Consumer Price Index For Beer +5% in April 2022

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The price of beer — like most goods — is on the rise. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for beer increased +5% in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday.

The CPI measures the average price change over time paid by consumers for goods and services.

April’s CPI for all urban consumers increased +0.3% month-over-month, the lowest increase since August 2021. However, that’s coming off a 12-month high of +1.2% from February to March, according to the agency. Over the last 12-month period ending in April, the index for all items has increased +8.3%.

The CPI increase for beer in April outpaced both spirits (+1.7%) and wine (+1.5%). Through the first four months of 2022, the CPI for beer is up +3.7%.

Most publicly traded beer companies have shared plans to increase price given near across the board supply chain challenges.

In NielsenIQ tracked off-premise channels, the average case price for beer has increased $1.36 compared to a year ago, at $27.78/case year-to-date through April 30. Over the last four weeks, the average price of beer is up $1.21, with the average case priced at $28.06, the firm reported.

Every segment with the exception of cider has taken price in the off-premise this year, with hard seltzer brands taking the most price (+$2.39, to $35.32 YTD, +$2.83, to $35.90 over the last four weeks). Here’s a look at each segment:

  • Craft beer +$1.76, to $40.62, YTD; +$1.99, to $40.66 L4W;
  • Imports +$1.27, to $34.48, YTD; +$0.99, to $34.45 L4W;
  • Domestic super premiums +$0.71, to $29.72 YTD; +$0.63, to $29.90 L4W;
  • FMBs (minus hard seltzer) +$1.41, to $36.79 YTD; +$1.43, to $37.11 L4W;
  • Premium regulars +$1.15, to $23.46 YTD; +$1.09, to $23.66 L4W;
  • Premium Lights +$1.06, to $22.93 YTD; +$1.02, to $23.14 L4W;
  • Cider -$2.69, to $39.25 YTD; -$11.41, to $30.84 L4W;
  • Below premium +$0.93, to $17.65 YTD; +$0.96, to $17.87 L4W;
  • Malt liquor +$1.22, to $20.33 YTD; +$1.30, to $20.54 L4W.

Breaking it out by channel, in convenience stores tracked by NielsenIQ, the average case price of beer has increased $1.69, with the average case priced at $28.51 year-to-date. Over the last four weeks, the average price is up $1.52, with the average case price at $28.85.

In grocery stores tracked by NielsenIQ, the average case price of beer is up $1.05 year-to-date, with the average case running $28.15. Case prices are up $0.75 over the last four weeks, to around $28.31 per case.

Meanwhile, the Producer Price Index (PPI) — which measures the average change in pieces producers get for the sale of their products — increased +0.5% in April, and is up +11% since April 2021, the BLS shared today.

Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson tweeted that the latest PPI “sums up the challenges pretty well. Go drink some draught!”