Press Release

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

America’s beer distributors reported increased ordering levels entering the warm weather season. The April beer purchasers’ index shot up to 62, continuing its rise into expansionary territory after last month’s reading of 53.

This marks the highest BPI reading — and first at 60 or higher — since December 2021.

All seven measured segments recorded YoY growth, led by 27- and 20-point jumps for Premium Regular and Premium Lights, respectively. This is the first time since March 2021 that readings for the BPI and all segments increased in the same month.

Strong segment growth (including four expansionary readings) and contracting amounts of at-risk inventory (46, down from 47 in March) reflect an optimistic ordering environment as the industry heads into summer.

Looking across the segments for April:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with an April 2024 reading of 73, seven points higher than April 2023 reading of 66.
• The craft index at 36 for April 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment; however, the current reading is three points higher than the April 2023 reading of 33.
• The premium lights index remains in expansionary territory at 63 for April 2024, 20 points higher than the April 2023 reading at 43.
• The premium regular index moved into expansionary territory for April 2024, with a substantial 27-point gain above the April 2023 reading of 32.
• The below premium segment for April 2024 rose to 53 from 49 in April 2023.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for April 2024 at 40 is significantly higher than the April 2023 reading of 24.
• Finally, the cider segment posted an April 2024 reading of 39 compared to 36 for April 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.