About the Beer Purchasers’ Index
By: Lester Jones, NBWA Vice President, Analytics and Chief Economist
The NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors a timely and reliable indicator of industry beer purchasing activity. BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for the industry to measure expected beer demand (one month forward) in the marketplace. Similar to the widely recognized Purchasing Managers’ Index, the BPI is a net-rising index and a leading indicator of industry performance based on survey responses from participating beer purchasers. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
The Latest Data
The BPI reading of 24 follows similar results in September and August, reflecting continued uncertainty surrounding fourth quarter retailer and consumer demand.
The at-risk inventory measure rose above the benchmark (50) from 48 to 51. This combination of index readings signals a continued contractionary state.
Individual segment readings showed little deviation from the September index; other than Imports (+6) and FMB/Seltzer (-8), all measured within three points of last month’s readings.
Looking across the segments for October:
- The imports index at 43 is 14-points lower than October 2024 and six points higher than September 2025.
- The craft index at 14 is 11-points lower than October 2024 and two points lower than September 2025.
- The premium lights index at 33 is eight points lower than October 2024 and even with September 2025.
- The premium regular index at 34 is even with both October 2024 and with last month’s September 2025 reading.
- The below premium index at 40 is 14-points lower than October 2024 and three points lower than September 2025.
- The FMB/seltzer index at 35 is three points lower than October 2024 and eight points lower than September 2025.
- The cider segment at 36 is seven points higher than October 2024 and even with September 2025.
Beer Distributors
Please sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales. Complete the form below using your company’s primary beer purchaser’s contact information. For additional information, please email bpi@nbwa.org.
Beer Distributor Expectations Sign Up
Sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales!