The May 2017 Beer Purchasers' Index for total beer at 60.8 saw a moderate increase from the April 2017 reading of 58.9. Also encouraging was that the May 2017 reading was higher than the May 2016 reading of 53.3. The index for total beer remained above the 50 mark for two out of the past five months so far this year. However, the index for "at risk inventory" rose slightly, hitting the 50 mark compared to the April reading of 48.5. 

The BPI survey asks purchasers at beer distributorships if they ordered more beer. , about the same or less beer from their suppliers in the current month. The results are reported as a composite diffusion index where a reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, and a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting. Full BPI results covering all industry segments over time are available to participating NBWA distributor members. The survey window to collect responses is relatively short (about 10 days) and survey results are typically published to participants within 24 hours after the survey closes. 

Participating NBWA distributor members also get the first look at a measure of "at risk" inventories by segment - at risk measures the volume of beer considered to be at risk of going out of code within the next 30 days.

The next BPI survey (for April purchases) will run from June 12  through June 19, and results will be released to participating distributors on June 19.