Press Release

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for October 2022.

The October BPI results show the total beer index at 37 and the “at-risk” inventory at 56. The October data marks a pessimistic start to the fourth quarter of 2022 for the industry. Continued inflationary pressures and a slowing economy bring the industry to a fifth month of pause after five months of positive ordering trends in 2022.

bout 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 October:     

1. The imports index stands as the only beer segment in expansion territory with a reading of 59 in October 2022, lower relative to the October 2021 reading of 69.
2. The craft index at 23 remains well below the October 2021 reading of 43.
3. The premium lights index posted a reading of 45, slightly below the October 2021 reading of 52.
4. The premium regular segment index is at 32, below the October 2021 reading of 42.
5. The below premium segment at 47 is significantly above its October 2021 reading of 30. For a fifth month in a row, below premiums have posted higher readings year-over-year.
6. The FMB/seltzer index continues to contract, falling to 18 in October 2022 from the October 2021 reading of 44.
7. Finally, the cider segment index at 30 for October 2022 is about the same reading as October 2021 at 29.

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.