EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1534708
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1534708_10-K_2022_0001493152-22-008172.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (the “Company,” “Eastside Distilling,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” below) was incorporated under the laws of Nevada in 2004 under the name of Eurocan Holdings, Ltd. In December 2014, we changed our corporate name to Eastside Distilling, Inc. to reflect our acquisition of Eastside Distilling, LLC. We operate in two segments. Our Spirits segment manufactures, blends, bottles, markets and sells a wide variety of alcoholic beverages under recognized brands in 34 U.S. states. Our Craft Canning and Bottling segment provides canning and bottling services to the craft beer and cider industries in Washington, Oregon and Colorado. We employ 71 people in the United States.
Mission-What We Do
Our mission is to source, make and deliver the best in class, end-to-end craft spirits brands and product portfolio; and we contract pack cans and bottles with distinct capability and craftsmanship.
Vision-What We Want to Be
To be the one premium, preferred and “scaled” craft spirits, mobile canning and can printing company in the Western United States dominating the markets and segments we choose to serve.
Strategy
Our spirits brands span several alcoholic beverage categories, including whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, tequila and Ready-to-Drink (“RTD”). We sell our products on a wholesale basis to distributors in open states, and brokers in control states. Craft Canning + Bottling (“Craft C+B”) primarily services the craft beer, cider and kombucha business. Craft C+B operates 14 mobile lines in Seattle and Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Denver, Colorado.
Eastside Distilling is unique in several specific areas: (1) to our knowledge, we are the only craft spirits company listed on Nasdaq, (2) we do not function as a traditional craft distillery with store fronts relying on local sales, (3) our contract manufacturing division is diversified, and (4) we have a diversified portfolio of spirits brands. We are similar to other craft distillers in that (1) we have concentrated local volume, (2) we produce small batches and remain within the volume definition of “Craft”, and (3) our brands achieve success through differentiation, discovery and distribution.
The U.S. spirits market is occupied by large multi-national conglomerates with substantially more resources than Eastside Distilling. However, we can use our small size to be fast, focused, and flexible in our strategy. If we attempt to grow too quickly, we may lack the underlying strength required to build scale with loyalty via strong unaided awareness and powerfully derived attributes. Moreover, attempting to focus our “frame-of-reference” to compete with the biggest brands in the most expensive venues, is likely to fail unless we first establish underlying brand equity.
Our strategy is to utilize our public company stature to our advantage and position to expand our two distinct businesses - Spirits and Craft C+B. Our spirits portfolio is to be positioned as a leading regional craft spirits provider that develops brands, expands geographic presence and positions for either a sale to a tier 1 supplier or continued ownership with growth in revenue and cash flow. We look to grow and vertically integrate our Craft C+B business to expand our product offerings and improve our competitive position. These two segments are detailed below.
Segments
Spirits
Over the years, we have developed, matured, perfected, or acquired then launched many award-winning spirits while evolving to meet the growing demand for quality products and services associated with the burgeoning craft and premium beverage trade. Our portfolio includes originals like the Quercus garryana barrel-finished Burnside Whiskey family, Portland Potato Vodka, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum, and Azuñia Tequilas. We strive to bring premium beverages to the masses, not the few.
● Burnside Whiskey Family - Our Burnside Whiskey Family celebrates the unique attributes of the native Oregon Oak tree (Quercus garryana). The unique complexity of each distinct whiskey comes from blending Oregon Oak barrels of differing sizes, char levels, and ages. After an initial experiment in 2012, we made it our mission to turn the Burnside program into a one-of-a-kind oak study.
● Portland Potato Vodka - Our award-winning premium craft vodka is distilled four times to ensure a smooth finish. While most vodka is made from grain, we source award winning premium potato ethanol and blend it with pristine water sourced from Oregon.
● Hue-Hue (pronounced “way-way”) Coffee Rum - Premium silver rum is blended with concentrated cold-brewed coffee and a small amount of Demerara sugar. We source fair-trade, single-origin Arabica coffee beans from the Finca El Paternal Estate in Huehuetenango, Guatemala that are lightly roasted for us by Portland Coffee Roasters.
● Azuñia Tequilas - Smooth, clean, tequilas crafted by Rancho Miravalle, a second generation, family-owned-and-operated estate, bursting with authentic flavor from the local terroir of Tequila Valley, Mexico. 100% pure Weber Blue Agave is harvested by hand, roasted in traditional clay hornos, and finished with a natural, open-air fermentation process. It is bottled on-site in small batches using a consistent process to deliver consistent field-to-bottle quality and exclusively exported by Agaveros Unidos de Amatitán.
● Eastside Brands - We make the unique by blending together the unusual, craft inspired, experiential brands and high-quality artisan, in-and-out, seasonal and ongoing limited edition products. Each Eastside-branded product is rare and hard-to-get with a peculiar balance of age and innovation, craftsmanship and curiosity, creativity and restraint.
Craft Canning + Bottling
With 10 years of experience in the canning business, we’ve become the West’s most trusted and premier mobile packaging provider. We serve locations in Oregon, Washington and Colorado. Our team of professionals have packaged hundreds of award-winning products across both established and innovative beverage segments - beer, wine, cider, RTD cocktails, kombucha, seltzer, and many more. We use extensive proprietary and data-driven quality control measures and a robust clean-in-place procedure in order to provide the best packaging service for our customers. We take great pride in helping local beverage producers expand their distribution reach by using our service to offer industry-top quality and branding. Our greatest asset is the unmatched expertise of our talented group of packaging professionals who show up every day to go above and beyond to get the job done.
Our Craft mobile team offers a variety of services and products, including:
● High Mobile Canning Capacity - We operate 14 Wild Goose MC-250 machines, with the capacity to can over 150,000 barrels per year. In addition to the canning lines, we use custom in-house designed fully automated depalletizers and twist rinses.
● Large Craft Volumes - With capabilities of around 600-800 cases per shift, we can manage any volume. Averaging 40 cans per minute, each machine can do 100 cases per hour.
● Dedicated Team - All of our employees are carefully and rigorously trained. A fully insured workforce is ready to take on any and all of the customer’s packaging needs. We believe in continuous improvement and we understand the value of our clients’ products and dedicate ourselves to making every run a successful run.
● Quality Control - Hach Orbispheres measure our dissolved oxygen (“DO”) during packaging to ensure the lowest Total Packaged Oxygen for the customer’s can. We use luminometers and ATP swabs to ensure sanitation of our equipment. We can provide Zahm & Nagel volume meters to measure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) volumes in carbonated products before packaging. As masters of the “double seam” we frequently take on-site measurements with micrometers. We also offer CMC Kuhnke technology to generate even more accurate measurements in the form of visual seam reports.
● Velcorin and Nitrogen Dosing - We have both velcorin and nitrogen dosing capabilities that supports microbial control and allows packaging of still products in addition to carbonated and nitrogenated beverages.
● Pre-printing and Outfeed Labeling - Bringing on advanced digital can printing technology from Hinterkopf in Q2 2022 allows us to offer customers both world-class aesthetics and full sustainability in an end-to-end branding and packaging solution, accessible from our smallest to our largest customers. We also provide outfeed labeling and the ability to package customer-provided branded cans of all varieties.
● Location Flexibility - We allow our customers to choose the location of canning. We bring our mobile equipment to their facility, or our customers can bring their product to us for co-packing.
We have secured an innovative printer that will revolutionize the growing custom canning operation. The new printer, the German-made Hinterkopf D240.2, is the only one of its kind on the West Coast and one of ten in the world. The new acquisition gives Craft C+B the ability to offer unparalleled customization and flexibility to craft beverage producers seeking direct printing for canning projects of all sizes. The new printer will be in operation starting April 2022.
We will print 12-ounce or 16-ounce cans in any quantity with any image, with a minimum order of 400 cans. This flexibility allows for custom graphics of limited releases, vintages, partnerships, and special events.
In anticipation of the printer, we partnered with a leading can provider to provide quality canning services from end to end. The new partnership guarantees a current and future supply of domestically manufactured Crown cans, cost-effective solutions for our customers, and improved logistics for beverage producers.
Production and Supply
Bringing a brand to market involves several important stages, including bottle and label design, raw materials procurement, filling the bottles, and packaging the bottles in various configurations for shipment. To achieve a unique flavor profile for each brand, we use one or more of the following techniques: infusion of fruit, addition of natural flavorings, blending of products, and aging in selected casks. Once the final profile is approved and quality control standards are met, we filter the liquid as needed and bottle or can the product.
We rely on a limited number of suppliers for the sourcing of our spirit products and raw materials, including our distillate products and other ingredients. These suppliers consist of third-party producers in the U.S and Mexico. One key supplier is Agaveros Unidos de Amatitan, SA. de CV., which supplies tequila to us. We are working with this key supplier to adjust contract terms that we have been subject to since the acquisition of the Azuñia Tequila assets in 2019. We do not have long-term, written agreements with any of our other suppliers for the production of raw materials. However, we believe that we have consistent and reliable third-party sources for the needed materials. We produce and bottle all our spirits for distribution, regardless of whether the distillation phase of the process was at our facility or at one of our suppliers.
Distribution Network
U.S. Distribution
Producers and importers of beverage alcohol in the U.S. must sell their products through a three-tier distribution system. Typically, a brand is first sold to a network of distributors, or wholesalers, covering the U.S., in either “open” states or “control” states.
In the 33 open states, the distributors are generally large, privately held companies. The distributors and wholesalers in turn sell to individual retailers, such as liquor stores, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and other outlets licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. We primarily focus our distribution efforts in six open states; California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Washington and Florida.
In the 17 control states, the states themselves function as the distributor, and regulate suppliers, including our Company. In control states, producers and importers sell their products directly to state liquor authorities, which distribute the products and either operate retail outlets or license the retail sales function to private companies, while maintaining strict control over pricing and profit. Our largest distribution channel is in the state of Oregon through the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
The U.S. spirits industry has consolidated dramatically over the last ten years due to merger and acquisition activity. Eight major spirits companies currently dominate the industry, each of which owns and operates its own importing businesses. All companies, including these large companies, are required by law to sell their products through wholesale distributors in the U.S. The major companies continue to exert increasing influence over the regional distributors and as a result, it has become increasingly difficult for smaller companies to get their products recognized by distributors.
We hold the federal importer and wholesaler license required by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department and the requisite state licenses within the states in which we conduct business.
Our inventory is maintained in offsite bonded warehouses at our producers, our bonded warehouse in Milwaukie, Oregon, and at bonded warehouses managed by Park Street, our fulfillment and logistics partner. We also typically have inventory in transit that we ship nationally through our network of licensed and bonded carriers.
Wholesalers and Distributors
In the United States, we are required by law to use state-licensed distributors or, in the control states, state-owned agencies performing this function, to sell our brands to retail outlets. As a result, we depend on distributors for sales, product placement and retail store penetration. All of the distributors with whom we currently work also distribute our competitors’ products and brands. As a result, we must foster and maintain our relationships with our distributors. Through our internal sales team, we have established relationships for our brands with wholesale distributors in the states where we sell our products, and our products are sold in the U.S. by these wholesale distributors, as well as by various state beverage alcohol control agencies.
Significant Customers
Sales to one customer, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, accounted for approximately 20% and 18% of our consolidated sales for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Sales Team
Spirits
We have a total spirits sales force of eight people and have an average of over ten years of industry experience with premium spirits brands.
Our spirits sales personnel are engaged in the day-to-day interaction with our distributors, which includes setting quotas, coordinating promotional plans for our brands, maintaining adequate levels of stock, brand education and training and sales calls with distributor personnel. Our sales team also maintains relationships with key chain and retail customers through independent sales calls. They also schedule promotional events, create local brand promotion plans, host in-store tastings, where permitted, and provide wait staff and bartender training and education for our brands.
In addition, we have also engaged for our spirits business Park Street, a provider of back-office administrative, fulfillment, and logistical services for alcohol and beverage distributors, which services include state compliance, logistics planning, order processing, order fulfillment, distributor chargeback and bill-support management and certain accounting and reporting services. We believe given our smaller scale that we can leverage the outsourced services of Park Street to reduce complexity and increase profitability.
Craft C+B
The canning sales force is made up of four members, three of which focus on their respective regions. Their goal is to connect with and onboard new clients, survey and promote new and emerging beverage markets for craft package services, as well as maintain relations with current clients. The sales team provides a premium customer service experience from introductory conversations about mobile canning to the very first packaging day and beyond. Their previous experience of operating the equipment gives them deep knowledge to share with prospective customers, including trust and accountability. Our sales team is keen on strong partnerships that allow for sustainable success. And we partner with local guilds and associations for creative collaborations, booth events and sponsorships.
Advertising, Marketing and Promotion
To build and sell our brands, we must effectively communicate with three distinct audiences: distributors, retail trade and end consumers. Social media, sponsorships, micro events sampling and other promotional activities help to establish and reinforce the image of our brands, and to provide the push into the trade and pull through out of the trade that our customers demand.
In the spirits category, consumers “drink the image,” therefore brand identity and getting consumers through the purchase funnel (awareness, consideration, trail, purchase and advocacy) is just as important as pricing, promotion and place in the marketing mix.
For major marketing decisions regarding high stakes activity like packaging changes and new product development, we conduct primary qualitative and quantitative research with end consumers. Our fundamental strategy is to “learn as we grow” - market test and then consistently challenge ourselves to be vigilant about what worked, what didn’t and whether to stop, continue or improve.
We have significantly narrowed our focus on building three main brands, Burnside Whiskeys, Portland Potato Vodka and Azuñia Tequilas, across six key markets.
In Oregon, which has the strongest distribution for Burnside Whiskeys and Portland Potato Vodka, our focus is on closing the distribution gaps and on driving consumer pull through major local sponsorships in Portland, Oregon of the Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Pickles and Hood To Coast Relay. These are all both brand building and volume driving opportunities.
In our five other key states where Azuñia is the lead brand, driving distribution is the main priority, with some local tequila events and tastings scheduled to drive awareness and trial. In these states, we focus mostly on price promotions, point-of-sale materials, and in-store and off-premise promotions to make the most of our limited resources.
Intellectual Property
Trademarks are an important aspect of our business. We sell our products under a number of trademarks which we own. Our brands are protected by trademark registrations or are the subject of pending applications for trademark registration in the U.S. where we distribute our brands. The trademarks may be registered in the names of our subsidiaries. In the U.S., trademark registrations need to be renewed every ten years. We expect to register our trademarks in additional markets as we expand our distribution territories.
Seasonality
Our business has historically followed the spirits industry seasonality trends with peak sales generally occurring in the fourth calendar quarter in spirits, primarily due to seasonal holiday buying. Our Craft C+B business typically has peak sales mid to late summer.
Competition
We compete on the basis of quality, authenticity, and artisanal spirits. Our premium brands compete with other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for market share. We compete with numerous multinational producers and distributors of beverage alcohol products, many of which have greater resources than us. We focus on the premium and super-premium segments of the market, which typically have higher prices per case and higher gross profit margins, and with our experienced marketing and sales force, we believe that we provide greater focus on smaller brands and individual consumer preferences and take advantage of regional market opportunities. However, our relative capital position and resources may limit our marketing capabilities, our ability to expand into new markets and our negotiating ability with our distributors.
Over the past ten years, the U.S. wine and spirits industry has undergone dramatic consolidation and realignment of brands and brand ownership. The number of major importers in the U.S. has declined significantly. Today, we believe eight major companies dominate the market: Diageo PLC, Pernod Ricard S.A., Bacardi Limited, Brown-Forman Corporation, Beam Suntory Inc., Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., and Rémy Cointreau S.A. These competitors have substantially greater resources than we do.
The mobile canning and bottling industry is highly fragmented and very competitive. The threat of new entrants is high. Moreover, we compete at the hyper-local scale, where we have a customer base concentrated in the craft beer segment. One of our greatest threats associated with losing customers is the customer’s own growth and success. As new brewers grow, they are able to afford the investment in their own canning line.
Government Regulation
We are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, U.S. Customs laws, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control laws of the states where our products are distributed, among many other regulations.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau regulates the production, blending, bottling, sales and advertising and transportation of alcohol products. Also, each state regulates the advertising, promotion, transportation, sale and distribution of alcohol products within its jurisdiction. We are also required to conduct business in the U.S. only with holders of licenses to import, warehouse, transport, distribute and sell spirits.
We are subject to U.S. regulations on spirits, marketing, and advertising, such as style, media and messages. Labeling of spirits is also regulated in many markets, varying from health warning labels to importer identification, alcohol strength and other consumer information. All beverage alcohol products sold in the U.S. must include warning statements related to risks of drinking beverage alcohol products.
