Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for May 2025.

As the beer industry enters the summer selling season, the Beer Purchasers’ Index (45) and At-Risk Inventory (47) measures show sequential improvement over the preceding three months. The At-Risk Inventory measure dropped below the 50 benchmark for the first time since January.

This combination of readings moves the industry from contractionary territory to a more cautionary state.

Across the segments, FMB/Seltzer registered its eighth highest reading of the past three years and a significant increase from its May 2023 reading of 26, reflecting a positive shift in its long-term index trend.

Looking across the segments for May:

• The index for imports fell 30-points to 42 in May 2025 from 72 in May 2024.
• The craft index at 20 for May 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is 12-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 32.
• The premium lights index fell to 37 for May 2025, 17-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 54.
• The premium regular index fell to 42 for May 2025, 11-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 53.
• The below premium segment for May 2025 at 47 is three points lower than the May 2024 reading of 50.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for May 2025 at 39 is three points lower than the May 2024 reading at 42.
• Finally, the cider segment posted a May 2025 reading at 33 compared to 31 for May 2024.

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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 135,000 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.