CPI: Bev-Alc Away from Home Continues to Outpace Overall Inflation, Led by Spirits

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for beverage-alcohol away from home continued to outpace overall inflation through the first three months of 2025, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The CPI for all items increased 2.4% year-over-year (YoY) in March, and 0.2% versus February. When seasonally adjusted, inflation declined 0.1% month-over-month (MoM).

The CPI for total bev-alc was below inflation, increasing 1.9% YoY and 0.2% MoM. However, price increases for bev-alc away from home outpaced total inflation, increasing 3.2% YoY and 0.5% MoM (+0.1% MoM when seasonally adjusted).

Within bev-alc, spirits recorded the largest YoY CPI increase for purchases away from home, increasing 4.3% YoY and 1.5% MoM (flat MoM when seasonally adjusted). Beer recorded the second largest increase (+2.9% YoY, +0.3% MoM and flat MoM when seasonally adjusted). Wine away from home increased 1.6% YoY and 0.1% MoM (+0.2% MoM when seasonally adjusted).

Bev-alc at home is a different story, with industry price increases falling below overall inflation. The CPI for total bev-alc at home increased 0.9% YoY and 0.3 MoM (seasonally adjusted and unadjusted).

Across bev-alc categories, beer continues to lead CPI increases at home: +1.8% YoY, +0.6% MoM (flat MoM when seasonally adjusted). Wine at home increased 0.4% YoY and MoM (+0.2% MoM when seasonally adjusted), while spirits at home increased 0.3% YoY and declined 0.4% MoM (+1.1% MoM when seasonally adjusted).

Looking at scan data, the average case price for beer increased by $0.53 YoY, to $31.02, in Circana-tracked off-premise channels for the four-week period ending March 23.

Every beer segment recorded YoY price increases in the L4W, except for domestic super premium, which lowered prices by an average of $0.08 per case, to $30.78.

All other beer segments recorded YoY price raises: