The Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) “did not change significantly” from August to September, and remained relatively similar to ordering trends in September 2022, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).
The overall BPI for September was 45 for the second consecutive month, similar to the September 2022 reading of 46, indicating continued contraction for beer ordering as we enter the fall.
As a reminder, a BPI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
Ordering trends were “static” year-over-year (YoY) for most segments, with all but cider recording a BPI reading within five points of its 2022 comps. While cider remained in contraction with a reading of 35, the segment improved its September reading by 11 points YoY and two points versus August 2023.
Imports was the only segment to record expansion, with a reading of 62, slightly above its 2022 reading of 61, but 10 points below its August 2023 reading of 73.
NBWA chief economist Lester Jones had some optimism for the craft segment when reporting the August 2023 BPI, as the segment improved its reading by 14 points YoY, with a reading 42 versus 28 in 2022, suggesting “the segment may have bottomed out and should see higher levels of ordering in the future.”
However, craft fell back again in September, with a reading of 27, “nearly unchanged” from its 2022 reading of 26.
Premium lights “fell into the contraction zone” with a reading of 47, after recording expansion in August, with a reading of 58. The segment’s BPI was unchanged versus September 2022.
The below premium segment also flipped from expansion to contraction, with a reading of 47 in September versus 52 in August. This year’s September BPI was also five points below its September 2022 reading (47).
The flavored malt beverage/hard seltzer segment continued to contract, with a reading of 28, slightly above its September 2022 (24), but below its August 2023 reading (33).