Press Release

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

The May Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) rose above the benchmark (50) to 52 while the At Risk Inventory (ARI) measure also increased above the benchmark (50) to 61. This combination of at-risk inventory and expected beer orders is out of the industry’s “comfort zone,” as the industry typically does not willingly increase beer orders while sitting on too much inventory.

Looking across the segments for May:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with a reading of 75, four points higher than the May 2022 reading of 71.
• The craft index at 39 continues to signal segment contraction but is slightly above the May 2022 reading of 37.
• The premium lights index posted a reading of 49, slightly higher than the May 2022 reading of 48.
• The premium regular segment index is at 43, above the May 2022 reading of 37.
• The below premium segment reading of 50 is well above the May 2022 reading of 40 and continues a trend close to the expanding (above 50) territory.
• The FMB/seltzer reading fell to 26 in May and significantly lower than the May 2022 reading of 37.

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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.