Press Release

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

The September data did not change significantly from August, as the BPI stayed in place below the (50) benchmark at 45 while the At-Risk Inventory (ARI) measure ticked up one point to 53. September ordering trends across segments were static; outside of an 11-point jump for cider, all segments were within 5 points of their 2022 comps.

Looking across the segments for September:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with September 2023 reading at 62.
• The craft index at 27 for September 2023 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is nearly unchanged from September 2022 reading at 26.
• The premium light index fell into the contraction zone with an index reading at 47 for September 2023, also unchanged from September 2022 reading at 47.
• The premium regular segment index for September 2023 at 40 is slightly higher than September 2022 reading at 36.
• The below premium segment for September 2023 at 42 is slightly lower than September 2022 reading at 47.
• The FMB/seltzer reading at 28 for September 2023 is only slightly higher than the September 2022 reading at 24.
• Finally, the cider segment posted a September reading at 35 compared to 24 in September 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.