Press Release
May BPI Remains in Expansion
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for May 2026.
As America’s beer distributors prepare for the summer selling season, the combined index readings for BPI (52) and at-risk inventory (39) — the lowest mark since 2021 — keep the industry in expansionary territory.
The May BPI reading of 52 is the third consecutive month at or above 50 and a seven-point increase from May 2025.
Segment readings cooled from a strong April, but all except Craft posted year-over-year gains. Premium Regular reached its highest level since July 2024 and FMB/Seltzer notched its first three-month streak of 40+ readings since 2021.
Looking across the segments for May:
- The imports index at 51 is nine points higher than May 2025 and 13 points lower than April 2026.
- The craft index at 18 is two points lower than May 2025 and six points lower than April 2026.
- The premium lights index at 40 is three points higher than May 2025 and 19-points lower than April 2026.
- The premium regular index at 49 is seven points higher than May 2025 and one point higher than April 2026.
- The below premium index at 49 is two points higher than May 2025 and one point lower than April 2026.
- The FMB/seltzer index at 47 is eight points higher than May 2025 and nine points lower than April 2026.
- The cider index at 44 is 11-points higher than May 2025 and one point lower than April 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.