Year-End Beer Purchasing Shows Slight Caution, Growth YoY

Press Release Jan 08, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers' Index (BPI) for December 2024.

The combination of index readings for at-risk inventory (48) and the beer purchasers' index (48) reflects a slightly cautious outlook for distributor sentiment approaching the year's end. The current BPI reading of 48 reflects a four-point recovery from last year's reading of 44.

Notable results include four segments posting higher readings in December 2024 compared to the previous year. Specifically, the Below Premium segment showed significant growth, with a reading of 45 - an 18-point increase year-over-year.

Overall, the index for December 2024 remains slightly below the 10-year average for the month but demonstrates improvement over the past three years.

Looking across the segments for December:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes, with a December 2024 reading of 67 - one point lower than December 2023 reading of 68.
• The craft index at 30 for December 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment and remains the same as December 2023 reading of 30.
• The premium lights index rose to 53 for December 2024, three points higher than December 2023 reading at 50. The premium light segment is one of four segments to post a higher reading in December 2024 compared to 2023.
• The premium regular index fell to 42 for December 2024, six points lower than the December 2023 reading at 48.
• The below premium segment for December 2024 at 45 is eighteen points higher than the December 2023 reading of 27. The below premium segment is one of four segments to post a higher reading in December 2024 compared to 2023.
• The FMB/seltzer reading for December 2024 at 45 is ten points higher than the December 2023 reading at 35. The FMB segment is one of four segments to post a higher reading in December 2024 compared to 2023
• Finally, the cider segment posted a December 2024 reading at 38 compared to 32 for December 2023. The cider segment is the last of four segments to post a higher reading in December 2024 compared to 2023.

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The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America's 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system. Distributors build brands of all sizes - from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world - and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 140,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.