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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 5, 2004


ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1-14829
(Commission File Number)

Delaware   84-0178360
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

311 - 10th Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
(Address of principal executive offices, with zip code)

(303) 279-6565
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act

ý
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act




Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

        Adolph Coors Company ("Coors") and Molson Inc. ("Molson") announced on November 5, 2004 that in connection with the previously announced merger of the two companies, they have agreed to include a special dividend to Molson shareholders as part of the transaction. Pentland Securities (1981) Inc., a company owned by Eric H. Molson and Stephen T. Molson and controlled by Eric H. Molson, has agreed to forgo any participation in the special dividend. Both Molson Class A non-voting and Class B common shareholders, excluding Pentland, will receive C$ 3.26 per share, or a total of approximately C$ 381 million (US$ 316 million), payable as part of the plan of arrangement to Molson shareholders of record as of the last trading day immediately prior to the date of closing of the merger transaction. A copy of the press release announcing the special dividend is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

        Molson is also currently authorized to brew, distribute and sell Coors brands in Canada under agreements between Molson and Coors and currently brews, distributes and sells the Coors Light brand in Canada. Coors also sells the Molson family of brands in the United States through a joint venture.

        This Form 8-K includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by such terms and phrases as "would", "may", "will", "expects" or "expected to" and other terms with similar meaning indicating possible future events or actions or potential impact on the businesses or shareholders of Adolph Coors Company and Molson Inc. (separately and together the "Companies"). Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipated benefits, savings and synergies of the merger between Adolph Coors Company and Molson Inc., including future financial and operating results, Coors' and Molson's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the markets for Coors' and Molson's products, the future development of Coors' and Molson's business, and the contingencies and uncertainties to which Coors and Molson may be subject and other statements that are not historical facts. This filing and the attached press release also includes information that has not been reviewed by the Companies' independent auditors. There is no assurance the transaction contemplated in this filing will be completed at all, or completed upon the same terms and conditions described. All forward-looking statements in this filing are expressly qualified by information contained in each company's filings with regulatory authorities. The Companies do not undertake to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

        The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the ability to obtain required approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Coors and Molson stockholders to approve the merger; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; and disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers. Additional factors that could cause Coors' and Molson's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the periodic reports filed by Coors with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at the Securities and Exchange Commission's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Neither Coors nor Molson undertakes and each specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

        Coors has filed a preliminary joint proxy statement/management information circular regarding the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stockholders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement/management information circular when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the definitive joint proxy statement/management information circular, as well as other filings containing information about Coors, without charge, at the Securities and Exchange Commission's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the definitive joint proxy statement/management information circular and the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that will be incorporated by reference in the definitive joint proxy statement/management information circular can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Adolph Coors Company, 311 10th Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, Attention: Investor Relations, (303) 279-6565. The respective directors and executive officers of Coors and Molson and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding Coors's and Molson's directors and executive officers, and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is available in the preliminary joint proxy statement/management information circular filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

        Date: November 5, 2004


 

 

ADOLPH COORS COMPANY

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
ANNITA M. MENOGAN      
Annita M. Menogan
    Its:   Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
  Description

99.1   Press release of Adolph Coors Company dated November 5, 2004, reporting the agreement in principle between Adolph Coors Company and Molson Inc. to amend the Combination Agreement, dated July 21, 2004.



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SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX