Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for August 2024.

This month’s results show a downshift in distributor sentiment to a more cautious outlook. The current BPI reading of 40 breaks a five month streak of 50 or higher BPI readings that started in March 2024.

However, the current August Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) reading of 40 follows a trend for the post-Covid marketplace; the past three years have all seen August BPI readings in the 40s. The combination of index readings for the at-risk inventory (48) and BPI (40) indicate a cautious outlook for the beer industry heading into the end of summer.

Looking across the segments for August:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with an August 2024 reading of 55, six points lower than August 2023 reading of 61.
• The craft index at 23 for August 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is twelve points lower than the August 2023 reading at 35.
• The premium lights index fell to 38 for August 2024, ten points lower than August 2023 reading at 48.
• The premium regular index fell to 39 for August 2024, one point lower than the August 2023 reading at 40.
• The below premium segment for August 2024 at 45 is slightly higher than August 2023 reading of 43.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for August 2024 at 36 is nine points higher than the August 2023 reading at 27.
• Finally, the cider segment posted an August 2024 reading at 30 compared to 29 for August 2023.

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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.