The beer industry received a reality check Friday that summer is truly over, thanks to the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). 

Ahead of Labor Day weekend, the trade group released the August Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI), with record-low readings for total beer as wholesalers pull back from nearly every beer segment. In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are diving into segment performances and how the latest figures compare to historical trends.

Brewbound Insiders are also getting more details from Sierra Nevada’s distributor meeting and 2026 plans, including why the brewery is continuing its commitment to craft beer, and learning why Constellation Brands has lowered in full-year guidance after doubling down on its projections earlier this year. 

Also in today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter, Insiders are learning new vocab from Brewers Association CEO Bart Watson to describe recent “premiumization” trends.

Insiders also have access to the Brewbound Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content.

Become a Brewbound Insider today!

Or, be in the know on all food and beverage news from Brewbound, BevNET and NOSH with Insider All Access.

It appears beer wholesalers are not very optimistic for an end-of-summer boost in sales, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).

Every beer segment was in contraction – a.k.a. posted a BPI reading below 50 – in August, with wholesalers pulling back ordering from all areas of beer. Total beer posted a BPI reading of 27, marking the category’s lowest BPI to date and a 13-point drop from August 2024.

Insiders can read details on all other segments’ performances, and how they compare to August 2024 and July 2025.

Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA) is committed to craft brewing. 

Not that there was any doubt that the family-owned brewery is all in on craft beer, despite a downturn in the segment’s trends. But Sierra Nevada leaders quashed any concerns during last week’s distributor meeting, affirming their commitment to craft beer, bringing consumers back to the segment and reversing negative market trends. 

Insiders can read details on Sierra Nevada's core priorities and why company leadership believes they’re providing solutions to craft’s challenges.

Two months after reporting a down Q1, Constellation Brands downgraded its guidance for fiscal year 2026, according to a press release issued today. 

Projected net sales growth for Constellation’s beer division (Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, Victoria) has been shifted to -4% to -2%, down from flat to +3%. Projected beer operating income sank from growth (flat to +2%) to -9% to -7%, due to “impact from lower volumes, operating deleveraging and additional tariffs.”

Insiders can read more about the drivers behind changes to Constellation’s guidance and the company’s recent scan data performance. 

The Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference will take place in Boston over the next few days. Look out for coverage of any notable comments from big beer leaders, including Molson Coors and Constellation Brands. 

Later in the week, the Beer Institute (BI) will release its latest economic reports, with July domestic tax paids, state shipments and imports figures. We’ll learn if the industry was able to sustain momentum built in June, which was the industry’s strongest month so far this year (total supply -0.5% YoY).  

And on this week’s Brewbound Podcast, Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata talks with Columbia Distributing president and CEO Chris Steffanci and 2 former members of the wholesalers’ Beer Careers Program, Chris Watzig (2015 cohort) and Rebecca Logan (2025 cohort). 

The group chats about the creation of the 10-week paid internship program – which introduces participating students to all elements of Columbia’s business and operations – why the company believes it's important to invest in career development programs, and what beer can learn from the emerging Gen Z workforce. 

Look for the episode midweek on Brewbound.com and on your podcast platforms of choice.

Tilray Brands is no longer at risk of being delisted on the Nasdaq after achieving 10 consecutive days of a stock price of $1 or more. Brewbound Insider’s Week in Beer newsletter writer Sean McNulty toasts the cannabis and craft beer firm in his latest weekend recap of last week’s beer biz news. 

Catch up on all of the headlines, as well as the THC creep into shelf sets, Guinness’ production expansion in Ireland and Sierra Nevada’s 2026 strategy. 

Knocked out early last week? We can’t blame you.

The news didn’t stop though. Here are the Friday headlines you may have missed:

• Circana: Imports and Hard Cider Lead Improved Beer Trends; FMBs Only Segment With Downward Trajectory
• Can Soju RTDs Ride The Korean Wave Into The Mainstream?
• PepsiCo Taps Celsius As ‘Strategic Energy Lead,’ Backed By $585M Investment
• Gold Bar Whiskey Drafts Joe Montana for 49ers-Themed RTD Launch

Plus, check out the most recent Press Clips, with all the newsletter-exclusive items from all of last week’s Brewbound Insider Newsletters:

• Trade Groups React to Revocation of Order on Competition; Gallup Survey Results ‘Not Unprecedented,’ per NBWA’s Lester Jones (newsletter items August 25-26)
• Redhook Founder Gordon Bowker Dies at 82; Tilray Escapes Delisting (newsletter items August 27-29)

Brewbound Live, our annual business conference for beverage-alcohol professionals returns to Marina del Rey, California, on December 10 and 11.

Tickets are available now for the 2-day gathering of founders, entrepreneurs, c-suite executives, retailers, distributors and suppliers from across the industry. The event will include on-stage conversations with industry leaders, networking and pre-arranged one-to-one conversations with retailers and distributors.

Brewbound is excited to announce the following speakers for the event:

• Sophia D’Angelo, founder and CEO, Boston Experiential Group;
• Kaleigh Theriault, director of bev-alc thought leadership, NIQ;
• Andrew Hummel, director bev-alc vertical, CGA;
• Rosalie Kennedy, director of marketing, Athletic Brewing;
• Sam Hendler, co-founder and CEO, Hendler Family Brewing;
• Bourcard Nesin, analyst – beverages, Rabobank;
• Jon Halper, owner and CEO, Top Ten Liquors;
• Nick Firestone, CEO, Firestone Walker.

Bev-alc companies will also have the opportunity to book one-to-one conversations with Whole Foods Market, Breakthru Beverage California and California Beverage Solution members Sunset Distributing and Heimark Distributing. 

Register for Brewbound Live LA 2025 >>

Brewbound Live is presented by Powered by Sorse, Fast Track Packaging, Strike Visuals, John I. Haas, Can-One, and Tripleseat Software LLC. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those seeking to elevate their presence beyond participation.

Craving more? 👉 See what Insider members get access to.

Have feedback? 📝 Take the Survey Now >>

Want to share news or tips? ✉️ Submit a press release or reach out to news@brewbound.com.

Interested in other beverage coverage? 👀 Check out the BevNET Daily Briefing covering the broader beverage industry, including energy drinks, cannabis and other non-alcoholic beverages. Want to stick to the hard stuff? Subscribe to our Spirits Newsletter (published every 2 weeks). 

We'll be back in your inbox tomorrow.