Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for December 2022. Not only did the entire country set a new low-temperature record in December, but the Beer Purchasers’ Index also recorded its lowest index reading. The December BPI shows a reading of 30, and the “at-risk” inventory index of 51 marks a very pessimistic outlook for January 2023.

About NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index: BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for distributors to measure expected beer demand. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to previous years. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.

Looking across the segments for December: 

• The imports index is the only segment pointing to expanding volumes, with a reading of 54 in December, which is 19 points lower than the December 2021 reading of 74. While still above 50, the import segment has consistently trended lower month over month in 2022.
• The craft index at 24 is well below the December 2021 reading of 60 and has reached its most significant low since 2015.
• The premium lights index posted a reading of 31, which is also below the December 2021 reading of 65.
• The premium regular segment index is at 28, below the December 2021 reading of 51.
• The below premium segment sits at 42, four points higher than the December 2021 reading of 38 and it continues to be the only segment to report a higher reading compared to the year 2021.
• The FMB/seltzer segment continues to contract, falling to 26 in December compared to the December 2021 reading of 36.
• Finally, the cider segment reports a 26 reading, compared to a December 2021 reading of 45.

Following the BPI data, the industry’s narrative has not changed much since June 2022. The purchasing behavior of the industry is best described as slow and cautious in the face of changing retailer and consumer demand, which is an appropriate outlook and strategy for distributors heading into 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.