September BPI Steady, Tops Prior 2 Years

The National Beer Wholesalers Association's Beer Purchasers' Index rose 11 points a year ago to 39 in September while dipping one point from August.

Coupled with a relatively higher At-Risk Inventory reading of 54, the results place the beer industry in a contractionary position heading into the fall.

Compared to September 2025, all segments recorded higher year-over-year readings, led by Below Premium at 46. All segments except Premium Lights stayed even or improved from August 2026.

Looking across the segments for September:

• The below premium index at 46 is three points higher than September 2025 and six points higher than August 2026.
• The cider segment at 44 is eight points higher than September 2025 and flat with August 2026. 
• The FMB/seltzer index at 44 is one point higher than September 2025 and two points higher than August 2026.
• The imports index at 40 is three points higher than September 2025 and even with August 2026.
• The premium lights index at 39 is six points higher than September 2025 and one point lower than August 2026.
• The premium regular index at 35 is one point higher than September 2025 and four points higher than August 2026.
• The craft index at 23 is seven points higher than both September 2025 and August 2026.