Boston Beer in Consumer Staples and Molson Coors Beverage in Consumer Defensive.
About Boston Beer
SAM stock →The Boston Beer Company, Inc. produces and sells alcohol beverages primarily in the United States.
Consumer Staples · Beverages (Production/Distribution) · 2,736 employees
About Molson Coors Beverage
TAP stock →Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells beer and other malt beverage products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits, and ready to drink beverages.
Consumer Defensive · Beverages - Brewers · 16,200 employees
SAM vs TAP FAQ
Which is bigger, Boston Beer or Molson Coors Beverage?
Molson Coors Beverage (TAP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.89B compared with $1.73B for Boston Beer (SAM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SAM or TAP?
TAP returned -19.99% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.06% for SAM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Boston Beer or Molson Coors Beverage?
Molson Coors Beverage pays a dividend yielding 5.14%, while Boston Beer does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Boston Beer and Molson Coors Beverage in the same industry?
No. Boston Beer is in the Consumer Staples sector, while Molson Coors Beverage is in Consumer Defensive.