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 combination of readings for the BPI (30) and At-Risk Inventory (52) measures signals a contractionary state for the industry. Only two segments, FMB/Seltzer and Cider, posted higher readings in June 2025 relative to 2024, with Cider seeing its highest June reading since 2021.
Looking across the segments for June:
- The index for imports fell 32-points to 38 in June 2025 from 70 in June 2024.
- The craft index at 15 for June 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is 12-points lower than the June 2024 reading at 27.
- The premium lights index fell to 33 for June 2025, 19-points lower than the June 2024 reading at 52.
- The premium regular index fell to 31 for June 2025, 18-points lower than the June 2024 reading at 49.
- The below premium segment for June 2025 at 45 is 9 points lower than the June 2024 reading of 54.
- The FMB/seltzer reading for June 2025 at 46 is eight points higher than the June 2024 reading at 38.
- Finally, the cider segment posted a June 2025 reading at 33 compared to 31 for June 2024.
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!