The FMB/hard seltzer reading on the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s monthly Beer Purchasers’ Index fell to an “unprecedented” 31 in November 2021.
The reading is a stark contrast to November 2020, when the segment had a reading of 87. A reading greater than 50 indicates expansion, while a reading lower than 50 indicates contraction.
On the other end of the spectrum, imports had the highest reading (68) of all beer category segments, about the same reading as November 2020. In the previous month, imports recorded a reading of 69.
Premium lights (54) also recorded growth last month. The segment has grown month-over-month from its October 2021 reading (52), but is below its reading from the same month last year (70).
Craft (47) contracted for the third month in a row, following a reading of 43 in October and 44 in September. The reading is also below November 2020 (55). Regular domestic (38) also declined compared to November 2020 (58).
Below premium (29) had the lowest reading, posting another November of contraction after 2020’s reading of 49. Similarly, cider recorded a reading of 32 compared to 24 in November 2020.
At-risk inventory was below 50 in all segments except for FMB/seltzer, which the NBWA said signals continued supply constraints.
“The industry numbers will continue to behave erratically over the next few months as shipments, depletions and sales to consumer measures remain out of sync,” NBWA chief economist Lester Jones noted.
Beer Institute Releases October Domestic Tax Paid Estimate
The Beer Institute (BI) released its unofficial estimate of domestic tax paid shipments for October 2021.
The trade group estimated domestic brewers shipped 12.9 million barrels in October – an increase of 1.8% compared to October 2020 removals of 13,521,000 barrels.
Year-to-date through October, shipments are estimated to be 142,495,000 barrels – a 0.7% increase compared to 2020, when brewers shipped an estimated 141,940,492 barrels between January and October.
The BI is scheduled to release the November 2021 domestic tax paid estimate on December 22.
