September Beer Purchasers’ Index Stays Put

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released the Beer Purchasers' Index (BPI) for September 2025.

The September BPI reading of 28 shows little movement in both monthly and annual comparisons, rising one point from August 2025 and dropping three points from September 2024. The at-risk inventory measure fell below the benchmark (50) to 48.

This combination of index readings signals a continued contractionary state as the industry begins the fourth quarter.

Four segments (Premium Regular, Below Premium, FMB/Seltzer, Cider) saw positive year-over-year readings, the highest number of YoY increases since January. The FMB/Seltzer segment tied its fourth highest reading since 2021.

Looking across the segments for September:

• The imports index at 37 is 16-points lower than September 2024 and six points lower than August 2025.
• The craft index at 16 is five points lower than September 2024 and two points higher than August 2025.
• The premium lights index at 33 is five points lower than September 2024 and three points below August 2025.
• The premium regular index at 34 is four points higher than September 2024 and even with the August 2025 reading.
• The below premium index at 43 is eight points higher than both September 2024 and August 2025.
• The FMB/seltzer index at 43 is five points higher than September 2024 and four points above August 2025.
• The cider segment at 36 is nine points higher than September 2024 and three points below August 2025.

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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 135,000 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.