In the U.S. control states, the state liquor commissions act in place of distributors and decide which products are to be purchased and offered for sale in their respective states. Products are selected for purchase and sale through listing procedures which are generally made available to new products only at periodically scheduled listing interviews. Consumers may purchase products not selected for listings only through special orders, if at all.
The distribution of alcohol-based beverages is also subject to extensive federal and state taxation in the U.S. and internationally. Most foreign countries impose excise duties on wines and distilled spirits, although the form of such taxation varies from a simple application on units of alcohol by volume to intricate systems based on the imported or wholesale value of the product. Several countries impose additional import duty on distilled spirits, often discriminating between categories in the rate of such tariffs. If we begin distributing our products internationally, import and excise duties could have a significant effect on our sales, both through reducing the consumption of alcohol and through encouraging consumer switching into lower-taxed categories of alcohol.
Employees
As of March 30, 2022, we have 71 employees, 12 of whom are in sales and marketing, 43 in production/canning/bottling, and 16 of whom are in administration. All employees are full-time with the exception of 2 part time production employees. We will continue to monitor our staffing in light of the impacts of COVID and streamlining on our operations for working capital needs.
Geographic Information
Spirits currently sells its products in 34 states. Craft C+B operates in three states.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
The statements in this section describe the most significant risks to our business and should be considered carefully in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our other disclosures in this Annual Report. We may have other risks that we have not yet identified or that we currently believe are immaterial but may become material.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS
Failure to retain and recruit executive management and to build morale and improve performance could negatively impact our business.
Eastside Distilling’s success depends upon the efforts and abilities of our executive management team, key senior management, and a high-quality employee base, as well as our ability to attract, motivate, reward, and retain them. If one of our executive officers or critical senior management terminates his or her employment, we may not be able to replace their expertise, fully integrate new personnel or replicate the prior working relationships. The loss of critical employees might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives. Qualified individuals with the breadth of skills and experience in our industry that we require are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract them. Difficulties in hiring or retaining key executive or employee talent, or the unexpected loss of experienced employees could have an adverse impact on our business performance. In addition, we could experience business disruption and/or increased costs related to organizational changes, reductions in workforce, or other cost-cutting measures. We recently experienced a significant change to our executive leadership team as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer resigned in February 2022.
Negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could reduce operational efficiency and reduce sales.
Our business continues to be susceptible to disruption from any number of current and ongoing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of consumer business and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the operations and financial condition of many businesses. Those include employees being required to work remotely, not travel and otherwise alter their normal working conditions. Businesses have been closed and supply chains and manufacturing have been disrupted. Consumer buying habits have shifted and may continue to shift, which may result in fewer sales of our products. These and other impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and any other similar crisis could have a material impact on our operations and financial results.
In addition, our results and financial condition may be adversely affected by federal or state legislation (or other similar laws, regulations, orders or other governmental or regulatory actions) that would impose new or more severe restrictions on our ability to operate our business or impact the economy or our customers and suppliers, a severe downturn in the economy or financial and lending markets.
The degree to which COVID-19 may impact our results of operations and financial condition is unknown at this time and will depend on future developments, including the ultimate severity and the duration of the pandemic, and further actions that may be taken by governmental authorities or businesses or individuals on their own initiatives in response to the pandemic.
We expect to continue to produce net operating losses in 2022.
We believe that we will continue to incur net losses in 2022. We expect to continue to invest in product development, sales and marketing, and incur administrative expenses as we seek to grow our brands. We also anticipate that our operating and investing cash needs may exceed our income from sales in 2022. Some of our products may not achieve widespread market acceptance and may not generate sales and profits. Results of operations will depend upon numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to new entrants, competitive activity, government regulations and increase in tax. We also incur substantial operating expenses at the corporate level, including costs directly related to being a reporting company with the SEC.
We may fail to secure additional capital and achieve adequate liquidity to grow and compete.
We will require additional capital to achieve the objectives our three-year strategic plan, which we outlined in 2021. This plan incorporates a strategy to rapidly expand our business activities, grow and compete in new markets. This plan requires substantial growth capital, of which we have only raised a portion. Failure to obtain additional capital could limit our operations and our growth and result in not meeting the objectives of the three-year plan. Historically, we have not generated sufficient cash from operations to finance additional capital needs, and thus we have used external sources of capital to fund operations. The source of these funds has included both private and public equity and/or debt financing. We cannot assure that additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If additional capital is either unavailable or cost prohibitive, our operations and growth may be limited, and we may need to change our business strategy to slow the rate of, or eliminate, our expansion or to reduce or curtail our operations. Also, any additional financing we undertake could impose covenants upon us that restrict our operating flexibility. If we issue equity securities to raise capital, our existing shareholders may experience dilution and the new securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock.
We may be unable to effectively service and refinance debt.
We have incurred significant debt under promissory notes and inventory financing lines. Much of our debt is secured by our bulk spirits inventory and other assets, including assets in Craft C+B. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations depends upon our operating and financial performance, which is subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business, and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to service our debt, we may need to sell inventory and other material assets, restructure or refinance our debt, or seek additional equity capital. Prevailing economic conditions and global credit markets could adversely impact our ability to do so.
Our debt agreements contain limits on our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt, grant liens, undergo certain fundamental changes, make investments, and dispose of inventory. We are also required to maintain compliance with a total leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio, and for our secured inventory to have a market value relative to our outstanding debt balance.
The amount and terms of our debt, could have important consequences, including the following:
● We may need to prematurely pay down our outstanding debt balance if the market value of our bulk spirits falls and we need to remain within our borrowing base covenants;
● We may be more limited in our ability to execute on our strategy and have flexibility to operate or restructure our business;
● Our cash flow from operations may be allocated to the payment of outstanding debt and not to developing and growing our brands;
● We might not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or other sources to enable us to meet our payment obligations under the facility and to fund other liquidity needs;
● We may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, less able to withstand competitive pressures, and less flexible in responding to changing business and economic conditions; or
● We may be unable an inability to incur additional debt, including for working capital, acquisitions, or other needs.
If we breach a loan covenant or miss a payment, the lenders could accelerate the repayment of debt and foreclose on our inventory and other assets. We might not have sufficient assets to repay our debt upon acceleration. If we are unable to repay or refinance the debt upon acceleration or at maturity, the lenders could initiate a bankruptcy proceeding against us or collection proceedings with respect to our assets securing the facility, which could materially decrease the value of our common stock.
Failure of our brands to achieve anticipated consumer acceptance would impact sales and profitability.
Most of our brands are relatively new and have not achieved national brand recognition. We have not yet had success growing a brand to a sufficient level to realize corporate wide profitability. Also, brands we may develop and/or acquire in the future may not establish widespread brand recognition. Accordingly, if consumers do not accept our brands at scale, our sales will be limited, and we will not be able to penetrate our markets. Our profitability depends in part on achieving scale. We will need to achieve wider market acceptance of our brands and materially increase sales to achieve profitability.
We must obtain improved terms from our supply partner Agaveros Unidos de Amatitan, SA. de CV, which if not done, will likely result in deteriorating performance of our Azuñia brand.
We have long-term exclusive agreement with Agaveros Unidos de Amatitan, SA. de CV (“Agaveros Unidos”) for the Azuñia Tequila brand. The termination of our relationship or an adverse change in the terms of our arrangement with Agaveros Unidos could have a negative impact on our business. If Agaveros Unidos increases its prices, we may not be able to secure alternative suppliers, and may not be able to raise the prices of our products to cover all or even a portion of the increased costs. Also, its failure to perform satisfactorily or handle increased orders, or delays in shipping could cause us to fail to meet orders for our products, lose sales, incur additional costs and/or expose us to product quality issues. In turn, this could cause us to lose credibility in the marketplace and damage our relationships with distributors, ultimately leading to a decline in our business and results of operations. If we are not able to renegotiate these contracts on acceptable terms or find suitable alternatives, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Failure of our distributors to distribute our products adequately within their territories or “under-invest” in our brands could result in deteriorating operating performance.
We are required by law to use state-licensed distributors or, in 17 states known as “control states,” state-owned agencies performing this function, to sell our products to retail outlets, including liquor stores, bars, restaurants and national chains in the United States. We have established relationships for our brands with a limited number of wholesale distributors; however, failure to maintain those relationships could significantly and adversely affect our business, sales and growth. We currently distribute our spirits in 34 states.
Over the past decade there has been increasing consolidation in production, distribution, and retail (the three tiers of the current system) that challenges the growth of small businesses in the marketplace. Our distributors also distribute competitive brands for much larger companies with significant pricing power. The ultimate success of our products depends in large part on our distributors’ ability and desire to distribute our products, as we rely significantly on them for product placement and retail store penetration. In many key states, we have signed contracts that greatly limit our ability to replace and pursue recourse with distributor partners that fail to meet their obligations. We cannot assure you that our U.S. distributors will commit sufficient time and resources to promote and market our brands and product lines. If they do not, our sales will be harmed, resulting in a decline in our results of operations.
Failure of our products to secure and maintain listings in the control states would result in a decline in revenue.
In the control states, the state liquor commissions act in place of distributors and decide which products are to be purchased and offered for sale in their respective states. Products selected for listing in control states must generally reach certain sales volumes and/or profit levels to maintain their listings. Products in control states are selected for purchase and sale through listing procedures, which are generally made available to new products only at periodically scheduled listing interviews. Products not selected for listings can only be purchased by consumers in the applicable control state through special orders, if at all. If, in the future, we are unable to maintain our current listings in the control states, or secure and maintain listings in those states for any additional products we may develop or acquire, sales of our products could decrease significantly, which would have a material adverse financial effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to maintain adequate inventory levels would negatively impact operational profitability.
We maintain inventories of our product aging in barrels, as well as, to meet customer delivery requirements. We have used our barreled spirits inventory at market value as collateral in our financing. If we do not make timely payments on our financing obligations, or we breach our covenants in any financing document, including maintaining loan-to-value ratios, the lenders may foreclose and take possession of our inventory. In addition, this inventory is always at risk of loss due to theft, fire, evaporation, spoilage, or other damage, and any such loss, whether insured against or not, could cause us to fail to meet our orders and harm our sales and operating results. Also, our inventory may become obsolete as we introduce new products, cease to produce old products or modify the design of our products’ packaging, which would increase our operating losses and negatively impact our results of operations.
Failure to integrate acquired operating assets, brands, or products that are complementary to our existing portfolio would result in deteriorating efficiency.
A component of our growth strategy will be the acquisition of additional brands that are complementary to our existing portfolio through the acquisition of such brands or their corporate owners, directly as brand acquisitions or through mergers, joint ventures, long-term exclusive distribution arrangements and/or other strategic relationships. If we are unable to identify or have the financial ability to acquire suitable brand candidates and successfully execute our acquisition strategy, our growth will be limited. In addition, our entry into and expansion of our contract bottling, canning, and packaging services may not be successful, and we may not realize the benefits of these co-packing operations and may face certain risks, including safety concerns, product contamination, and equipment malfunctions or breakdowns, among other things associated with our manufacturing operations.
If we are successful in acquiring additional brands or related service businesses, we may still fail to achieve our target margins or maintain profitability levels that would justify our investment in those additional brands or services or fail to realize operating and economic efficiencies or other planned benefits with respect to those additional brands or services.
The addition of new products or businesses entails numerous risks with respect to integration and other operating issues, any of which could have a detrimental effect on our results of operations and/or the value of our equity. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
● difficulties in assimilating acquired operations or products, including failure to realize synergies;
● failure to realize or anticipate benefits or to execute on our planned strategy for the acquired brand or business;
● unanticipated costs that could materially adversely affect our results of operations;
● negative effects on reported results of operations from acquisition-related charges and amortization of acquired intangibles;
● diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
● adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, distributors and retail customers;
● risks of entering new markets or markets in which we have limited prior experience; and
● the potential inability to retain and motivate key employees of acquired businesses.
Our ability to grow through the acquisition of additional brands is also dependent upon identifying acceptable acquisition targets and opportunities, our ability to consummate prospective transactions on favorable terms, or at all, and the availability of capital to complete the necessary acquisition arrangements. We intend to finance our brand acquisitions through a combination of our available cash resources, third-party financing and, in appropriate circumstances, the further issuance of equity and/or debt securities. Acquiring additional brands could have a significant effect on our financial position and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly operating results. Also, acquisitions could result in the recording of significant goodwill and intangible assets on our financial statements, the amortization or impairment of which would reduce reported earnings in subsequent years.
Failure to protect our customer relationships, trademarks and trade secrets from competitors would result in increased competition.
Our business and prospects depend in part on our ability to develop and retain customers as well as cultivate favorable consumer recognition of our brands and trademarks. Although we apply for registration of our brands and trademarks, they could be imitated in ways that we cannot prevent. Also, we rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how, concepts and formulas. Our methods of protecting this information may not be adequate. Moreover, we may face claims of misappropriation or infringement of third parties’ rights that could interfere with our use of this information. Defending these claims may be costly and, if unsuccessful, may prevent us from continuing to use this proprietary information in the future and result in a judgment or monetary damages being levied against us. We do not maintain non-competition agreements with all of our key personnel or with some of our key suppliers. If competitors independently develop or otherwise obtain access to our trade secrets, proprietary know-how or recipes, the appeal, and thus the value, of our brand portfolio could be reduced, negatively impacting our sales and growth potential.
We are susceptible to cyber-security breaches and cyber-related fraud.
We rely on information technology (“IT”) systems, networks, and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools, hardware (including laptops and mobile devices), and software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and/or used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist us in the management of our business.
Increased IT security threats and more sophisticated cyber-crime pose a potential risk to the security of our IT systems, networks, and services, as well as to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. If the IT systems, networks, or service providers we rely upon fail to function properly, or if we suffer a loss or disclosure of business or other sensitive information, due to any number of causes, ranging from catastrophic events to power outages to security breaches, and our business continuity plans do not effectively address these failures on a timely basis, we may suffer interruptions in our ability to manage operations and reputational, competitive and/or business harm, which may adversely affect our business operations and/or financial condition. In addition, such events could result in unauthorized disclosure of material confidential information, and we may suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us or to our partners, our employees, customers, suppliers, or consumers. In any of these events, we could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or to repair or replace networks and IT systems.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
Demand for our products may be adversely affected by consumer taste changes affecting category trends.
Consumer preferences may shift due to a variety of factors, including changes in demographic and social trends, public health initiatives, product innovations, changes in vacation or leisure, dining and beverage consumption patterns and a downturn in economic conditions, any or all of which may reduce consumers’ willingness to purchase distilled spirits or cause a shift in consumer preferences toward beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverages or other products. Our success depends in part on fulfilling available opportunities to meet consumer needs and anticipating changes in consumer preferences with successful new products and product innovations.
In addition, the legalization of marijuana in any of the jurisdictions in which we sell our products may result in a reduction in sales. Studies have shown that sales of alcohol may decrease in jurisdictions where marijuana has been legalized. As a result, marijuana sales may adversely affect our sales and profitability.
We face substantial competition in our industry and have limited financial resources compared to other competitors.
We compete on the basis of product taste and quality, brand image, price, service and ability to innovate in response to consumer preferences. The global spirits industry is highly competitive and is dominated by several large, well-funded international companies. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories and have substantially greater financial, sales, marketing and other resources than we do, as well as larger installed customer bases, greater name recognition and broader product offerings. Some of these competitors can devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their products. As a result, it is possible that our competitors may either respond to industry conditions or consumer trends more rapidly or effectively or resort to price competition to sustain market share, which could adversely affect our sales and profitability.
We face unique risks relating to class actions or other litigation relating to alcohol abuse or the misuse of alcohol.
Our industry faces the possibility of class action or similar litigation alleging that the continued excessive use or abuse of beverage alcohol has caused death or serious health problems or that we failed to adequately warn consumers of the risks of alcohol consumption. It is also possible that governments could assert that the use of alcohol has significantly increased government-funded healthcare costs. Litigation or assertions of this type have adversely affected companies in the tobacco industry, and it is possible that we, as well as our suppliers, could be named in litigation of this type.
Lawsuits have been brought in a number of states alleging that beverage alcohol manufacturers and marketers have improperly targeted underage consumers in their advertising. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that the defendants’ advertisements, marketing and promotions violate the consumer protection or deceptive trade practices statutes in each of these states and seek repayment of the family funds expended by the underage consumers. While we have not been named in these lawsuits, we could be named in similar lawsuits in the future. Any class action or other litigation asserted against us could be expensive and time-consuming to defend against, depleting our cash and diverting our personnel resources and, if the plaintiffs in such actions were to prevail, our business could be harmed significantly.
