Mountain Man Brewing Case
Preparation Questions:
1. What is distinctive about the Mountain Man Brewing
Company’s brand? What is distinctive about their
customers?
2. What are the general trends in the beer market (at
the time of the case) in the market Mountain Man
serves?
3. Calculate the % decline in operating margin over the
next 5 years using these assumptions:
a. Revenues in 2005 = $50,440,000 (Exhibit 1)
b. Gross Margin in 2005 = $15,630,000 (Exhibit
1)
c. Sales decline 2%/year (case)
d. Fixed Costs remain constant/year =
$10,990,000 (Exhibit 1)
4. Calculate time to BE if we introduce a Light Beer
with following assumptions:
a. Revenues (2005): $50,440,000 (Exhibit 1)
b. Barrel Production (2005): 520,000 (from
“Challenges Ahead” section)
c. Variable Cost/bbl = $66.93 (from
“Challenges Ahead” section)
d. Higher Variable cost to produce light beer =
+4.69 (from “Challenges Ahead” section):
e. Projected decline in Premium lager sales = -
4% (Exhibit 5A)
f. Projected loss in sales of MM lager due to
introduction of light beer: 5%
g. Incremental Fixed Cost for light beer
introduction (first year only): $750,000
(advertising)
h. Incremental Fixed Costs/year: (SG&A):
$900,000 (for light beer introduction)
i. East Central Light Beer Market (2005):
$18,744,303 (Exhibit 5)
j. Expected growth rate in light beer market:
+4% (Exhibit 5)
k. Anticipated market share of MMLight =
+.25%/year (for first five years)
5. Calculate 5-year NPV for introduction of a light beer
assuming a 5% additional loss in MM lager sales
due to the introduction of the light beer, 2%
decrease in MM lager sales/year, 12% discount rate
(footnote 6), 4% growth in light beer market, and
market share for MM Light of +.25%/year (assume
Revenue and Cost figures above)
6. Should Chris introduce a light beer? If yes, briefly
describe an effective communication/distribution
strategy. If no, be prepared to discuss why not (in
detail) and prepared to discuss other strategic
options to counter the predicted loss in sales.