Craft beer index flat to end 2024, ciders and seltzers both rise

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) reported a “slightly cautious outlook” for distributor sentiment at the end of 2024 based on similar readings for at-risk inventory and the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) — both at 48 — for December 2024. This BPI reading of 48 reflects a four-point recovery from last year’s reading of 44. The craft beer segment, though, continues to trend toward contraction.

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.

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.

Beer purchasing by segment

• 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.