Press Release
BPI Returns to Expansion in April
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for April 2026.
An increase in expected distributor demand pushed the BPI above the benchmark (50) for the first time in 21 months, with an April reading of 59.
The combined index readings for at-risk inventory (48) and BPI (59) place the industry in expansionary territory heading into the summer.
For the second consecutive month, every segment recorded higher year-over-year readings, with Imports, Premium Lights, Below Premium and FMB/Seltzer all posting readings at or above 50.
Looking across the segments for April:
- The imports index at 64 is 13-points higher than April 2025 and ten points higher than March 2026.
- The craft index at 24 is four points higher than April 2025 and one point higher than March 2026.
- The premium lights index at 59 is 21-points higher than April 2025 and 13-points higher than March 2026.
- The premium regular index at 48 is 11-points higher than April 2025 and four points higher than March 2026.
- The below premium index at 50 is four points higher than April 2025 and two points lower than March 2026.
- The FMB/seltzer index at 56 is 13-points higher than April 2025 and three points higher than March 2026.
- The cider segment at 45 is sixteen points higher than April 2025 and six points higher than March 2026.
About NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index: BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for distributors to measure expected beer demand. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to previous years. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
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The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system.
Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 135,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.