<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PETE'S
BREWING COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AS
SHOWN IN THE 10-K FILING.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          19,814
<SECURITIES>                                    19,420
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,664
<ALLOWANCES>                                       139
<INVENTORY>                                      4,431
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,463
<PP&E>                                           5,112
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  66,088
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,549
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        48,551
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,760
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    66,088
<SALES>                                         70,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,634
<CGS>                                           34,761
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,795
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,437
<INCOME-TAX>                                       754
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,683
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,683
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16