We face substantial regulatory risks including compliance with local and national laws, legal, regulatory and tax changes.
Our business is subject to extensive government regulation. This includes regulations regarding production, distribution, marketing, advertising and labeling of beverage alcohol products. We are required to comply with these regulations and to maintain various permits and licenses. We are also required to conduct business only with holders of licenses to import, warehouse, transport, distribute and sell beverage alcohol products. We cannot assure you that these and other governmental regulations applicable to our industry will not change or become more stringent. Moreover, because these laws and regulations are subject to interpretation, we may not be able to predict when and to what extent liability may arise. Additionally, due to increasing public concern over alcohol-related societal problems, including driving while intoxicated, underage drinking, alcoholism and health consequences from the abuse of alcohol, various levels of government may seek to impose additional restrictions or limits on advertising or other marketing activities promoting beverage alcohol products. Failure to comply with any of the current or future regulations and requirements relating to our industry and products could result in monetary penalties, suspension or even revocation of our licenses and permits. Costs of compliance with changes in regulations could be significant and could harm our business, as we could find it necessary to raise our prices in order to maintain profit margins, which could lower the demand for our products and reduce our sales and profit potential.
Also, the distribution of beverage alcohol products is subject to extensive taxation (at both the federal and state government levels), and beverage alcohol products themselves are the subject of national import and excise duties in most countries around the world. An increase in taxation or in import or excise duties could also significantly harm our sales revenue and margins, both through the reduction of overall consumption and by encouraging consumers to switch to lower-taxed categories of beverage alcohol.
We are exposed to product liability or other related liabilities which could have significant negative financial repercussions on the Company’s solvency.
Although we maintain liability insurance and will attempt to limit contractually our liability for damages arising from consumer, stakeholder and other lawsuits, these measures may not be sufficient for us to successfully avoid or limit product liability or other related liabilities. Our product liability insurance coverage is limited to $1 million per occurrence and $3 million in the aggregate and $2 million products/completed operations aggregate, and our general liability umbrella policy is limited to $5 million per occurrence and $5 million in the aggregate and $5 million products/completed operations aggregate. We do not have insurance covering employee lawsuits. Further, any contractual indemnification and insurance coverage we have from parties supplying our products is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insured limits of any insurance provided by these suppliers. In any event, extensive product liability claims could be costly to defend and/or costly to resolve and could harm our reputation or business.
We could face issues including the risk of contamination of our products and/or counterfeit or confusingly similar products.
The success of our brands depends upon the positive image that consumers have of them. Contamination, whether arising accidentally or through deliberate third-party action, or other events that harm the integrity or consumer support for our brands, could affect the demand for our products. Contaminants in raw materials purchased from third parties and used in the production of our products or defects in the distillation and fermentation processes could lead to low beverage quality, as well as illness among, or injury to, consumers of our products and could result in reduced sales of the affected brand or all of our brands and potentially serious damage to our reputation for product quality, as well as product liability claims. Also, to the extent that third parties sell products that are either counterfeit versions of our brands or brands that look like our brands, consumers of our brands could confuse our products with products that they consider inferior. This could cause them to refrain from purchasing our brands in the future and in turn could impair our brand equity and adversely affect our sales and operations.
In addition, we also provide contract bottling, canning, and packaging services for existing and emerging beer, wine and spirits producers. Beer and wine products produced by third parties may be more susceptible to contamination than the distilled products that we produce, due to the lower alcohol content.
We have incurred substantial turnover in employees over the past few years, which has negatively affected operating performance.
Over the past two years, we have embarked on a restructuring of operations to improve our financial performance. As a result, management has experienced a significant amount of employee turnover. In addition, we have reduced the total number of employees of the firm. This reduced headcount had negatively impacted performance in a number of ways. If this level of turnover continues, we could face operational challenges that would negatively impact financial performance.
We operate with an Interim CEO and CFO, which could have a negative impact on financial performance.
In February 2022, the CEO resigned and was replaced by the CFO. Operating with a single person as both Interim CEO and CFO adds risk to the operating performance given the complexity of our business. If we are unsuccessful retaining and/or recruiting executives, we may face negative operating performance.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Sales of our stock or use of our common stock to satisfy obligations may impact the market price and cause substantial dilution to existing shareholders.
We will need to raise additional capital, which might be in the form of an equity offering. Future sales of substantial amounts of our common or preferred stock, including shares that we may issue upon exercise of warrants or conversion of preferred stock, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Further, if we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced and cause substantial dilution to current stockholders.
We pay certain of our directors, consultants and business partners in our common stock or other securities linked to our common stock, and sometimes settle debts with common stock. Continued use of our stock in this manner, especially if our stock price is trading at a low price, may cause dilution to our shareholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise working capital and finance our operations.
A further decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. A decline in the price of our common stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our operations. Such reductions may force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to develop new services and continue our current operations. If our common stock price further declines, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital in the future, we may not be able to have the resources to continue our normal operations.
If we are unable to continue as a going concern, our securities will have little or no value.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception, and we expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Our independent registered public accounting firm included in its audit report for the year ended December 31, 2021 an explanatory paragraph referring to our net loss from operations and accumulated deficit and expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern without additional capital becoming available. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations or obtain additional financing in the future, we might not be able to continue as a going concern. There are no assurances that such financing, if necessary, will be available to us at all or will be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we are unable to generate additional funds in the future through financings, sales of our products or from other sources or transactions, we will exhaust our resources and will be unable to continue operations. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our stockholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in us.
Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market could result in a delisting which would result in the loss of shareholder’s capital.
In August 2017, our shares of common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, such as the minimum closing bid price requirement, Nasdaq may take steps to delist our common stock. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take actions to restore our compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.
While our derivatives are outstanding, it may be more difficult to raise additional equity capital to fund operations.
We currently have non-trading, privately issued common stock warrants to purchase shares of common stock, certain debt and preferred shares that are convertible into common stock. During the terms that our derivatives are outstanding, the holders will be given the opportunity to profit if there is a rise in the market price of our common stock. We may find it more difficult to raise additional equity capital while we have these derivatives outstanding. We might issue additional derivatives along with a future financing.
We do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
For the foreseeable future, it is anticipated that earnings, if any, that may be generated from our operations will be used to finance our operations and that cash dividends will not be paid to holders of common stock.
By issuing preferred stock, we may adversely affect the market price and voting rights of common shareholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation permit us to issue, without approval from our stockholders, a total of 100 million shares of preferred stock. Our Board may determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to, or imposed upon, the shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series. It is possible that our Board, in determining the rights, preferences and privileges to be granted when the preferred stock is issued, may include provisions that have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium over the market price, or that adversely affect the market price of and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. PROPERTIES
We leased the following properties as of December 31, 2021:
Location
Principal Activities
Sq Ft
Lease Termination
NE Marx Dr., Suite A2, Portland, OR 97220
Craft C+B Operation
17,400
07/23/2023
South 92nd Place, Suite A, Seattle, WA 98108
Craft C+B Operation
9,300
7/31/2023
East 76th Ave., Suite G-I, Commerce City, CO 80022
Craft C+B Operation
4,500
08/01/2023
SE Main St., Milwaukie, OR 97222
Distilling, Blending, Bottling, Warehousing
29,960
10/01/2023
NE Argyle, Unit D, Portland, OR 97211
Craft C+B Operation / Corporate Headquarters
50,380
03/01/2027

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On December 15, 2020, Grover Wickersham filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District Court of Oregon against the Company. Mr. Wickersham, the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Company, has asserted causes of action for fraud in the inducement, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, interference with economic advantage, elder financial abuse, and dissemination of false and misleading proxy materials The Company disputes the allegations and intends to defend the case vigorously.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “EAST.”
Shareholders
Our shares of common stock are issued in registered form. The registrar and transfer agent for our shares of common stock is Transfer Online, Inc. 512 SE Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97214 (Telephone: (503) 227-2950).
As of March 30, 2022, there were 14,961,450 shares of our common stock outstanding, which were held by 76 record stockholders. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of shares of common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock since our inception, and we do not contemplate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Repurchase of Securities
None.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In this Form 10-K and in other documents incorporated herein, as well as in oral statements made by the Company, statements that are prefaced with the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “designed,” and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements regarding events, conditions, and financial trends that may affect the Company’s future plans of operations, business strategy, results of operations, and financial position. Examples include those statements set forth above prior to “Item 1. Business - Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and estimates as to prospective events and circumstances about which the Company can give no assurance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future financial condition or results. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the factors set forth above and the other information set forth in this Form 10-K.
Recent Developments
We faced a number of challenges in both business segments in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous effect on both the mobile canning operation as well as spirits division. Increased competition, supply change issues and restructuring activities added to performance challenges in 2021.
Spirits faced unique challenges during 2021. Across the spirits beverage category, off-premise saw increased volume through 2021. However, we did not benefit from this trend as these increases were attributed to incremental share gains from largest national brands. Large branded spirits companies benefited during the pandemic due to their large scale production capabilities and distribution scale. We were unable to maintain our share with our relative brand growth under-performing the national brands at off-premise locations. Other parts of our business were negatively affected by mandated lockdowns and other related restrictions including a decrease in sales volume in on-premise accounts where products are consumed immediately, such as bars and restaurants. This negative trend has continued through the current period. In addition, we faced challenges with distribution partners in the highly restrictive three-tier distribution system. Despite significant investments in 2021, our distribution partners under-invested in our brands, which negatively affected our performance. Finally, we saw cost increases across much of our direct and indirect costs. While a substantial amount of our raw materials is owned, such as our whisky, and not susceptible to price inflation, imported tequila and other materials such as glass inflated through the year. These increases along with the aforementioned volume challenges negatively impacted gross margins resulting in underperforming the 2021 operating plan.
Craft C+B also faced unique challenges throughout the year. Beginning mid-year 2020 and throughout 2021, the craft beverage industry faced a shortage of aluminum cans. Domestic aluminum can manufacturers continue to make adjustments to manage a supply demand imbalance into 2021. As a result, buyers of aluminum cans continue to face uncertainties. We believe we have sourced an adequate supply of cans with, a supply contract with Canadian Canning to supply our current business plan. In addition, suppliers have successfully passed through price increases, which we did not immediately pass through to our customers. Moreover, this period of rapidly escalating prices left us at a competitive disadvantage to others that had a superior source of cans. We faced a number of competitive challenges from customers, which insourced both can purchasing as well as filling services after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While we have been indirectly affected by the pandemic, our preventative measures have reduced the direct impact on our work force and customers. These measures included having our employees work remotely whenever possible, screening visitors and workers before entering facilities, requiring visitors and employees to wear masks, and encouraging social distancing.
Results of Operations
Overview
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands) Variance
Sales $ 12,890 $ 14,782 $ (1,892 )
Less customer programs and excise taxes (278 )
Net sales 12,394 14,008 (1,614 )
Cost of sales 9,484 10,385 (901 )
Gross profit 2,910 3,623 (713 )
Sales and marketing expenses 2,614 4,186 (1,572 )
General and administrative expenses 6,777 7,989 (1,212 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment (366 )
Total operating expenses 9,810 11,809 (1,999 )
Loss from operations (6,900 ) (8,186 ) 1,286
Interest expense (1,254 ) (1,089 ) (165 )
Other income (expense) 2,100 (372 ) 2,472
Loss from continuing operations (6,054 ) (9,647 ) 3,593
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 3,858 (213 ) 4,071
Net loss (2,196 ) (9,860 ) 7,664
Preferred dividends (27 ) - (27 )
Deemed dividend-warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment (2,288 ) - (2,288 )
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ (4,511 ) $ (9,860 ) $ 5,349
Gross margin 23 % 26 % -3 %
Segment information is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) Variance
Spirits
Sales $ 5,672 $ 6,046 $ (374 )
Net sales 5,176 5,274 (98 )
Cost of sales 3,743 4,339 (596 )
Gross profit 1,433
Total operating expenses 5,634 8,063 (2,429 )
Net income (loss) (8,719 ) 8,874
Gross Margin 28 % 18 % 10 %
Craft C+B
Sales $ 7,218 $ 8,736 $ (1,518 )
Net sales 7,218 8,734 (1,516 )
Cost of sales 5,741 6,046 (305 )
Gross profit 1,477 2,688 (1,211 )
Total operating expenses 4,176 3,746
Net loss (2,351 ) (1,141 ) (1,210 )
Gross Margin 20 % 31 % -11 %
Sales
Our sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased to $12.9 million from $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table compares our segment sales during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Dollars in thousands) Variance
Spirits $ 5,672 $ 6,046 $ (374 )
Craft C+B 7,218 8,736 (1,518 )
Total $ 12,890 $ 14,782 $ (1,892 )
During 2021, the craft beer canning industry supply chain restrictions have become less impactful and on-premise accounts have opened from the COVID pandemic, brewers have begun to purchase raw material again and shift sales to the on-premise bottle and keg packages. This year-on-year shift in supply and return to on-premise sales caused the mobile beer canning industry to service smaller runs at higher costs suppressing sales and margin. In addition, Craft C+B faced stiff competition as well as a trend to insource can purchasing and filling by larger customers expanding into off-premise distribution.
Sales of spirits were down from last year due to Azuñia supply chain constraints, discontinuing our legacy spirits brands and slower distribution expansion outside Oregon due to poor distributor performance. The downturn in sales was only partially mitigated by strategic price increases as well as improved product mix with a focus on the higher margin products.
Customer programs and excise taxes
Customer programs and excise taxes totaled $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists of costs related to both spirits and canning including service labor and overhead, packaging, and in-bound freight charges. Costs specific to spirits include the costs of ingredients utilized in the production of spirits and warehousing rent. Costs specific to canning include service labor. For the year ended December 31, 2021, cost of sales decreased to $9.5 million from $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to lower sales for both spirits and Craft C+B, offset by higher cost of goods and in-bound freight. Spirits also had significant savings from reduced production related expenses post divesture of Redneck and improved mix from lower Azuñia sales. The following table compares our segment cost of sales during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Dollars in thousands) Variance
Spirits $ 3,743 $ 4,339 $ (596 )
Craft C+B 5,741 6,046 (305 )
Total $ 9,484 $ 10,385 $ (901 )
Gross Profit
Gross profit is calculated by subtracting the cost of products sold from net sales. Gross margin is gross profits stated as a percentage of net sales. The following table compares our segment gross profit and profit margin during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Dollars in thousands) Variance
Spirits $ 1,433 $ 935 $ 498
Craft C+B 1,477 2,688 (1,211 )
Total $ 2,910 $ 3,623 $ (713 )
Gross Margin
Spirits 28 % 18 % 10 %
Craft C+B 20 % 31 % -11 %
Total 23 % 26 % -3 %
Gross Margin
Our gross margin of 23% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased from our gross margin of 26% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Spirit’s gross margin increased primarily due to a significant reduction in production related expenses as well as strategic price increases and a reduction in discounting. Craft C+B’s gross margin decreased primarily due to lower sales of services, a change in product and service mix, and higher raw material costs.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased to $2.6 million from $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to a $1.4 million decrease in compensation related to lower headcount primarily in sales as we focus our sales efforts in key markets. Through 2021, we concentrated our focus on sales efforts in our key markets - Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado and Texas.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased to $6.8 million from $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to a decrease in non-cash expenses related to depreciation from the leasehold improvements related to our spirits production facility, as well as decreased stock compensation.
Other Income (Expenses)
Total other income, net, was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to expense of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to forgiveness of our $1.4 million in loans under the U.S. government Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP Loans”). In addition, we gained $0.8 million from the remeasurement of deferred consideration for the final Azuñia earn-out.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss decreased to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease in operating loss of $3.6 million and an increase in income from discontinued operations of $4.1 million.
Preferred Stock Dividends
Preferred stock dividends were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and related to the Series B Preferred Stock dividend of 6% per annum.
Deemed Dividend - Warrant Price Protection-Revaluation Adjustment
Deemed dividend - warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The dividend related to the inducement to exercise outstanding warrants.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary capital requirements are for cash used in operating activities and the repayment of debt. Funds for our cash and liquidity needs have historically not been generated from operations but rather from short-term credit in the form of extended payment terms from suppliers as well as proceeds from the sale of convertible debt and equity financings. We have been dependent on raising capital from debt and equity financings to meet our operating needs.
To help ensure adequate liquidity and avoid widespread layoffs in light of uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, we applied for and received PPP Loans of $1.4 million. During 2021, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) notified us that it approved our request for full forgiveness of the PPP Loans in the principal amount of $1.4 million.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we incurred a net loss of $2.2 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and have an accumulated deficit of $58.6 million as of December 31, 2021. We have been dependent on raising capital from debt and equity financings to fund operating activities. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we raised $5.2 million in additional capital through equity and debt financing (net of repayments). A large portion of this capital raise was used to invest in our three-year growth plan. We made substantial investments in Craft C+B, which we believe will deliver improved results in 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we had $3.3 million of cash on hand with working capital of $4.6 million. Our working capital has increased $22.0 million from December 31, 2020 as we have increased our cash, prepaid balances and refinanced current debt since year-end; or in the case of our facility with Live Oak, received forbearance and are in the process of extending the facility. Our ability to meet our ongoing operating cash needs over the next 12 months depends on growing revenues and gross margins, and generating positive operating cash flow, primarily through increased sales, profitable operations, and controlling expenses. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, or additional financing is not available on acceptable terms, we may seek to sell assets, reduce operating expenses, reduce or eliminate marketing initiatives.
Our cash flow results for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities $ (5.9 ) $ (3.0 )
Investing activities $ 3.2 $ 0.1
Financing activities $ 5.2 $ 3.4
Operating Activities
Total cash used in operating activities was $5.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in cash usage was primarily attributable to payment of our current liabilities and an increase in prepaid expenses related to our strategy to shift Craft C+B to offer digital can printing services in the Pacific Northwest.
Investing Activities
Total cash provided by investing activities was $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and consisted of $3.4 million received for the Termination Agreement with RSG. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we received proceeds from sales of fixed assets of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and incurred capital expenditures of $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Financing Activities
Total cash provided by financing activities was $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Net cash flows provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 consisted of the proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $2.4 million, proceeds from a secured credit facility of $3.3 million, and the issuance of common stock from the warrant exercise for cash, net of expenses, proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock of $2.5 million; offset by $3.7 million of principal payments of our secured credit facilities and $2.9 million of payments on principal of notes payable. Net cash flows provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily consisted of $3.3 million of net proceeds from our existing secured credit facility.
Lines of Credit
From 2019 until December 2021, we utilized an existing accounts receivable factoring line of credit with ENGS Commercial Capital, LLC (“ENGS”) that provided for a minimum of $0.5 million purchased accounts receivable and a maximum of $1.0 million of purchased accounts receivable. The advance rate was 85%, and interest was charged against the greater of $0.5 million or the total funds advanced at a rate of 5% plus the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal. The Company factored $2.4 million of invoices during the year ended December 31, 2021. In December 2021, our agreement with ENGS expired and we are no longer factoring Craft C+B receivables.
Since 2019, we utilized an existing accounts receivable factoring line of credit with Park Street Financial Services, LLC. The advance rate is 75%, and interest is charged at a rate of 2.4% for the first 30 days plus 1.44% for each additional ten-day period. The Company factored $0.3 million of invoices during the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no factored invoices outstanding.
Inventory Line
In January 2020, we and our subsidiaries entered into a loan agreement with Live Oak Banking Company (“Live Oak”) for a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) $8.0 million and (ii) a borrowing base of up to 85% of the appraised value of the borrowers’ eligible inventory of whisky in barrels or totes less an amount equal to all service fees or rental payments owed by borrowers during the 90 day period immediately succeeding the date of determination to any warehouses or bailees holding eligible inventory (the “Live Oak Loan”). The Live Oak Loan is secured by all assets of the Company excluding accounts receivable and certain other specified excluded property. The Live Oak Loan bears interest at a variable rate of interest equal to (i) two and 49/100ths percent (2.49%) per annum plus (ii) the Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, adjusted on a calendar quarterly basis. Interest is payable monthly. Additionally, the Company issued to Live Oak 100,000 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $3.94 per share. The proceeds of the Live Oak Loan were used to pay off all principal and accrued interest under the TQLA Note of $0.9 million and all principal and interest under loan issued pursuant to that Credit and Security Agreement, by and between the Company and The KFK Children’s Trust, Jeffrey Anderson - Trustee of $3.0 million. On February 5, 2021, we repaid $3.4 million of the loan, reducing the principal balance to $2.8 million as of December 31, 2021. The loan matured on November 11, 2021. On February 28, 2022, Live Oak formally agreed to forbear enforcement of the Loan while the parties finalize a further extension of the maturity date.
Critical Accounting Policies
The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These items are monitored and analyzed by management for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.
In connection with the preparation of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, there was one accounting estimate we made that was subject to a high degree of uncertainty and was critical to our results, as follows:
Intangible Assets
On September 12, 2019, we purchased the Azuñia brand, the direct sales team, existing product inventory, supply chain relationships and contractual agreements from Intersect Beverage, LLC, an importer and distributor of tequila and related products. The Azuñia brand has been determined to have an indefinite life and will not be amortized. We do, however, on an annual basis, test the indefinite life for impairment. If the indefinite life is found to be impaired, then we will estimate its useful life and amortize the asset over the remainder of its useful life.
We estimate the brand’s fair value using discounted estimated future cash flows or market information and will impair it when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we will write it down to its estimated fair value. We consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about future cash flows, net sales and discount rates.
We have the option, before quantifying the fair value, to evaluate qualitative factors to assess whether it is more likely than not that our brand is impaired. If we determine that is not the case, then we are not required to quantify the fair value. That assessment also takes considerable management judgment.
Based on our assumptions, we believe that, as of December 31, 2021, the Azuñia brand was not impaired.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 2738)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Eastside Distilling, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Eastside Distilling, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company suffered a net loss from operations and has an accumulated deficit, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding those matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of Intangible Assets
The Company acquired two entities during 2019 accounted for as business combinations, which required assets and liabilities assumed to be measured at their acquisition date fair values. At each reporting period, certain intangible assets are required to be assessed annually for impairment based on the facts and circumstances at that time. Auditing management’s evaluation of intangible assets can be a significant judgment given the fact that the Company uses management estimates on future revenues and expenses which are not easily able to be substantiated.
Given these factors and due to significant judgements made by management, the related audit effort in evaluating management's judgments in evaluation of intangible assets required a high degree of auditor judgment.
The procedures performed included evaluation of the methods and assumptions used by the Company, tests of the data used and an evaluation of the findings. We evaluated and tested the Company’s significant judgments that determine the impairment evaluation of intangible assets.
/s/ M&K CPAS, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
Houston, TX
March 30, 2022
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash $ 3,276 $ 836
Trade receivables, net 1,446
Inventories 6,510 6,728
Prepaid expenses and current assets 2,873
Current assets held for sale - 3,833
Total current assets 14,105 12,841
Property and equipment, net 2,163 3,109
Right-of-use assets 3,211 1,270
Intangible assets, net 13,624 14,038
Other assets, net
Non-current assets held for sale -
Total Assets $ 33,560 $ 31,732
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,265 $ 1,864
Accrued liabilities 1,452
Deferred revenue -
Current portion of secured credit facilities, net of debt issuance costs 5,725 6,405
Deferred consideration for Azuñia acquisition - 15,452
Other current liabilities, related party -
Current portion of notes payable 3,830
Current portion of lease liabilities
Current liabilities held for sale -
Total current liabilities 9,498 30,259
Lease liabilities, net of current portion 2,498
Notes payable, related parties -
Notes payable, net of current portion 8,073 1,693
Non-current liabilities held for sale -
Total liabilities 20,161 32,840
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) -
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 35,000,000 shares authorized; 14,791,449 and 10,382,015 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 2,500,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively - -
Additional paid-in capital 72,003 52,985
Accumulated deficit (58,605 ) (54,094 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 13,399 (1,108 )
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) $ 33,560 $ 31,732
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share)
Sales $ 12,890 $ 14,782
Less customer programs and excise taxes
Net sales 12,394 14,008
Cost of sales 9,484 10,385
Gross profit 2,910 3,623
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing expenses 2,614 4,186
General and administrative expenses 6,777 7,989
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment (366 )
Total operating expenses 9,810 11,809
Loss from operations (6,900 ) (8,186 )
Other income (expense), net
Interest expense (1,254 ) (1,089 )
Other income (expense) 2,100 (372 )
Total other income (expense), net (1,461 )
Loss before income taxes (6,054 ) (9,647 )
Provision for income taxes - -
Net loss from continuing operations (6,054 ) (9,647 )
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 3,858 (213 )
Net loss (2,196 ) (9,860 )
Preferred stock dividends (27 ) -
Deemed dividend-warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment (2,288 ) -
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (4,511 ) $ (9,860 )
Basic net loss per common share $ (0.35 ) $ (0.98 )
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 12,708 10,027
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit)
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit (Deficit)
Series B
Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit (Deficit)
Balance, December 31, 2019 - $ - 9,675 $ 1 $ 51,566 $ (44,234 ) $ 7,333
Stock-based compensation - - - - -
Amortization of non-deal warrant grants - - - - -
Issuance of common stock from warrant exercise for cash, net of expenses
Issuance of common stock from warrant exercise for cash, net of expenses, shares
Issuance of warrants for secured credit facility - - - - -
Issuance of common stock for Azunia initial earn-out
Issuance of common stock for Azunia initial earn-out, shares
Issuance of common stock for services by third parties - - - -
Issuance of common stock for services by employees - - - -
Issuance of stock, sold for cash, net
Issuance of stock, sold for cash, net, shares
Stock option exercise
Stock option exercise, shares
Preferred stock dividends
Preferred stock dividends, shares
Deemed dividend-warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment
Net loss attributable to common shareholders - - - - - (9,860 ) (9,860 )
Balance, December 31, 2020 - $ - 10,382 $ 1 $ 52,985 $ (54,094 ) $ (1,108 )
Stock-based compensation - - - - -
Issuance of common stock from warrant exercise for cash, net of expenses - - - 2,375 - 2,375
Issuance of warrants for secured credit facility - - - - -
Issuance of common stock for Azuñia initial earn-out - - 1,883 - 6,860 - 6,860
Issuance of common stock for services by third parties - - - -
Issuance of common stock for services by employees - - - -
Issuance of stock, sold for cash, net 2,500 - 1,297 - 6,088 - 6,088
Stock option exercise - - - -
Preferred stock dividends - - - (27 ) -
Deemed dividend-warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment - - - - 2,288 (2,288 ) -
Net loss - - - - - (2,196 ) (2,196 )
Balance, December 31, 2021 2,500 $ - 14,791 $ 1 $ 72,003 $ (58,605 ) $ 13,399
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss $ (2,196 ) $ (9,860 )
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations (3,858 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Impairment of intangible assets -
Depreciation and amortization 1,237 2,286
Bad debt expense (2 )
Forgiveness of debt - Paycheck Protection Program (1,448 ) -
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets (366 )
Write off of obsolete fixed assets -
Inventory reserve (45 ) -
Remeasurement of deferred consideration (750 ) -
Amortization of debt issuance costs
Interest accrued to secured credit facilities -
Issuance of common stock in exchange for services for related parties
Issuance of common stock in exchange for services for third parties
Stock-based compensation
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables, net (750 )
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,776 ) (53 )
Right-of-use assets
Accounts payable (599 ) (458 )
Accrued liabilities (619 )
Other liabilities, related party (700 )
Deferred revenue (23 )
Net lease liabilities (520 )
Net cash used in operating activities (10,568 ) (3,936 )
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 4,620
Net cash used in operating activities (5,948 ) (3,006 )
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Purchases of property and equipment (265 ) (524 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of continuing operations (151 )
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations 3,356
Net cash provided by investing activities 3,205
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock from warrant exercise for cash, net of expenses 2,375 -
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 3,610 -
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock 2,485
-
Proceeds from secured credit facilities 3,300 6,337
Proceeds from notes payable - 1,901
Payments of principal on secured credit facilities (3,730 ) (3,000 )
Payments of principal on notes payable (2,857 ) (1,876 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 5,183 3,362
Net increase in cash 2,440
Cash at the beginning of the period
Cash at the end of the period $ 3,276 $ 836
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 468 $ 776
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities $ 717 $ 674
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing Activity
Issuance of common stock pursuant to Azuñia earn-out $ 6,860 $ -
Issuance of notes payable pursuant to Azuñia final earn-out $ 7,842 $ -
Warrants issued in relation to secured credit facilities $ 717 $ 98
Deemed dividend-warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment $ 2,288 $ -
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations $ 1,963 $ 1,189
Dividends issued $ 27 $ -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
1. Description of Business
Eastside Distilling (the “Company” or “Eastside Distilling”) was incorporated under the laws of Nevada in 2004 under the name of Eurocan Holdings, Ltd. In December 2014, the Company changed its corporate name to Eastside Distilling, Inc. to reflect the acquisition of Eastside Distilling, LLC. The Company manufactures, acquires, blends, bottles, imports, exports, markets and sells a wide variety of alcoholic beverages under recognized brands. The Company currently employs 67 people in the United States.
The Company’s spirits’ brands span several alcoholic beverage categories, including whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. The Company sells products on a wholesale basis to distributors in open states and brokers in control states.
The Company operates a mobile craft canning and bottling business (“Craft C+B”) that primarily services the craft beer and craft cider industries. Craft C+B operates 14 mobile filling lines in Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Denver, Colorado. During 2021, the Company made substantial investments in Craft C+B to expand its product offerings to include digital can printing activities in the Pacific Northwest.
2. Liquidity
The Company’s primary capital requirements are for cash used in operating activities and the repayment of debt. Funds for the Company’s cash and liquidity needs have historically not been generated from operations but rather from loans as well as from convertible debt and equity financings. The Company has been dependent on raising capital from debt and equity financings to meet the Company’s operating needs.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred a net loss of $2.2 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and has an accumulated deficit of $58.6 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company has been dependent on raising capital from debt and equity financings to meet its needs for cash flow used in operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company raised $5.2 million in additional capital through equity and debt financing (net of repayments). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $3.3 million of cash on hand with working capital of $4.6 million. The Company’s working capital has increased $22.0 million from December 31, 2020 as cash and prepaid balances have increased and it has repaid or refinanced current debt since 2020. The Company’s ability to meet its ongoing operating cash needs over the next 12 months depends on growing revenues and gross margins, and generating positive operating cash flow primarily through increased sales, improved profit growth, and controlling expenses. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, or additional financing is not available on acceptable terms, the Company may seek to sell assets, reduce operating expenses, reduce or eliminate marketing initiatives, and take other measures that could impair its ability to be successful.
Although the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 were prepared under the assumption that it would continue operations as a going concern, the report of its independent registered public accounting firm that accompanies the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 contains a going concern explanatory paragraph in which such firm expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, based on the financial statements at that time. If the Company cannot continue as a going concern, its stockholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in it.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for Eastside Distilling, Inc. and subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eastside Distilling, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, including, MotherLode LLC, Redneck Riviera Whiskey Co., LLC, and Craft Canning + Bottling, LLC. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Net sales include product sales, less excise taxes and customer programs and incentives. The Company recognizes revenue by applying the following steps in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied.
The Company recognizes sales when merchandise is shipped from a warehouse directly to wholesale customers (except in the case of a consignment sale). For consignment sales, which include sales to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the Company recognizes sales upon the consignee’s shipment to the customer. Postage and handling charges billed to customers are also recognized as sales upon shipment of the related merchandise. Shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point, and title passes to the customer at the time and place of shipment or purchase by customers at a retail location. For consignment sales, title passes to the consignee concurrent with the consignee’s shipment to the customer. The customer has no cancellation privileges after shipment or upon purchase at retail locations, other than customary rights of return. The Company excludes sales tax collected and remitted to various states from sales and cost of sales.
Customer Programs
Customer programs, which include customer promotional discount programs, customer incentives, and broker commissions, are a common practice in the alcoholic beverage industry. The Company makes these payments to customers and incurs these costs to promote sales of products and to maintain competitive pricing. Amounts paid in connection with customer programs and incentives are recorded as reductions to net sales or as sales and marketing expenses in accordance with ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, based on the nature of the expenditure. Amounts paid in customer programs totaled $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Excise Taxes
The Company is responsible for compliance with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) regulations, which includes making timely and accurate excise tax payments. The Company is subject to periodic compliance audits by the TTB. Individual states also impose excise taxes on alcoholic beverages in varying amounts. The Company calculates its excise tax expense based upon units produced and on its understanding of the applicable excise tax laws. Excise taxes totaled $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists of costs related to both spirits and canning including labor and overhead, packaging, and in-bound freight charges. Costs specific to spirits include the costs of ingredients utilized in the production of spirits and warehousing rent. Costs specific to canning include service labor. Ingredients account for the largest portion of the cost of sales, followed by packaging and production costs.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Sales and Marketing Expenses
The following expenses are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations: media advertising costs, promotional costs of value-added packaging, salary and benefit expenses, travel and entertainment expenses for the sales, brand and sales support workforce and promotional activity expenses. Sales and marketing costs are expensed as incurred.
