The BIS for December shows an index of 30, and the "at risk" inventory index of 51 marks a very pessimistic outlook until the end of January. A reading above 50 indicates that the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates that the segment is contracting.
However, the craft beer index is at 24, which is well below the December 2021 reading of 60. That is, the worst negative reading since 2015. “The industry trend has not changed much since June 2022,” the NBWA noted. "Industry buying behavior is slow and cautious in the face of changing retail demand for 2023," the report confirms.
