Beer Industry January 2026: US Wholesaler Index Surges, Constellation Stabilizes Amid Craft Trends and Global Shifts
The US beer market showed early signs of recovery in January 2026, with the **Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI)** hitting its highest reading since July 2025, up 14 points from December (National Beer Wholesalers Association, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/press-release/january-bpi-sees-significant-bump-from-december/). All segments except cider posted gains, signaling distributor optimism for demand ahead.
NBWA BPI Highlights Segment Momentum
**Premium regular** scored 38, seven points below January 2025 but 14 points above December 2025 (National Beer Wholesalers Association, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/press-release/january-bpi-sees-significant-bump-from-december/). **Below premium** reached 50—its first such mark in over a year—six points under last January but 10 points over December (National Beer Wholesalers Association, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/press-release/january-bpi-sees-significant-bump-from-december/). **FMB/seltzer** hit 43, down three from January 2025 yet up 12 from December, while **cider** fell to 42, up 11 year-over-year but down two monthly (National Beer Wholesalers Association, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/press-release/january-bpi-sees-significant-bump-from-december/). Readings above 50 indicate expansion for distributors tracking purchases against prior years.
Constellation Brands Posts Strong Q3 on Beer Stability
Constellation Brands exceeded forecasts in its third quarter, with **beer sales declining just 1%**—an improvement from 7% in the prior quarter (The Drinks Business, January 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/). Shares rose 3% despite 2025 losses, as Modelo Especial and Corona demand softened from Trump’s 50% aluminum tariffs—impacting 41% of packaging—and Hispanic consumer shifts (The Drinks Business, January 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/). Commodity brands like Pacifico and Corona Familiar gained amid budget pressures. CEO Bill Newlands noted beer **dollar and volume share gains** in tracked channels (The Drinks Business, January 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/). Full-year beer sales forecast holds at a 2-4% drop.
Craft Beer Navigates Trends Toward Value and Low-ABV
Craft brewers eye **low- and no-ABV** options as nearly half of Americans cut drinking in 2026, alongside **hyper-localization** using regional ingredients (Tastewise, 2026, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends). **Lagers and pilsners** regain favor for drinkability, with craft embracing **value** via affordable lagers amid inflation (American Craft Beer, January 20, 2026, https://www.americancraftbeer.com/8-beer-industry-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2026/). Premiumization diversifies lagers, while **non-alcoholic mandates** grow; hyper-local small breweries expand despite regional struggles (Backbar Academy, 2026, https://academy.getbackbar.com/2026-beer-trends).
Global Pressures Hit Barley, Boost Non-Alc Plays
Falling global beer demand pressures Australian malt barley growers, with US and Europe leading declines while Asia holds steady; weaker 2026 growth adds strain (CommBank, January 27, 2026, https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2026/01/how-global-beer-trends-are-affecting-australian-barley.html). Cawston Press entered non-alcoholic beer via LOAH acquisition, tapping moderation trends (Wholesale Manager, January 27, 2026, https://wholesalemanager.co.uk/cawston-press-expands-into-non-alcoholic-beer-category-with-acquisition-of-loah/). Brewers Association released **2026 Beer Style Guidelines**, adding Rice Lager and updating Belgian/German styles (Brewers Association, 2026, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2026-beer-style-guidelines-now-available/).