General and Administrative Expenses
The following expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations: salary and benefit expenses, travel and entertainment expenses for executive and administrative staff, rent and utilities, professional fees, insurance, and amortization and depreciation expense. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes as compensation expense all stock-based awards issued to employees. The compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the related stock-based awards and is recognized over the service period of stock-based awards, which is generally the same as the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which estimates the fair value of each award on the date of grant based on a variety of assumptions including expected stock price volatility, expected terms of the awards, risk-free interest rate, and dividend rates, if applicable. Stock-based awards issued to nonemployees are recorded at fair value on the measurement date and are subject to periodic market adjustments at the end of each reporting period and as the underlying stock-based awards vest.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are considered to be highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of the purchase. The Company had no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Concentrations
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade receivables. As of December 31, 2021, four wholesale customers represented 42% of trade receivables. As of December 31, 2020, one wholesale customer represented 14% of trade receivables. Sales to one wholesale customer accounted for 20% of consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2021. Sales to one wholesale customer accounted for 18% of consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Fair Value Measurements
GAAP defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. GAAP permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and contains financial statement presentation and disclosure requirements for assets and liabilities for which the fair value option is elected. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, management has not elected to report any of the Company’s assets or liabilities at fair value under the “fair value option” provided by GAAP.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The hierarchy of fair value valuation techniques under GAAP provides for three levels: Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3, if applicable, generally would require significant management judgment. The three levels for categorizing assets and liabilities under GAAP’s fair value measurement requirements are as follows:
Level 1: Fair value of the asset or liability is determined using cash or unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Fair value of the asset or liability is determined using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the applicable asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar (as opposed to identical) assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Fair value of the asset or liability is determined using unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement and reflect management’s own assumptions regarding the applicable asset or liability.
None of the Company’s assets or liabilities were measured at fair value as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. However, GAAP requires the disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments that are not measured at fair value. Financial instruments consist principally of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, notes payable, and the secured credit facilities. The estimated fair value of trade receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying value due to the short period of time to their maturities. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s notes approximate fair value.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets and liabilities acquired in a business acquisition are valued at fair value at the date of acquisition.
Inventories
Inventories primarily consist of bulk and bottled liquor and merchandise and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using an average costing methodology, which approximates cost under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. A portion of the Company’s finished goods inventory is held by certain independent distributors on consignment until it is sold to a third party. The Company regularly monitors inventory quantities on hand and records write-downs for excess and obsolete inventories based primarily on the Company’s estimated forecast of product demand and production requirements. Such write-downs establish a new cost basis of accounting for the related inventory.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from three to seven years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the life of the lease or the useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of property and equipment sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reported as current period income or expense. The costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Intangible Assets / Goodwill
The Company accounts for certain intangible assets at cost. Management reviews these intangible assets for probable impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If there is an indication of impairment, management would prepare an estimate of future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these estimated cash flows were less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss would be recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company performed a qualitative assessment of certain of its intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 and determined that they were not impaired.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Long-lived Assets
The Company accounts for long-lived assets, including certain intangible assets, at amortized cost. Management reviews long-lived assets for probable impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If there is an indication of impairment, management would prepare an estimate of future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these estimated cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss would be recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company performed a qualitative assessment of certain of its long-lived assets as of December 31, 2021 and determined that they were not impaired.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is based on income and expenses as reported for financial statement purposes using the “asset and liability method” for accounting for deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.
As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company established valuation allowances against its net deferred tax assets.
Income tax positions that meet the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of income tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with income tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above would be reflected as a liability for unrecognized income tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized income tax benefits would be classified as additional income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. There were no unrecognized income tax benefits, nor any interest and penalties associated with unrecognized income tax benefits, accrued or expensed as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States. and various state income tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to examinations by the related tax authorities for the Company’s U.S. federal and state income tax returns for years prior to 2018.
Comprehensive Income
The Company did not have any reconciling other comprehensive income items for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Accounts Receivable Factoring Program
During 2021, the Company participated in two accounts receivable factoring programs. One for its spirits customers (the “spirits program”) and another for its co-packing customers (the “co-packing program”). Under the programs, the Company has the option to sell certain customer account receivables in advance of payment for 75% (spirits program) or 85% (co-packing program) of the amount due. When the customer remits payment, the Company receives the remaining balance. For the spirits program, interest is charged on the advanced 75% payment at a rate of 2.4% for the first 30 days plus 1.44% for each additional ten-day period. For the co-packing program, interest is charged against the greater of $0.5 million or the total funds advanced at a rate of 5% plus the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal. Under the terms of both agreements, the factoring provider has full recourse against the Company should the customer fail to pay the invoice. In accordance with ASC Topic 860 - Transfers and Servicing, the Company has concluded that these agreements have met all three conditions identified in ASC Topic 860-10-40-5 (a) - (c) and have accounted for this activity as a sale. Given the quality of the factored accounts, the Company has not recognized a recourse obligation. In certain limited instances, the Company may provide collection services on the factored accounts but does not receive any fees for acting as the collection agent, and as such, the Company has not recognized a service obligation asset or liability. The Company factored $2.7 million of invoices and incurred $0 in fees associated with the factoring programs during the year ended December 31, 2021. In December 2021, the agreement with the co-packing program expired. The agreement with the spirits program had a zero balance as of December 31, 2021.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-08, Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, (“ASU 2021-08”) which requires an entity to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the effect that ASU 2021-08 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, (“ASU 2021-04”). ASU 2021-04 clarifies the accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding, equity-classified, written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity after a modification or exchange. The amendments that relate to the recognition and measurement of earnings per share (“EPS”) for certain modifications or exchanges of freestanding, equity-classified, written call options affect entities that present EPS. ASU 2021-04 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and may be applied prospectively. Early adoption of this standard is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company adopted ASU 2021-04 as of January 1, 2021.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, (“ASU 2020-06”) which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by eliminating the beneficial conversion feature and cash conversion models. Certain convertible instruments will be accounted for as a single unit of account, unless the conversion feature requires bifurcation and recognition as a derivative. Additionally, this ASU simplifies the earnings per share calculation, by eliminating the treasury stock method and requiring entities to use the if-converted method. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2021 with early adoption permitted.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)” (“ASU 2016-13”). The standard introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses and will apply to trade receivables. The new guidance will be effective for the Company’s annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the standard on the consolidated financial statements.
4. Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations
The Company reports discontinued operations by applying the following criteria in accordance with ASC Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations: (1) Component of an entity; (2) Held for sale criteria; and (3) Strategic shift.
On December 31, 2019, management made a strategic shift to focus the Company’s sales and marketing efforts on the nationally branded product platform, resulting in the decision to close all four of its retail stores in the Portland, Oregon area. The retail stores were closed or abandoned by March 31, 2020.
On February 2, 2021, Redneck Riviera Whiskey Co, LLC (“RRWC”) entered into a Termination and Inventory Purchase Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with Rich Marks, LLC, John D. Rich Tisa Trust and Redneck Spirits Group, LLC (collectively the buyers referred to as “RSG”), pursuant to which, on February 5, 2021, RRWC sold all of its inventory of Redneck Riviera, Granny Rich, and Howdy Dew distilled spirits products, including finished goods, raw materials, and barrel inventory, as well as all assignable certificates of label approval/exemption, branding, permits, and registrations relating thereto, for $4.7 million. In addition, the Company terminated its Amended and Restated License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) dated May 31, 2018 by and among Eastside, RRWC, Rich Marks, LLC, and John D. Rich TISA Trust U/A/D March 27, 2018, Dwight P. Miles, Trustee in exchange for $3.0 million. In connection with the Termination Agreement, the Company entered into a Supplier Agreement dated as of February 2, 2021 with RSG, pursuant to which the Company will produce certain products and perform specified services for RSG for a six (6) month period on the terms and conditions set forth in the Supplier Agreement. The Company did not incur any penalties as a result of the termination of the License Agreement.
As of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows from retail operations and the RRWC business have been classified as discontinued operations separately from continuing operations. For comparative purposes, prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Income and expense related to discontinued retail operations and the Redneck Riviera Spirits business were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Schedule of Discontinued Retail Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
Sales $ 283 $ 2,195
Less customer programs and excise taxes
Net sales 1,763
Cost of sales 1,142
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Loss on disposal of property and equipment -
Total operating expenses
Income (loss) from operations (213 )
Other income
Other income -
Gain on termination of license agreement 2,850 -
Total other income, net 3,830 -
Net income (loss) $ 3,858 $ (213 )
Assets and liabilities related to discontinued retail operations and the Redneck Riviera Spirits business were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Inventories $ - $ 3,833
Total current assets - 3,833
Right-of-use assets -
Other assets -
Total Assets $ - $ 4,022
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ - $ (13 )
Current portion of lease liability -
Total current liabilities -
Lease liability - less current portion -
Total Liabilities $ - $ 89
5. Business Segment Information
The Company’s internal management financial reporting consists of Eastside spirits and Craft C+B. The spirits brands span several alcoholic beverage categories, including whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, tequila and Ready-to-Drink (“RTD”) and are sold on a wholesale basis to distributors in open states, and brokers in control states. Craft C+B primarily services the craft beer and craft cider business. Craft C+B operates 14 mobile lines in Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Denver, Colorado.
The measure of profitability reviewed is a condensed statement of operations, including earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and gross margin. Management considers the non-GAAP measure of EBITDA as a supplement to GAAP results. Management believes this non-GAAP measure provides useful information about the Company’s operating results and assists investors in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that it does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. These business segments reflect how operations are managed, operating performance is evaluated and the structure of internal financial reporting. Total asset information by segment is not provided to, or reviewed by, the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) as it is not used to make strategic decisions, allocate resources or assess performance. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described for the Company in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 3. Spirits allocates 50% of certain general and administrative expenses to Craft C+B, which is included in the segments’ financial data below.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The Company’s principal area of operation is in the U.S. and has one spirit’s customer that represents 20% of its revenue. Segment information is as follows:
Schedule of Segment Information
(Dollars in thousands)
Spirits
Sales $ 5,672 $ 6,046
Net sales 5,176 5,274
Cost of sales 3,743 4,339
Gross profit 1,433
Total operating expenses 5,634 8,063
Net income (loss) (8,719 )
EBITDA 1,698 (6,309 )
Gross margin 28 % 18 %
Interest revenue $ - $ 34
Interest expense 1,203 1,003
Depreciation and amortization 1,407
Income tax expense - -
Significant noncash items:
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
Forgiveness of debt - Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) (1,052 ) -
Remeasurement of deferred consideration (750 ) -
Gain on disposal of offsite inventory
(1,047 ) -
Stock compensation
Craft C+B
Sales $ 7,218 $ 8,736
Net sales 7,218 8,734
Cost of sales 5,741 6,046
Gross profit 1,477 2,688
Total operating expenses 4,176 3,746
Net loss (2,351 ) (1,141 )
EBITDA (1,403 ) (176 )
Gross margin 20 % 31 %
Interest revenue $ - $ -
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax expense - -
Significant noncash items:
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment (420 )
Forgiveness of debt - PPP (396 ) -
Stock compensation
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
6. Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Inventories
(Dollars in thousands)
Raw materials $ 4,768 $ 5,455
Finished goods 1,742 1,273
Total inventories $ 6,510 $ 6,728
7. Prepaid Expenses and Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and current assets consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Current Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Prepayment of fixed assets $ 2,715 $ 295
Prepayment of inventory
Other
Total prepaid expenses and current assets $ 2,873 $ 750
8. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Property and Equipment
(Dollars in thousands)
Furniture and fixtures $ 3,779 $ 4,363
Leasehold improvements 1,386 1,637
Vehicles
Total cost 5,979 6,824
Less accumulated depreciation (3,816 ) (3,715 )
Total property and equipment, net $ 2,163 $ 3,109
Purchases of property and equipment totaled $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Depreciation expense totaled $0.8 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company disposed of fixed assets with a net book value of $0.5 million resulting in a loss on disposal of fixed assets of $0.4 million. As a result of these disposals, the Company received funds of $0.1 million from the sales of the disposed assets. Gain on disposal of fixed assets was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company wrote off obsolete fixed assets with a net book value of $0.1 million.
9. Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Intangible Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Permits and licenses $ 25 $ 25
Azuñia brand 11,945 11,945
Customer lists 2,895 2,895
Total intangible assets 14,865 14,865
Less accumulated amortization (1,241 ) (827 )
Intangible assets, net $ 13,624 $ 14,038
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The customer list is being amortized over a seven-year life. Amortization expense totaled $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The permits and licenses, and Azuñia brand have all been determined to have an indefinite life and will not be amortized. The Company, on an annual basis, tests the indefinite life assets for impairment. If an indefinite life asset is found to be impaired, then the Company will estimate its useful life and amortize the asset over the remainder of its useful life.
10. Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Other Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Product branding $ 400 $ 400
Deposits
Total other assets
Less accumulated amortization (229 ) (172 )
Other assets, net $ 457 $ 285
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $0.4 million of capitalized costs related to services provided for the rebranding of its existing product line. This amount is being amortized over a seven-year life.
Amortization expense totaled $0.1 million for both years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The deposits represent office lease deposits.
11. Leases
The Company has various lease agreements in place for facilities and equipment. Terms of these leases include, in some instances, scheduled rent increases, renewals, purchase options and maintenance costs, and vary by lease. These lease obligations expire at various dates through 2026. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company does not currently have any finance leases. As the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at commencement to determine the present value of the lease payments. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) are not recorded on the balance sheet and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As of December 31, 2021, the amount of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities were $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Aggregate lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $0.8 million, consisting of $0.3 million in operating lease expense for lease liabilities and $0.5 million in short-term lease cost.
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities
(Dollars in thousands) Operating
Leases Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Term in
Years
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity
$ 979
Thereafter
Total lease payments 3,800
Less imputed interest (based on 6.7% weighted-average discount rate) (521 )
Present value of lease liability $ 3,279 4.1
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
12. Notes Payable
Notes payable consisted of the following as of December 31:
Schedule of Notes Payable
(Dollars in thousands)
Notes payable bearing interest at 5.00%. The notes’ principal, plus any accrued and unpaid interest was due May 1, 2021. Interest is paid monthly. $ - $ 2,300
Notes payable bearing interest at 5.00%. The notes’ principal, plus any accrued and unpaid interest was due May 1, 2021. Interest is paid monthly. $ - $ 2,300
Note payable bearing interest at 1.00%. Loan payments are deferred six months from start of loan. To help ensure adequate liquidity in light of uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company received this loan under the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) PPP. The loan was forgiven during the first quarter of 2021 and was included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. - 1,052
Note payable bearing interest at 1.00%. The notes’ principal, plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due May 1, 2022. Loan payments are deferred six months from start of loan. The Company received this loan under the SBA’s PPP. The loan was forgiven during the first quarter of 2021 and was included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. -
Notes payable bearing interest at 5.00%. Principal and accrued interest is payable in six equal installments on each six-month anniversary of the issuance date of January 11, 2019. The notes are secured by the security interests and subordinated to the Company’s senior indebtedness.
Promissory note payable bearing interest of 5.2%. The note has a 46-month term with maturity in May 2023. Principal and accrued interest are paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B.
Promissory note payable bearing interest of 4.45%. The note has a 34-month term with maturity in May 2022. Principal and accrued interest are paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B and includes debt covenants requiring a Current Ratio of 1.75 to 1.00 and a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of 1.25 to 1.00. Craft C+B must also provide annual financial statements and tax returns. Craft C+B was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2021.
Promissory note payable under a revolving line of credit bearing variable interest starting at 3.25%. The note has a 15-month term with principal and accrued interest due in lump sum in January 2022. On January 4, 2022, the maturity date was further extended to April 8, 2022. The borrowing limit is $0.5 million. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B.
Promissory note payable bearing interest of 4.14%. The note has a 60-month term with maturity in July 2024. Principal and accrued interest are paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B.
Promissory note payable bearing interest of 3.91%. The note has a 60-month term with maturity in August 2024. Principal and accrued interest are paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B.
Promissory note payable bearing interest of 3.96%. The note has a 60-month term with maturity in November 2024. Principal and accrued interest are paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. The note is secured by the assets of Craft C+B.
Promissory notes payable bearing interest of 6.0%. The notes have a 36-month term with maturity in April 2024. Accrued interest is paid in accordance with a monthly amortization schedule. 7,751 -
Total notes payable 8,967 5,523
Less current portion (894 ) (3,830 )
Long-term portion of notes payable $ 8,073 $ 1,693
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The Company paid $0.3 million and $0.1 million in interest on notes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In October 2021, TQLA, LLC (“TQLA”) sold its promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million, whereby this portion of the note payable was no longer considered a related party liability.
Maturities on notes payable as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Schedule of Maturities on Notes Payable
(Dollars in thousands)
$ 894
7,879
-
-
Thereafter -
Total $ 8,967
13. Secured Credit Facilities
6% Secured Convertible Promissory Notes
On April 19, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with accredited investors (“Subscribers”) for their purchase of up to $3.3 million of principal amount of 6% secured convertible promissory notes of the Company (“Note” or “Notes”), which notes are convertible into shares (“Conversion Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Notes with an initial conversion price of $2.20. In connection with the purchase of such Notes, each Subscriber received a warrant (“Existing Warrant”), to purchase a number of shares of common stock (“Warrant Shares”) equal to 60% of the principal amount of any Note issued to such Subscriber divided by the conversion price of the Note issued to such Subscriber, at an exercise price equal to $2.60. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a Security Agreement under which it granted the Subscribers a security interest in certain assets of the Company (the “Security Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement under which the Company agreed to register for resale the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares. Concurrently therewith, the Company and the investors closed $3.3 million of the private offering.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Roth Capital, LLC acted as placement agent in the private offering, and the Company paid the Placement Agent a cash fee of five percent (5%) of the gross proceeds therefrom. The Company received $3.1 million in net proceeds from the closing, after deducting the fee payable to the Placement Agent and the legal fees of the Subscribers in connection with the transaction. The Company used the proceeds to repay prior outstanding notes payable and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 6% per annum and is payable either in cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price in the Note on each of the six and twelve month anniversaries of the issuance date and on the maturity date of October 18, 2022. The Company paid $0 in interest during the year ended December 31, 2021.
All amounts due under the Notes are convertible at any time after the issuance date, in whole or in part (subject to rounding for fractional shares), at the option of the holders into the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion price, which is subject to adjustment as summarized below. The Notes are initially convertible into the Company’s common stock at an initial fixed conversion price of $2.20 per share. This conversion price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations, or similar events, among other adjustments.
The Company may prepay the Notes at any time in whole or in part by paying a sum of money equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest, plus a prepayment fee equal to five percent (5%) of the principal amount to be repaid.
The Notes contain customary triggering events including but not limited to: (i) failure to make payments when due under the Notes; and (ii) bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company. If a triggering event occurs, each holder may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Notes (including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon), in cash.
The Notes are secured by a subordinated security interest in the Company’s assets pursuant to the terms of a Security Agreement entered into between the Company and the Subscribers.
On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into warrant exercise inducement offer letters (“Inducement Letters”) with the holders of the Existing Warrants to exercise for cash their Existing Warrants. The Company received gross proceeds of $2.4 million on the exercise of the outstanding warrants, and recognized a deemed dividend of $2.3 million based on the Black Scholes valuation as a result of the higher strike price on the July 2021 issued warrants, which is included in the consolidated statements of operations. See additional discussion in Note 17.
Live Oak Loan Agreement
On January 15, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) between the Company and Live Oak Banking Company (“Live Oak”), a North Carolina banking corporation (the “Lender”) to refinance existing debt of the Borrowers and to provide funding for general working capital purposes. Under the Loan Agreement, the Lender has committed to make up to two loan advances to the Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) $8.0 million and (ii) a borrowing base equal to 85% of the appraised value of the Borrowers’ eligible inventory of whisky in barrels or totes less an amount equal to all service fees or rental payments owed by the Borrowers during the 90 day period immediately succeeding the date of determination to any warehouses or bailees holding eligible inventory (the “Loan”).
The Loan matured on January 14, 2021 and all amounts outstanding under the Loan became due and payable. On January 8, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to the Loan Agreement with Live Oak to extend the maturity date to April 13, 2021. On April 13, 2021, the maturity date was amended to further extend it to May 13, 2021. On May 11, 2021, the maturity date was further extended to August 11, 2021 and the maximum loan balance was amended to the lesser of $3.0 million or the borrowing base. On August 11, 2021, the maturity date was further extended to October 11, 2021. On October 11, 2021, the maturity date was further extended to November 11, 2021. On February 28, 2022, Live Oak formally agreed to forbear enforcement of the Loan while the parties finalize a further extension of the maturity date. All other material terms of the Loan Agreement remain unchanged. The Lender may at any time demand repayment of the Loan in whole or in part, in which case the Borrowers will be obligated to repay the Loan (or portion thereof for which repayment is demanded) within 30 days following the date of demand. The Borrowers may prepay the Loan, in whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the prime rate plus a spread of 2.49%, adjusted quarterly. Accrued interest is payable monthly, with the final installment of interest being due and payable on the Maturity Date. The Borrowers are also obligated to pay a servicing fee, unused commitment fee and origination fee in connection with the Loan. The Company paid $0.2 million in interest during the year ended December 31, 2021. On February 5, 2021, the Company repaid $3.4 million of the secured credit facility with Live Oak, reducing the principal balance to $2.8 million as of December 31, 2021.
The Loan Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants that include covenants restricting each Company’s ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, grant liens, dispose of assets, merge or consolidate, make investments, or enter into restrictive agreements, subject to certain exceptions.
The obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement are secured by substantially all of its spirits respective assets, except for accounts receivable and certain other specified excluded property.
The Loan Agreement includes customary events of default that include among other things, non-payment defaults, covenant defaults, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, cross default to material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults and change in control defaults. Under certain circumstances, a default interest rate will apply on all obligations during the existence of an event of default under the Loan Agreement at a per annum rate equal to 2.00% above the applicable interest rate.
In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to the Lender a warrant to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.94 per share (the “Warrant”). The Warrant expires on January 15, 2025. In connection with the issuance of the Warrant, the Company granted the Lender piggy-back registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, subject to certain exceptions.
14. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes results in effective tax rates which are different than the federal income tax statutory rate. The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows, assuming a 21% federal effective tax rate. The Company also has a state tax rate for Oregon, of 6.6% for both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The provision of income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Schedule of Provision of Income Taxes
(Dollars in thousands)
Expected federal income tax benefit $ (431 ) $ (1,934 )
State income taxes after credits (145 ) (651 )
Change in allowance 2,585
Total provision for income taxes $ - $ -
The components of the net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 consisted of the following:
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 16,642 $ 15,731
Stock-based compensation
Total deferred tax assets 17,536 16,618
Deferred tax liability
Depreciation and amortization (1,650 ) (1,431 )
Total deferred tax liability (1,650 ) (1,431 )
Valuation Allowance (15,886 ) (15,310 )
Net deferred tax assets $ - $ -
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has a cumulative net operating loss carryforward (“NOL”) of approximately $49.9 million, to offset against future income for federal and state tax purposes. These federal and state NOLs can be carried forward for 20 and 15 years, respectively. The federal NOLs begin to expire in 2034, and the state NOLs begin to expire in 2029. The utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the Internal Revenue Code) and similar state provisions. In general, if the Company experiences a greater than 50 percentage aggregate change in ownership of certain significant stockholders over a three-year period (a “Section 382 ownership change”), utilization of its pre-change NOL carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (and similar state laws). The annual limitation generally is determined by multiplying the value of the Company’s stock at the time of such ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Such limitations may result in expiration of a portion of the NOL carryforwards before utilization and may be substantial.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Due to the uncertainty of the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management has determined a full valuation allowance is appropriate.
15. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
On December 15, 2020, Grover Wickersham filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District Court of Oregon against the Company. Mr. Wickersham, the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Company, has asserted causes of action for fraud in the inducement, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, interference with economic advantage, elder financial abuse, and dissemination of false and misleading proxy materials. The Company disputes the allegations and intends to defend the case vigorously.
The Company is not currently subject to any other material legal proceedings; however, it could be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, or legal proceedings it considered immaterial may in the future become material. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can, among other things, be time consuming and expensive to resolve, and can divert management resources.
16. Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without considering any dilutive items. Potentially dilutive securities consist of the incremental common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options, convertible notes and warrants. Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive common shares included in the calculation of income (loss) per common share as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
17. Stockholders’ Equity
Issuance of Common Stock
During 2021, the Company issued 313,442 shares of common stock to directors and employees for stock-based compensation of $0.6 million. The shares were valued using the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, within the range of $1.28 to $2.98 per share.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
On February 10, 2021 and April 19, 2021, the Company issued 1.2 million shares and 682,669 shares, respectively, of its common stock (the “Shares”) to certain affiliates of Intersect pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 12, 2019 by and between the Company and Intersect in respect of the Azuñia Tequila acquisition at a weighted-average of $4.67 per share and $1.82 per share, respectively. The Shares constitute the “Fixed Shares” due to Intersect pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement.
On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into Inducement Letters with the holders of the Existing Warrants to exercise their Existing Warrants and purchased 900,000 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $2.4 million.
During 2021, the Company sold 1,297,653 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $3.6 million in at-the-market public placements. In addition, the Company issued 5,000 shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options at $1.23 per share.
During 2020, the Company issued 706,987 shares of common stock to directors, employees and consultants for stock-based compensation of $1.0 million. The shares were valued using the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, within the range of $1.08 to $3.20 per share.
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock
On October 19, 2021, Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited investor (“Subscriber”) for its purchase of 2.5 million shares (“Preferred Shares”) of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) at a purchase price of $1.00 per Preferred Share, which Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in a Certificate of Designation Establishing Series B Preferred Stock of the Company with an initial conversion price of $3.10 per share and 850,000 shares of common stock were reserved.
The Series B Preferred Stock accrues dividends at a rate of 6% per annum, payable annually on the last day of December of each year. Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative. Dividends are payable at the Company’s option either in cash or “in kind” in shares of common stock; provided, however that dividends may only be paid in cash following the fiscal year in which the Company has net income (as shown in its audited financial statements contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for such year) of at least $0.5 million. For “in-kind” dividends, holders will receive that number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the amount of the dividend payment due such stockholder divided by (ii) the volume weighted average price of the common stock for the 90 trading days immediately preceding a dividend date (“VWAP”). For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued as dividends 10,670 shares of common stock at a VWAP of $2.57 per share.
Stock-Based Compensation
On September 8, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). Pursuant to the terms of the plan, on January 1, 2021, the number of shares available for grant under the 2016 Plan reset to 3,747,583 shares, equal to 8% of the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock, calculated on an as-converted basis, on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, and then added to the prior year plan amount. As of December 31, 2021, there were 57,586 options and 1,362,876 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) outstanding under the 2016 Plan, with vesting schedules varying between immediate or three (3) years from the grant date.
The Company also issues, from time to time, options that are not registered under a formal option plan. As of December 31, 2021, there were no options outstanding that were not issued under the Plans.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
A summary of all stock option activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below:
Summary of Stock Option Activity
# of Options Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 784,101 $ 5.65
Options granted 22,000 0.65
Options exercised (5,000 ) 1.23
Options canceled (671,587 ) 5.70
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 134,514 $ 4.71
Options granted 5,000 0.53
Options exercised (5,000 ) 1.23
Options canceled (76,928 ) 4.95
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 57,586 $ 3.29
Exercisable as of December 31, 2021 54,628 $ 3.20
On December 7, 2021, the Company issued 5,000 shares of common stock at $1.23 per share upon the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $6,150.
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was $8,400.
As of December 31, 2021, there were 2,958 unvested options with an aggregate grant date fair value of $4,774. The unvested options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule in each respective option agreement, which varies between immediate and three years from the grant date. The aggregate intrinsic value of unvested options as of December 31, 2021 was $0. During the year ended December 31, 2021, 10,833 options vested.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to measure the grant-date fair value of stock options. The grant-date fair value of stock options issued to employees is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Stock-based awards issued to nonemployees are recorded at fair value on the measurement date and are subject to periodic market adjustments as the underlying stock-based awards vest.
To determine the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, the calculation takes into consideration the effect of the following:
● Exercise price of the option
● Fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant
● Expected term of the option
● Expected volatility over the expected term of the option
● Risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option
The calculation includes several assumptions that require management’s judgment. The expected term of the options is calculated using the simplified method described in GAAP. The simplified method defines the expected term as the average of the contractual term and the vesting period. Estimated volatility is derived from volatility calculated using historical closing prices of common shares of similar entities whose share prices are publicly available for the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturities in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the options.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021:
Schedule of Weighted-average Assumptions Used in Black-scholes Valuation Method
Risk-free interest rate 1.69 %
Expected term (in years) 5.0
Dividend yield -
Expected volatility 75 %
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1.17. The aggregate grant date fair value of the 5,000 options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $5,845.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, net compensation expense related to stock options was $26,983 and $0.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the total compensation expense related to stock options not yet recognized was approximately $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.5 years.
On August 11, 2021, the Company’s annual compensation program for its board of directors was approved. Effective October 1, 2021, it now includes 1) annual board member fees of $0.05 million, paid in quarterly installments, (2) an annual board chair premium of $0.02 million, paid in quarterly installments, (3) an annual committee chair premium of $0.01 million, paid in quarterly installments, and (4) an annual committee member fee of $0.02 million, paid in quarterly installments. The directors have agreed to be compensated in RSU’s in lieu of cash payment.
Warrants
From April 19, 2021 through May 12, 2021, the Company issued in a private placement, Existing Warrants to purchase up to 900,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per Warrant Share. The estimated fair value of the warrants of $0.7 million was recorded as debt issuance cost and will be amortized to interest expense over the maturity period of the secured credit facility, with $0.2 million recorded during the period ended December 31, 2021.
On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into Inducement Letters with the holders of the Existing Warrants whereby such holders agreed to exercise for cash their Existing Warrants to purchase the 900,000 Warrant Shares in exchange for the Company’s agreement to issue new warrants (the “New Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of common stock (the “New Warrant Shares”). The New Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Existing Warrants, except that the New Warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable until August 19, 2026. The Company received gross proceeds of $2.4 million on the exercise of the outstanding warrants, and recognized a deemed dividend of $2.3 million based on the Black Scholes valuation as a result of the higher strike price on the July 2021 issued warrants, which is included in the consolidated statements of operations as a deemed dividend - warrant price protection-revaluation adjustment and in additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets.
The estimated fair value of the New Warrants was based on a combination of closing market trading price on the date of issuance for the public offering warrants, and the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, using the assumptions below:
Schedule of Weighted-average Assumptions for New Warrants
Volatility 75 %
Risk-free interest rate 0.69 %
Expected term (in years) 5.0
Expected dividend yield -
Fair value of common stock $ 3.88
In connection with the Purchase Agreement described above, the Subscriber for the Series B Preferred Stock received a warrant to purchase up to 116,666 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to $3.75 per share. The warrants have an estimated fair value of $0.1 million based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model using the assumptions below.
Schedule of Weighted-average Assumptions for Warrants
Volatility 75 %
Risk-free interest rate 1.17 %
Expected term (in years) 4.0
Expected dividend yield -
Fair value of common stock $ 2.61
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.94 per share in connection with the Secured Credit Facility from Live Oak.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
A summary of activity in warrants was as follows:
Summary of Warrant Activity
Warrants Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Life
(Years) Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 240,278 3.2 $ 4.85 $ -
Granted 1,916,666 4.5 3.09 -
Exercised (900,000 ) 2.7 2.65 -
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 1,256,944 4.0 $ 3.42 $ -
18. Related Party Transactions
The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2020 as to which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $0.1 million or one percent (1%) of the average of total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, which was $0.3 million, and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity, compensation, termination and other arrangements.
On October 24, 2019, the Company’s Board appointed Stephanie Kilkenny to the Board to fill an existing vacancy on the Board effective immediately. Stephanie Kilkenny was the former managing director of Azuñia Tequila, and together with her spouse, owns and controls TQLA, the majority owner of Intersect. Effective June 15, 2020, the Company’s Board appointed Robert Grammen to the Board to fill an existing vacancy and he is also a member of Intersect.
In connection with the acquisition of Azuñia Tequila from Intersect, TQLA was entitled to receive up to 93.88% of the aggregate consideration payable under the Asset Purchase Agreement. On February 10, 2021 and April 19, 2021, the Company issued 1.2 million shares and 682,669 shares, respectively, of its common stock (the “Shares”) to certain affiliates of Intersect pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 12, 2019 by and between the Company and Intersect in respect of the Azuñia Tequila acquisition at a weighted-average of $4.67 per share and $1.82 per share, respectively. The Shares constituted the “Fixed Shares” due to Intersect pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, all shares held by TQLA were sold.
In addition, on September 16, 2019, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with Stephanie Kilkenny’s spouse, Patrick J. Kilkenny as Trustee For Patrick J. Kilkenny Revocable Trust (the “Kilkenny Trust”), in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Kilkenny Trust an aggregate of 55,555 units at a per unit price of $4.50. Each unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock and a three-year warrant to acquire 0.5 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share. As of December 31, 2021, all shares held by the Kilkenny Trust were sold.
On April 19, 2021, the Company issued $7.8 million in principal amount of promissory notes as the Earnout Consideration. The loans mature in full on April 1, 2024 and accrue interest at a rate of 6.0% annually. TQLA received a total of 598,223 shares of common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million. Robert Grammen received a total of 22,027 shares of the Company’s common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $0.1 million. The notes have a 36-month term with maturity in April 2024. In October 2021, TQLA sold its promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million.
On February 5, 2021, the Company repaid other liabilities due to Intersect and TQLA in an amount of $0.7 million.
Eastside Distilling, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The Company believes that the foregoing transactions were in its best interests. Consistent with Section 78.140 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, it is the Company’s current policy that all transactions between it and its officers, directors and their affiliates will be entered into only if such transactions are approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, are approved by vote of the stockholders, or are fair to the Company as a corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board. The Company will continue to conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions and potential conflicts of interest on an ongoing basis. The Company’s audit committee has the authority and responsibility to review, approve and oversee any transaction between the Company and any related person and any other potential conflict of interest situation on an ongoing basis, in accordance with Company policies and procedures in effect from time to time.
19. Subsequent Events
Debt
The Company finalized an amendment with a lender to extend the maturity date of its promissory note payable of $0.5 million that matured in January 2022 to April 8, 2022. All other material terms of the Loan Agreement remain unchanged.
On February 4, 2022, the Company repaid $0.9 million of the secured credit facility with Live Oak, reducing the principal balance to $1.9 million at that date.
On February 28, 2022 Live Oak formally agreed to forbear enforcement of the Loan while the parties finalize a further extension of the maturity date. All other material terms of the Loan Agreement remain unchanged.
On March 21, 2022, the Company has entered into a definitive agreement with TQLA, LLC to accept a one year loan of $2.0 million with a conditional additional loan of $1.0 million and a conditional term extension of six months. The loan will bear interest at 9.25% and carry a commitment fee of 2.5%. In addition, the Company will issue a common stock purchase warrant to TQLA covering the loan amount with a common stock value of $1.20 per share.
Stock Issuances
On February 4, 2022, the Company issued 170,000 shares of common stock to its former Chief Executive Officer pursuant to his separation agreement under the 2016 Plan.
Other
On February 4, 2022, the Company sold 798 barrels of 95% rye whiskey ranging in age from three-year-old to eight-year-old for $1.5 million. The proceeds from the sale reduced debt outstanding with Live Oak as well as increased cash for working capital.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2021.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 using the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. We were not required to have, nor have we, engaged our independent registered public accounting firm to perform an audit of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following is a brief description of the principal occupation and recent business experience of each of our executive officers and directors and their ages as of March 30, 2022:
Name
Age
Position
Geoffrey Gwin
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Director
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro (1)(2)(3)
Chairman
Eric Finnsson (1)(2)(3)
Director
Robert Grammen (1)(2)(3)
Director
Joseph Giansante
Director
Stephanie Kilkenny
Director
Amy L. Brassard
Corporate Secretary
(1) Member of the audit committee.
(2) Member of the compensation committee.
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Our board of directors currently consists of six members. All directors hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Board vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Our board may establish the authorized number of directors from time to time by resolution.
Our executive officers are each appointed by the board and serve at the board’s discretion.
There are no family relationships among our officers or directors.
Executive Officers
Geoffrey Gwin was appointed to our Board of Directors on March 28, 2022. Mr. Gwin was also appointed as our Chief Executive Officer on February 1, 2022 and our Chief Financial Officer as of June 15, 2020. Mr. Gwin previously served as a member of the board of directors from August 2019 through June 2020. Mr. Gwin formed Group G Capital Partners, LLC in 2003 and has continuously managed its related strategies as its Chief Investment Officer. From June 2018 until February 2020, Mr. Gwin was a Member of Quad Capital Management Advisors, LLC and the Managing Member of Group G Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Gwin is a Board Observer of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, Inc., a private company offering technology solutions to wealth advisors, RIA’s and other financial services firms. Mr. Gwin has held positions at Symphony Asset Management, BHF-BANK Aktiengesellschaft, and Citibank, Inc. over the last two decades. Mr. Gwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Amy L. Brassard was appointed as our Corporate Secretary on August 11, 2021 and joined the Company in August 2017. Ms. Brassard has served as our Director of Administration, HR and Compliance Specialist, and most recently as our Corporate Affairs Director. From October 2014 until July 2017, Ms. Brassard held the position of Equity Sales Assistant with KeyBanc Capital Markets serving the National Equities Sales Manager. From 2011 until 2014, Ms. Brassard worked as an Employment Specialist with a non-profit and then as a Staffing Manager for a boutique staffing agency. Ms. Brassard holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the State University of New York at Oswego.
Non-Employee Directors
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro was appointed to our Board of Directors on March 22, 2021. Ms. Levy-Navarro co-founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Orrington Strategies, a management consulting firm, helping consumer products and financial services executives grow their businesses and brands, from 2002 to 2017. Since 2018, she has been a corporate advisor with Summit Strategy Advisors. From 1993 to 2002, Ms. Levy-Navarro served as Practice Leader and Operating Committee Member for The Cambridge Group. Ms. Levy-Navarro led her practice helping corporate executives develop and implement business growth strategies. Ms. Levy-Navarro also serves on the Wilshire Mutual Funds Board, as its Valuation Committee Chair, and on its Audit, Nominating, and Investment Committees. She also serves on the AIG US Life Company Board, including on its Corporate Affairs (Audit) Committee. Ms. Levy-Navarro earned her MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and holds a BBA in Marketing from University of Michigan.
Eric Finnsson was appointed to our Board of Directors on July 30, 2020. Since March 2019, Mr. Finnsson has served as chief financial officer of GLG Life Tech Corporation, a producer of zero calorie natural sweeteners. Prior to joining GLG Life Tech Corporation, Mr. Finnsson worked as an independent consultant, offering finance and business consulting services to start-ups and individuals investing in China. A retired audit partner, Mr. Finnsson worked for KPMG for over 25 years in Canada, Europe and China, including three years specializing in Global Risk Management in KPMG’s International Headquarters. During his time with KPMG in China, Mr. Finnsson specialized in auditing and advising large multinational groups in the food and beverages sector. Mr. Finnsson graduated from The University of British Columbia in 1987 with a major in Economics and received his designation as a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 1990.
Robert Grammen was appointed to our Board of Directors on June 15, 2020. Since 1999, Mr. Grammen has been affiliated with EFO Management, LLC, where he currently serves as a managing director. EFO Management, LLC is a family investment office, where Mr. Grammen is responsible for the origination, analysis, structure and execution of direct debt and equity investments across a wide range of asset classes that include IT, healthcare, hospitality, spirits and real estate. Prior to joining EFO Management, LLC, Mr. Grammen served as a vice president of International Trading Group, focusing on the purchase, restructure, and sale of distressed municipal bond debt. Mr. Grammen received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia.
Joseph Giansante was appointed to our Board of Directors on March 28, 2022. Since March 2021, Mr. Giansante has served as the Executive Vice President of Big League Dreams, LLC. Previous to his role at Big League Dreams, Mr. Giansante was Eastside Distilling’s Chief Marketing Officer from September 2019 until November 2020, having joined the Company as part of the Azuñia Tequila asset purchase. Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Giansante was the Managing Director of Azuñia Tequila and oversaw all aspects of the operation. Prior to Azuñia, Mr. Giansante served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Vivature Sports Solutions of Dallas, Texas after a long career in collegiate sports. Mr. Giansante served as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Revenue Officer of Syracuse athletics, as well as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Brand Development - External Affairs for the University of Oregon Athletic Department, where he oversaw and managed Oregon athletics' marketing and brand identity. Prior to joining the University of Oregon, Mr. Giansante served as the Programming Executive Producer and Director of the Oregon Sports Network and CSN, and was also the Ducks’ television play-by-play voice and studio show host for a 12-year period starting in 2000, where he won two sports Emmy Awards. Mr. Giansante holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oregon.
Stephanie Kilkenny was appointed to our Board of Directors on October 24, 2019. Ms. Kilkenny was the former managing director of Azuñia Tequila, and together with her spouse, owns and controls TQLA, LLC (“TQLA”), the majority owner of Intersect Beverage, LLC. Ms. Kilkenny holds a BS Psychology from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and relocated to California immediately upon earning her degree. She began her post-college career in Client Services at the corporate offices of Mail Boxes Etc. and as an Operations Manager at the corporate offices of Insurance Express Services. After a few years in the corporate world, Ms. Kilkenny returned to the classroom to study photography and acquire an AA Interior Design from Mesa College. She then opened her own photography and design firm, Adair Interiors, LLC. Stephanie currently serves as Board President of the Lucky Duck Foundation, a non-profit organization that has raised over $10 million dollars for various charitable organizations since Ms. Kilkenny and her husband Patrick founded it in 2005. In 2017, The Lucky Duck Foundation narrowed its focus to alleviating the suffering of San Diego County’s homeless population. Their annual Swing & Soiree event has raised over $1 million dollars per year for the past 5 years.
Board Committees
Audit Committee
Our audit committee oversees the engagement of our independent public accountants, reviews our audited financial statements, meets with our independent public accountants to review internal controls and reviews our financial plans. Our audit committee currently consists of Eric Finnsson, who is the chair of the committee, Robert Grammen, and Elizabeth Levy-Navarro. Each of Messrs. Finnsson and Grammen and Ms. Levy-Navarro have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with Nasdaq and SEC standards. Our Board of Directors has also designated Mr. Finnsson as an “audit committee financial expert” as the term is defined under SEC regulations and has determined that Mr. Finnsson possesses the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable Nasdaq rules. The audit committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website at https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/investors. Both our independent registered accounting firm and internal financial personnel regularly meet with our audit committee and have unrestricted access to the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows. Further, no member of the audit committee has participated in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, or those of any of our current subsidiaries, at any time during the past three years.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies, practices and procedures relating to compensation for our directors and officers and advises and consults with our officers regarding the compensation of managerial personnel and its relation to corporate development. Our compensation committee currently consists of Elizabeth Levy-Navarro, who is the chair of the committee, Eric Finnsson, and Robert Grammen, each of whom has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with Nasdaq standards. Each member of our compensation committee is also a non-employee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The compensation committee operates under a written charter which is available on the Company’s website at https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/investors.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates the composition, size and governance of our Board of Directors and its committees, evaluates and recommends candidates for election to our Board of Directors, establishes a policy for considering stockholder nominees and reviewing our corporate governance principles and provides recommendations to the Board of Directors. Our nominating committee currently consists of Robert Grammen, who is the chair of the committee, Eric Finnsson, and Elizabeth Levy-Navarro, each of whom has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with Nasdaq standards. The nominating committee operates under a written charter which is available on the Company’s website at https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/investors.
Board Diversity Matrix
Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 30, 2022)
Female Male
Total Number of Directors
Part I: Gender Identity
Directors
Part II: Demographic Background
Hispanic or Latinx
White
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
Director Nomination Process
The nominating committee identifies director nominees by first considering those current members of the Board of Directors who are willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board of Directors with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of the skills and experiences of the current members and the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board of Directors with that of obtaining a new perspective or skills and experiences. If any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service, if the nominating committee or the Board of Directors decides not to re-nominate a member for reelection, if the nominating committee or the Board of Directors decided to fill a director position that is currently vacant, or if the nominating committee or the Board of Directors decides to recommend that the size of the Board of Directors be increased, the nominating committee identifies the desired skills needed by the board and will evaluate the experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria described below. Current members of the Board of Directors and management are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the Board of Directors’ criteria. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals and, if appropriate, the nominating committee may engage a search firm. Nominees for director are selected by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, with any current directors who may be nominees themselves abstaining from any vote relating to their own nomination. We anticipate that all of our directors will participate in the consideration of the director nominees for election at the Company’s upcoming annual meeting. Although the nominating committee and the Board of Directors do not have a formal diversity policy, the Board of Directors expects that the nominating committee will consider such factors as it deems appropriate to develop a Board and committees that are diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. Factors considered by the nominating committee include judgment, knowledge, skill, diversity (including factors such as race, gender, and experience), integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, including experience in the spirits industry, business, finance, administration or public service, the relevance of a candidate’s experience to our needs and experience of other board members, familiarity with national and international business matters, experience with accounting rules and practices, the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members, and the extent to which a candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any committees of the Board of Directors.
In addition, directors are expected to be able to exercise their best business judgment when acting on behalf of us and all stockholders, act ethically at all times, and adhere to the applicable provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Other than consideration of the foregoing and applicable SEC and Nasdaq requirements, unless determined otherwise by the nominating committee, there are no stated minimum criteria, qualities, or skills for director nominees. However, the nominating committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of us and all stockholders. In addition, at least one member of the Board of Directors serving on the audit committee should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” having the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules, and a majority of the members of the Board of Directors should meet the definition of “independent director” under applicable Nasdaq rules.
The nominating committee and the Board of Directors may consider suggestions for persons to be nominated for director that are submitted by stockholders. The nominating committee will evaluate stockholder suggestions for director nominees in the same manner as it evaluates suggestions for director nominees made by management, then-current directors, or other appropriate sources. Stockholders suggesting persons as director nominees should send information about a proposed nominee to our Secretary at our principal executive offices as referenced above at least 90 days before the anniversary of the prior year’s annual stockholder meeting. This information should be in writing and should include a signed statement by the proposed nominee that he or she is willing to serve as a director of Eastside Distilling, Inc., a description of the proposed nominee’s relationship to the stockholder and any information that the stockholder feels will fully inform the Board of Directors about the proposed nominee and his or her qualifications. The Board of Directors may request further information from the proposed nominee and the stockholder making the recommendation. In addition, a stockholder may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at our annual meeting of stockholders.
General Stockholder Communications
Stockholders can send communications to the Board of Directors by sending a certified or registered letter to the Chairman of the Board, care of the Secretary, at our main business address set forth above. Communications that are threatening, illegal, or similarly inappropriate, and advertisements, solicitations for periodical or other subscriptions, and other similar communications will generally not be forwarded to the Chairman.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers, and directors. We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Requests may be directed to our principal executive offices at 2321 NE Argyle Street, Unit D, Portland, Oregon 97211. Also, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website. We will disclose, on our website, any amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics enumerated in applicable rules of the SEC.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Named Executive Officers for services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Name and Position Year Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Paul Block 350,000
-
200,000 (1)
-
550,000
Chief Executive Officer, Director (Since July 1, 2020) 174,777 (2)
87,388 (3)
100,000 (4)
60,000 (5)
422,165
Geoffrey Gwin 232,692
-
44,000 (6)
-
276,692
Chief Financial Officer, Director (Since June 15, 2020) 51,923
35,000 (7)
150,000 (8)
62,989 (9)
299,912
Amy Brassard 85,530
5,000
52,800 (10)
-
143,330
Corporate Secretary (Since August 11, 2021) 80,166
-
-
-
80,166
(1) Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $200,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023, if Mr. Block remains employed on the applicable vesting date. Mr. Block resigned from the Company February 1, 2022.
(2) Mr. Block’s salary in 2020 was paid in all stock. The amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of 125,000 shares calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(3) Mr. Block’s bonus in 2020 was paid in all stock. The amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of 62,500 shares calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(4) Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $100,000 of RSUs, one-half (1/2) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, if Mr. Block remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(5) Mr. Block received $60,000 in director fees for 2020.
(6) Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $44,000 of RSUs, which vest on January 15, 2023, if Mr. Gwin remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(7) Mr. Gwin received a bonus of $35,000, $17,500 of which was paid in cash and $17,500 was paid in 16,204 shares of stock, calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(8) Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $150,000 of RSUs, one-quarter of which will be earned and vested on each of September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, if Mr. Gwin remains employed on the applicable vesting date. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, $56,250 of unvested RSU’s were rescinded by mutual agreement.
