About the Beer Purchasers’ Index
By: Lester Jones, NBWA Vice President, Analytics and Chief Economist
The NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors a timely and reliable indicator of industry beer purchasing activity. BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for the industry to measure expected beer demand (one month forward) in the marketplace. Similar to the widely recognized Purchasing Managers’ Index, the BPI is a net-rising index and a leading indicator of industry performance based on survey responses from participating beer purchasers. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
The Latest Data
The June BPI reading of 52 marks the fourth consecutive month at or above 50, while the combined readings for BPI (52) and at-risk inventory (44) give the industry its first three-month expansionary streak since 2024.
At-risk inventory dropped eight points from the June 2025 reading of 52. After a period of inventory recalibration, the beer industry appears to have found a healthier equilibrium entering its most pivotal season.
Growth Across Segments
All segments recorded year-over-year improvement, led by a 23-point increase for Imports to 61 — its first reading above 60 since July 2024.
Cider reached 50 for the first time since 2018, following a 17-point jump from June 2025. The segment continues its upward trajectory in BPI data this year.
Looking across the segments for June:
- The imports index at 61 is 23 points higher than June 2025 and 10 points higher than May 2026.
- The craft index at 21 is six points higher than June 2025 and three points higher than May 2026.
- The premium lights index at 48 is 15 points higher than June 2025 and eight points higher than May 2026.
- The premium regular index at 42 is 11 points higher than June 2025 and seven points lower than May 2026.
- The below premium index at 50 is five points higher than June 2025 and one point higher than May 2026.
- The FMB/seltzer index at 47 is one point higher than June 2025 and even with May 2026.
- The cider segment at 50 is 17 points higher than June 2025 and six points higher than May 2026.
Beer Distributors
Please sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales. Complete the form below using your company’s primary beer purchaser’s contact information. For additional information, please email bpi@nbwa.org.
Beer Distributor Expectations Sign Up
Sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales!