Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchaser’ Index (BPI) for March 2023.

The March BPI shows a continued shift towards a more predictable environment for the beer industry in 2023. While the March BPI/ARI ratio of 50/51 represents a slight regression from February’s 54/46, a fully neutral (50/50) ratio can indicate more predictable ordering and inventory levels. Following several tumultuous and unpredictable years, a stable and balanced environment is welcome news for the beer industry.

Looking across the segments for March:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with a reading of 62, five points lower than the March 2022 reading of 67.
• The craft index at 28 continues to signal segment contraction and is below the March 2022 reading of 47.
• The premium lights index posted a reading of 47 which is slightly lower than the March 2022 reading of 51.
• The premium regular segment index is at 37, which closely matches the March 2022 reading of 38.
• The below premium segment reading at 53 is well above the March 2022 reading of 41 and continues a trend into expanding (above 50) territory.
• The FMB/seltzer reading slide to 21 in March and which is significantly lower than the March 2022 reading of 42.
• Finally, the cider segment posted a March reading at 31 compared to 36 in March 2022.

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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 140,000 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.