(9) Mr. Gwin received $62,989 in director fees for 2020, which he elected to receive in 40,246 restricted stock units in lieu of cash, calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(10) Ms. Brassard received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which vested immediately. In addition, she received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which vest on January 15, 2023, if Ms. Brassard remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
Employment Agreement
The Company does not have a formal severance policy or plan applicable to the executive officers as a group. The following summaries of the employment agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the employment agreements, as amended, which have been previously filed in our prior SEC reports.
Employment Agreement with Paul Block
Paul Block was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer as of July 1, 2020. The agreement was terminated effective February 1, 2022.
Employment Agreement with Geoffrey Gwin
On June 15, 2020 the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Mr. Gwin. The agreement expired on June 15, 2021. Mr. Gwin is now employed at will, with the terms of his employment being determined by the expired Employment Agreement.
Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Gwin received an annual base salary of $250,000, with $100,000 in cash and $150,000 in RSUs. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the award vested on each of March 31, June 30 and September 30 and December 31 of each year this contract is in effect, beginning September 30, 2020. Mr. Gwin was eligible to receive a target incentive payment of 100% of his annual base salary beginning in 2020, paid 50% in RSUs and 50% in cash. Actual payments were determined based on a combination of the Company’s results and individual performance against the applicable performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Mr. Gwin also received (i) a signing bonus of $35,000, 50% in cash and 50% in fully vested stock of the Company, and (ii) other benefits that were generally available to other executive officers of the Company. Effective February 4, 2021, Mr. Gwin and the Company entered into a First Amendment to Employment Agreement (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which (i) the Company agreed to pay his entire base salary in cash following the transactions contemplated by that Termination and Inventory Purchase Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) dated as of February 2, 2021 with Redneck Spirits Group LLC, and (ii) $56,250 of unvested RSUs were rescinded.
Potential Payments upon Termination
In the event that the Company terminated Mr. Gwin’s employment without cause, Mr. Gwin’s Executive Employment Agreement provided for payment of his Base Salary for the unexpired portion of his employment term. Since the term of his employment agreement has expired, Mr. Gwin is not currently entitled to any payment upon termination.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2021 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth all outstanding equity awards made to each of the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. The unvested equity awards held by Mr. Block as of December 31, 2021 terminated upon his resignation on February 1, 2022.
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
unexercisable Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#) Option
Exercise
Price
($) Option
Expiration
Date Number
of
shares
or units
of stock
that
have
not
vested
(#) Market
value
of
shares
of units
of
stock
that
have
not
vested
($) Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number
of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
(#) Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Market
or
payout
value of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
($)
Paul Block
Grant (1) - - - $ - - - $ - 156,250 $ 200,000
Grant (2) - - - $ - - - $ - 156,250 $ 200,000
Grant (3) - - - $ - - - $ - 78,125 $ 100,000
Geoffrey Gwin (4) - - - $ - - - $ - 25,000 $ 44,000
Amy L. Brassard (5) - 5,609 - $ 3.99 1/10/2025 - $ - 15,000 $ 26,400
(1) Mr. Block is to receive a grant of the equivalent of $200,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023, if Mr. Block remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(2) Mr. Block is to receive a grant of the equivalent of $200,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2022 and ending December 31, 2024, if Mr. Block remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(3) Mr. Block is to receive a grant of the equivalent of $100,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2023 and ending December 31, 2025, if Mr. Block remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(4) Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $44,000 of RSUs, which will vest January 15, 2023, if Mr. Gwin remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(5) Ms. Brassard received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which will vest January 15, 2023, if Ms. Brassard remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
Compensation of Directors
Director Compensation
On August 11, 2021, the Company’s annual compensation program for its board of directors was approved. Effective October 1, 2021, it now includes 1) annual board member fees of $45,000, paid in quarterly installments, (2) an annual board chair fees of $24,000, paid in quarterly installments, (3) an annual committee chair premium of $5,000, paid in quarterly installments, and (4) an annual committee member fee of $20,000, paid in quarterly installments. The directors have agreed to be compensated in RSU’s in lieu of cash payment.
Paul Block, our only employee director during 2021, only received compensation for services as an executive officer. The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by or paid to our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash ($)
Stock
Awards ($)
Option
Awards ($)
Total ($)
Eric Finnsson 124,500
(1) -
-
119,500
Stephanie Kilkenny 68,250 (2) -
-
68,250
Robert Grammen 119,500 (3) -
-
119,500
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro 79,465 (4) 12,450 (5) 5,000 (6) 96,915
(1) Elected to receive 59,519 RSUs in lieu of cash for $119,500 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant. Mr. Finnsson also received $5,000 in cash in respect of special committee fees.
(2) Elected to receive 37,130 RSUs in lieu of cash for $68,250 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(3) Elected to receive 59,519 RSUs in lieu of cash for $119,500 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(4) Elected to receive 36,796 RSUs in lieu of cash for $79,465 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(5) Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the 5,399 restricted stock units calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant ($2.82, $2.58 and $1.79 per share) without regards to forfeitures.
(6) Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of 5,000 shares of common stock underlying the stock options with an exercise price of $1.90, without regards to forfeitures, computed in accordance with ASC 718. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value realized by the director. The options issued vest immediately. The assumptions used to calculate the value of the stock options are set forth in Note 17 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Under U.S. securities laws, directors, certain officers and persons holding more than 10% of our common stock must report their initial ownership of our common stock and any changes in their ownership to the SEC. The SEC has designated specific due dates for these reports and we must identify in this Annual Report on Form 10-K those persons who did not file these reports when due. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of copies of the reports filed with the SEC and the representations of our directors and executive officers, we believe that all reporting requirements for fiscal year 2021 were complied with by each person who at any time during the 2021 fiscal year was a director or an executive officer or held more than 10% of our common stock, except that Paul Block filed late eight reports, Geoffrey Gwin filed late two reports, Amy L. Brassard filed late two reports, Elizabeth Levy-Navarro filed late seven reports, Stephanie Kilkenny filed late three reports and Robert Grammen filed late two reports. The Company is currently conducting a review with its officers and directors of all transactions subject to Section 16 reporting requirements in order to cure any remaining delinquencies.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information as of March 30, 2022 as to each person or group who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding voting securities and as to the security and percentage ownership of each of our executive officers and directors and of all of our officers and directors as a group. As of March 30, 2022, the Company had 14,961,450 shares of common stock outstanding.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder.
Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of March 30, 2022 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Name And Address (1) Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned Percentage Owned
5% Stockholders:
Crater Lake Pte Ltd (2) 923,118 (3) 5.81 %
Bigger Capital Fund, LP (4)
District 2 Capital Fund LP (5) 1,660,538 (6) 9.99 %
TQLA, LLC 1,813,155 (7) 10.88 %
Officers and Directors
Geoffrey Gwin 244,115 (8) 1.63 %
Amy Brassard 20,609 (9) 0.14 %
Eric Finnsson 95,904 (10) 0.64 %
Stephanie Kilkenny 1,813,155 (7) 10.88 %
Robert Grammen 162,707 (11) 1.08 %
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro 56,181 (12) 0.37 %
Joseph Giansante 500 (13) 0.00 %
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) 2,393,171 14.22 %
6,789,982
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the address is c/o Eastside Distilling, Inc., 2321 NE Argyle, Unit D, Portland, Oregon 97211.
(2) The address is 883 North Bridge Road, #06-05 Southbank, Singapore 198785.
(3) Includes 806,451 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock and 116,666 shares of common stock of the registrant issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $3.75 per share.
(4) The address is 11434 Glowing Sunset Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135.
(5) The address is 175 West Carver Street, Huntington, New York 11743.
(6) Bigger Capital Fund, LP and District 2 Capital Fund LP are a “group” as that term is defined by the SEC. The ownership of the group includes (a) up to 681,818 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible promissory notes and up to 409,091 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by Bigger Capital Fund, LP and (b) up to 681,818 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible promissory notes and up to 409,091 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by District 2 Capital Fund LP. The notes may not be converted and the warrants may not be exercised if, after giving effect to the conversion or exercise, the holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock; accordingly the value stated in the table does not include 521,280 shares issuable upon full conversion. The information in this note is based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2022.
(7) Includes 102,460 shares held in Ms. Kilkenny’s capacity as trustee of the Stephanie A. Kilkenny Trust, 16,250 shares that Ms. Kilkenny has a right to acquire within 60 days of March 30, 2022; 1,666,666 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by TQLA, LLC (“TQLA”), which Ms. Kilkenny, together with her spouse, owns and controls; and 27,778 warrants held directly by Patrick J. Kilkenny, Trustee of the Patrick J. Kilkenny Revocable Trust. Mr. Kilkenny is the spouse of the Reporting Person.
(8) Includes 107,000 shares held by Group G Investments, LP (“Group G Investments”), the general partner of which is Group G Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Gwin is the managing member and Chief Investment Officer of Group G Capital Partners, LLC and is also a limited partner of Group G Investments. By virtue of his roles with Group G Capital Partners, LLC, he may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of Group G Investments’ portfolio securities; however, he disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 25,000 RSUs that vest January 15, 2023.
(9) Includes 15,000 RSUs that vest January 15, 2023 and 5,609 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options.
(10) Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options and 32,500 shares that Mr. Finnsson has a right to acquire within 60 days of March 30, 2022.
(11) Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options and 32,500 shares that Mr. Grammen has a right to acquire within 60 days of March 30, 2022.
(12) Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options and 33,500 shares that Ms. Levy-Navarro has a right to acquire within 60 days of March 30, 2022.
(13) Includes 500 shares that Mr. Giansante has a right to acquire within 60 days of March 30, 2022.
The following table sets forth information as of March 30, 2022 as to each person or group who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Series B preferred stock. As of March 30, 2022, we had 2,500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder.
Shares of Series B preferred stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 30, 2022 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Name And Address Number of Series B Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned Percentage Owned
5% Stockholders:
Crater Lake Pte Ltd 2,500,000 100.00 %
883 North Bridge Road
#06-05 Southbank
Singapore 198785
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. The following provides information concerning compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2021:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
(a) (b) (c)
Plan Category Number of
securities to
be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights Weighted-
average
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
($) Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities in
column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) (2) 57,586 $ 3.29 2,327,121
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 57,586 $ 3.29 2,327,121
(1) Stock Incentive Plan. On September 8, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The total number of shares available for the grant of either stock options or compensation stock under the 2016 Plan was initially set at 166,667 shares, subject to adjustment. On January 1, 2017 and pursuant to the plan provisions, the number of shares available for grant under the 2016 Plan reset to 307,139 shares, equal to 8% of the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock, calculated on an as-converted basis, on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. On October 18, 2017, the Board of Directors approved amendments to the 2016 Plan to (i) increase the number of shares of the common stock that may be issued under the 2016 Plan (the “Aggregate Limit”) by an additional 192,861 shares of common stock, for a total of 500,000 shares of common stock, (ii) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be granted to any participant pursuant to options to purchase common stock and stock appreciation rights under the 2016 Plan in any one year period (the “Individual Option Limit”) from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares, (iii) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be granted to any participant pursuant to other awards (the “Individual Award Limit”) under the 2016 Plan in any one year period from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares and (iv) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be paid to any one participant under the 2016 Plan for a performance period pursuant to performance compensation awards under the 2016 Plan (the “Individual Performance Award Limit”) from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares, which amendments were adopted and approved at the December 2017 meeting of stockholders. On January 1, 2020, pursuant to the plan provisions, the number of shares available for grant under the 2016 Plan reset to 2,887,005 shares. On January 1, 2021, pursuant to the plan provisions, the number of shares available for grant under the 2016 Plan reset to 3,747,583 shares. The exercise price per share of each stock option shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2021, there were 57,586 options, with a weighted-average exercise price of $3.29 per share, and 1,362,876 RSUs issued under the 2016 Plan, with vesting schedules varying between immediate and three (3) years from the grant date.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2020 as to which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent (1%) of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination and other arrangements which are described above under the headings “Compensation of Directors” and “Executive Compensation.” As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, there are no proposed transactions as described in the foregoing sentence.
Stephanie Kilkenny
Stephanie Kilkenny was appointed to the Board in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 12, 2019 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), between us and Intersect Beverage, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Intersect”), pursuant to which we acquired substantially all of the assets of Intersect, an importer and distributor of tequila and related products under the brand name Azuñia. The Transaction closed on September 12, 2019. Mrs. Kilkenny was the former managing director of Azuñia Tequila, and together with her spouse, owns and controls TQLA, the majority owner of Intersect.
In connection with the acquisition of Azuñia Tequila from Intersect, TQLA was entitled to receive up to 93.88% of the aggregate consideration payable under the Asset Purchase Agreement. On February 10, 2021 and April 19, 2021, we issued 1.2 million shares and 682,669 shares, respectively, of our common stock (the “Shares”) to certain affiliates of Intersect pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 12, 2019 by and between us and Intersect in respect of the Azuñia Tequila acquisition at a weighted-average of $4.67 per share and $1.82 per share, respectively. The Shares constitute the “Fixed Shares” due to Intersect pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, all shares held by TQLA were sold.
In addition, on September 16, 2019, we entered into a Subscription Agreement with Stephanie Kilkenny’s spouse, Patrick J. Kilkenny as Trustee For Patrick J. Kilkenny Revocable Trust (the “Kilkenny Trust”), in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder, pursuant to which we issued and sold to the Kilkenny Trust an aggregate of 55,555 units at a per unit price of $4.50. Each unit consists of one share of our common stock and a three-year warrant to acquire 0.5 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share. As of December 31, 2021, all shares held by the Kilkenny Trust were sold.
On April 19, 2021, we issued $7.8 million in principal amount of promissory notes as the Earnout Consideration. The loans mature in full on April 1, 2024 and accrue interest at a rate of 6.0% annually. TQLA received a total of 598,223 shares of common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million. Robert Grammen, a member of our Board and a member of Intersect, received a total of 22,027 shares of our common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $0.1 million. The notes have a 36-month term with maturity in April 2024. In October 2021, TQLA sold its promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million.
On February 5, 2021, we repaid other liabilities due to Intersect and TQLA in an amount of $0.7 million.
Robert Grammen
Effective June 15, 2020, our Board appointed Robert Grammen to the Board to fill an existing vacancy on the Board. Mr. Grammen is also a member of Intersect. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Intersect, Mr. Grammen received a total of 22,027 shares of our common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $91,740.
We believe that the foregoing transactions were in the best interests of the Company. Consistent with Section 78.140 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, it is our current policy that all transactions between us and our officers, directors and their affiliates will be entered into only if such transactions are approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, are approved by vote of the stockholders, or are fair to us as a corporation as of the time they are authorized, approved or ratified by the board. We will conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis, and, where appropriate, we will utilize our audit committee for the review of potential conflicts of interest.
Director Independence
Generally, under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. Our Board of Directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Our Board of Directors has determined that Eric Finnsson, Robert Grammen, and Elizabeth Levy-Navarro are independent within the meaning of Nasdaq listing standards. Accordingly, a majority of our directors is independent, as required under applicable Nasdaq rules. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. In making this determination, the Board of Directors considered all transactions set forth under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” above.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Audit Fees
M&K CPAS, PLLC (“M&K”) billed us $59,000 in fees for our 2021 annual audit and $54,000 in fees for the completion of our 2020 audit. M&K also billed $31,500 and $28,500 in fees for the review of our quarterly financial statements in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Audit Related Fees
We paid fees to M&K for assurance and related services of $15,500 and $10,500 related to other SEC filings in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Tax Fees
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the aggregate fees billed for tax compliance by M&K were $4,000 and $15,000, respectively.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
We have implemented pre-approval policies and procedures related to the provision of audit and non-audit services. Under these procedures, our audit committee pre-approves all services to be provided by M&K and the estimated fees related to these services.
All audit, audit related, and tax services were pre-approved by the audit committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by M&K was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. Our pre-approval policies and procedures provide for the audit committee’s pre-approval of specifically described audit, audit-related, and tax services on an annual basis, but individual engagements anticipated to exceed pre-established thresholds must be separately approved. The policies and procedures also require specific approval by the audit committee if total fees for audit-related and tax services would exceed total fees for audit services in any fiscal year. The policies and procedures authorize the audit committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. EXHIBITS
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following documents are included in Item 8 of this report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
These schedules are omitted because they are not required or because the information is set forth in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1 *
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1 *
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Schema Linkbase Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed herewith.