October Beer Ordering Increases From September, Still Reflects Cautious Outlook

Press Release Nov 07, 2024

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

The October BPI reading of 42 is an 11-point jump from September, representing an increase in monthly ordering levels by America's beer distributors.

However, a slight year-over-year BPI decrease (from 48 in October 2023) - coupled with an at-risk inventory reading of 50 - indicates a continued downshift in distributor sentiment to a more cautious outlook. This follows a trend for the post-Covid marketplace with the past three Octobers all seeing contracting (<50) BPI readings.

Notable segment results include the first expansionary (>50) Below Premium reading in October since the BPI launched in 2014. The FMB/Seltzer reading of 38 marked a 10 point year-over-year increase.

Looking across the segments for October:

• The index for imports continues to point to expanding volumes with an October 2024 reading of 56; however, this is 11 points lower than the October 2023 reading of 67
• The craft index at 25 for October 2024 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is six points lower than the October 2023 reading at 31
• The premium lights index fell to 41 for October 2024, 12 points lower than the October 2023 reading at 53
• The premium regular index fell to 34 for October 2024, 15 points lower than the October 2023 reading at 49
• The below premium segment for October 2024 at 54 is nine points higher than the October 2023 reading of 45
• The FMB/seltzer reading for October 2024 at 38 is 10 points higher than the October 2023 reading at 28
• Finally, the cider segment posted an October 2024 reading at 29 compared to 35 for October 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.