• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • About Craft Brewing Business

Craft Brewing Business

Professional Insight, Unfiltered

Craft Brewing Business Craft Brewing Business
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment & Systems
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • COVID-19

NBWA releases October Beer Purchasers’ Index, craft beer and seltzer continue to sink

November 8, 2021Pretty Much a Press Release

These need good homes.

Last week, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for October 2021. The October 2021 reading continues to reflect the recent trends that resemble the industry pre-pandemic, where a mid-50’s reading was typical for this time of year. However, the component segments of the index continue to show very different trends. Most importantly, the FMB/seltzer BPI reading took yet another dramatic hit, falling to an unprecedented 42 in October 2021 from 92 in October 2020. Imports and premium lights both reported expansionary (50+) readings this month.

The “at-risk” inventory measures for October across most segments remain below 50, signaling continued supply constraints in the industry. The exceptions are the FMB/seltzer (59) and craft (51) segments, which are experiencing expanding “at-risk” inventories heading into November.

About NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index: BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for distributors to measure expected beer demand. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to previous years. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.

Looking across the segments for October:

  • The index for imports continued into expansion territory with a reading of 69 in October 2021, which is about the same as the reading in October 2020.
  • The craft index posted a reading of 43 for October 2021, compared to a reading of 51 in October 2020. This is the second monthly reading below 50.
  • The premium lights index posted a reading of 52 for October 2021, well below the October 2020 reading of 67. Premium lights continue to post index readings at or above the 50 mark in 2021.
  • The regular domestic beer segment index posted a reading of 42 for October 2021, which is significantly below the October 2020 reading of 53.
  • The below premium segment weighed in at 30, taking another significant hit from last October’s reading of 48.
  • The FMB/seltzer segment continued to see significant declines this summer. This segment took another big hit, falling 48 points from 92 in October 2020 to 44 in October 2021.
  • Finally, the cider segment remained below 50, with a reading of 29 in October 2021, compared to 44 in October 2020.
Craft sales continue to struggle in 2023, NBWA March Beer Purchasers’ Index confirms
NBWA releases September Beer Purchasers’ Index (craft, seltzer and cider struggle)
drinking beer at a bar friends toast lots of beer-001
NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index for December 2021 shows craft beer’s expansion and seltzer’s continued contraction
People Moves: Dry Dock hires a new sales director, Ecliptic Brewing an executive chef and other important appointments from NBWA to BarthHaas

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • Blue Moon plans limited run under its original name, Bellyslide Wit, coinciding with baseball season
  • Craft sales continue to struggle in 2023, NBWA March Beer Purchasers’ Index confirms
  • Sockeye Brewing’s new Alehouse has one of Boise’s largest outdoor patios + a 9-hole putting course
  • Distribution update: pFriem Family Brewers goes to LA + news from Wiseacre, Anderson Valley, FÜL and more

Sign up for our newsletter

unsubscribe from list

Most Popular Today

Recent Features

  • Craft sales continue to struggle in 2023, NBWA March Beer Purchasers’ Index confirms
    March 30, 2023
  • Distribution update: pFriem Family Brewers goes to LA + news from Wiseacre, Anderson Valley, FÜL and more
    March 29, 2023
  • Watch how White Labs’ WLP077 Tropicale yeast intensifies fruity flavors in hop compounds
    March 29, 2023
  • Boston’s Dorchester Brewing and Yakima Chief Hops team up to offer contract breweries discounts on hops
    March 28, 2023
  • 10 craft beer variety packs that have us excited to try new beer
    March 27, 2023
  • Take a look at Jack’s Abby’s renovated Beer Hall and its sweet new Tradition Meets Tech pilot system
    March 27, 2023

Footer

  • Email Newsletter Sign Up
  • About Craft Brewing Business
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on Craft Brewing Business
  • Media Kit Download
  • Privacy and Terms

© 2023 · CBB Media LLC