On-premise beer sales had a positive weekend, as rate of sale (ROS) increased +6.7% nationally January 27-30 compared to the prior period (Jan 6-9), according to draft beer data firm BeerBoard.
Prior to the latest report, ROS had declined in three of the four previous reports. The latest growth was led by Florida (+14.7%), New York (+14.7%) and Georgia (+14.6%). Nationally, ROS increased +93.6% year-over-year compared to the same weekend in 2021.
Volume (+14.7%) also increased nationally over the weekend compared to the previous period, after two consecutive periods of decline. All 10 tracked states reported double-digit growth compared to the previous weekend, led by Illinois (+24.2%), Georgia (+23.7%) and Florida (+21.2%). Compared to the same weekend in 2021, volume increased +24.9% nationally. Nine of the 10 tracked states increased volume year-over-year compared to the same weekend in 2021, with the exception of Tennessee (-1.5%).
Additionally, the open rate for on-premise establishments pouring beer reached 90% during the period. In the previous period (January 6-9), the open rate (89%) fell below 90% for the first time in nearly a year, the last time being the 85% open rate recorded in mid-January 2021.
While the average number of taps increased +5.6% nationally to 19 taps per location, the percentage of taps pouring dropped -2.7% to 72%, declining for the second consecutive period. Nine of the 10 tracked states decreased the percentage of taps pouring compared to the period before, with the exception of Nevada (+1.3%).
Nine of the 10 states increased the average number of taps per location over the period, with the exception of Minnesota, which remained flat at 21 taps. All 10 states recorded averages about the same weekend in 2021, led by Minnesota (+425%), Illinois (+325%) and Michigan (+300%). Nationally, the average number of taps per location increased +26.7% year-over-year.
The top five beer styles remained unchanged over the period, ranked (in order): light lager, lagers, IPA, Belgian wit/white ale, and European ales.
NBWA: Wholesaler Purchasing Contracts for First Time Since April 2020
The National Beer Wholesalers Assocation’s (NBWA’s) latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) in January 2022 fell below 50 for the first time since April 2020, posting a reading of 46, indicating that beer wholesalers were conservative with beer category orders last month.
A BPI reading greater than 50 indicates a segment is expanding, while one below 50 indicates a segment is contracting.
The total beer reading, as well as an at-risk inventory reading of 58 for the month, is indicative of beer buying returning to pre-pandemic levels and patterns of “excess inventory and relatively lower ordering,” according to the NBWA.
The latest report is also the first time at-risk inventories have recorded a reading above 50 since April 2020.
Imports were the only segment to expand during the month, with a reading of 71, increasing 12 points compared to January 2021 (59).
The FMB/seltzer segment continued to contract significantly, with a reading of 39. The latest BPI for the segment is a stark contrast to January 2021, when FMB/seltzer segment posted a reading of 90 as wholesalers built their inventories early in the year.
Premium lights contracted for the first time since March 2021, with a reading of 46. Premium regulars posted a reading of 30 – an 18 point decrease year-over-year compared to January 2021 (48) – while the below premium segment fell seven points year-over-year to 38.
Cider continued to contract the most, with a reading of 28, decreasing seven points year-over-year compared to a reading of 35 in January 2021.