NBWA releases Beer Purchasers’ Index for June 2018, craft goes slightly down

Just today, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers’ Index for June 2018. 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. The June 2018 Beer Purchaser’s Index at 62 for total beer is one point higher than last year’s index at 61.

“This reading indicates a level of beer orders placed by beer distributors stable to the prior year period,” said NBWA Chief Economist Lester Jones.

Looking across the segments:

• The index for imports is six points higher at 72 compared to 66 in June 2017.
• The craft index was slightly lower at 60 compared to last year’s index of 61.’
• Premium lights fell from 46 to 44, and while regular premiums held at 33, below premiums saw another increase from 35 to 38.
• The flavored malt beverage/progressive adult beverage (FMB/PAB) segment had a four-point increase to 60 from 56.
• Cider continues to show expansion in order volumes in 2018 posting an index at 46, with each new monthly cider index continuing to post higher ratings than prior months.