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 September reading of 39 improved 11 points from September 2025 (+7 from 2024) while dipping one point from August. Coupled with a relatively higher At-Risk Inventory reading of 54, the results place the beer industry in a contractionary position heading into the fall.
Compared to September 2025, all segments recorded higher year-over-year readings, led by Below Premium at 46. All segments except Premium Lights stayed even or improved from August 2026.
Looking across the segments for September:
- The below premium index at 46 is three points higher than September 2025 and six points higher than August 2026.
- The cider segment at 44 is eight points higher than September 2025 and flat with August 2026.
- The FMB/seltzer index at 44 is one point higher than September 2025 and two points higher than August 2026.
- The imports index at 40 is three points higher than September 2025 and even with August 2026.
- The premium lights index at 39 is six points higher than September 2025 and one point lower than August 2026.
- The premium regular index at 35 is one point higher than September 2025 and four points higher than August 2026.
- The craft index at 23 is seven points higher than both September 2025 and August 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!