Press Release

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

The April Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) shows a slight deterioration in the beer industry outlook from the February and March data. The April BPI dropped to 49, which is just below the expansionary benchmark of 50 and represents a step back from the positive BPI readings we saw the last two months. At the same time, the April At-Risk Inventory (ARI) increased to 55. This data suggests that beer purchasers are taking a more cautious approach to ordering heading into the second quarter following continued economic uncertainty along with milder and wetter Spring weather relative to March 2022.

Looking across the segments for April:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with a reading of 66, three points lower than the April 2022 reading of 70.
• The craft index at 33 continues to signal segment contraction and is below the April 2022 reading of 48.
• The premium lights index posted a reading of 43 lower than the April 2022 reading of 52.
• The premium regular segment index is at 32, slightly below the April 2022 reading of 38.
• The below premium segment reading at 49 is well above the April 2022 reading of 37 and continues a trend close to the expanding (above 50) territory.
• The FMB/seltzer reading fell to 24 in April, which is significantly lower than the April 2022 reading of 40.

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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.