Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

Kalamazoo Beer ExchangeKalamazoo Beer Exchange
Kalamazoo Beer ExchangeKalamazoo Beer Exchange
Bar, Eatery

211 E Water St
Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007-5823
United States

(269) 532-1188 | map
kalamazoobeerexchange.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.33
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
68
pDev:
9.7%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by TheBear11D:
Photo of TheBear11D
Reviewed by TheBear11D from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
The atmosphere here is pretty standard for a bar. They have an upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs has tables if you are desiring to eat along with two bars. The downstairs has one bar, a couple pool tables and is mostly a standing area on the weekends when it is busier. If you come out on a weekend night be prepared to wait a little to get it. I do, however, believe it is worth the wait. Since I am a few minutes from the place I try to get here on a weekday when it is not quite as busy.

The food is quite delicious, but I think the food may be the slightest bit overpriced. I have had several different meals here and have yet to be disappointed.

The highlight of this place is the beer. Not only do they have a wonderful selection on draft that is rotated fairly steadily, the way the prices work makes buying your beer fun. I am a bargain hunter by nature so this especially appeals to me. Beer prices change every 15 minutes. The changes are based on if the beer is getting bought.

If a lot of people are buying a beer x during one 15 minute time block the price of beer x will go up in the following time block. If a beer is not getting purchased it will drop in price. Every beer has a base price it will not go under which varies depending on the beer, but if you are familiar enough with beer and typical prices you can drink pretty stellar beer well below the average cost of a pint at a bar if you buy at a price drop.

Occasionally, only on the weekends, there will be a market crash. They blow an air horn to signify the market has crashed. At this point all beers fall to their lowest price. Of course, everybody wants to purchase at that point, but the staff usually does an excellent job of getting all orders in.

This is a must try place for anybody who enjoys beer.
May 19, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of Pivopijak
Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington

4.51/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
In the heart of downtown. Modern, tall, glassy facade on a classic brick building. Taproom is down a half flight of stairs and room is lit by the big windows, just above. Not a big room. A fairly modern decor that is fairly dark at night. The beer exchange in the name is not just a name, but the electronic beer menu is a ticker listing of fluctuating prices, that are updated frequently and reflect the demand of the beers, the current top sellers, fetch a higher price than the recent, lower volume selling beers.i was told that there is an occasional market crash there and the prices go to a very low, even price, across the beer menu, as a market correction, then start to get back to the market driven prices. The lady serving at the bar, really knows the tap selection and is eager to recommend beers, according to customer's taste preferences. One beer that I tried was down in price and the other was flat in price and was a gift from the tender. Most beers at the time, were from the midwest and northeast. The music was really good indie rock.
Oct 29, 2021
 
Rated: 3.94 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Oct 11, 2020
 
Rated: 4.29 by Lazhal from Michigan

Aug 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.99 by HardyA from Michigan

Apr 15, 2018
Photo of Dactrius
Reviewed by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

4.29/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
While cool in theory, the changing beer prices are actually pretty annoying. I don't like anything which makes me want to wait to order a beer. Food was good, tasty sandwich and exceptionally good friends. Service was weirdly friendly (my waitress's hard core eye contact and smile is still freaking me out a bit). That said, the beer selection was good enough that I'd definitely go back (and it's not like Kzoo is hurting for options).
Jun 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.55 by JLW from Michigan

May 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.58 by BretMC987 from Indiana

May 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by SMH_NWI from Texas

Mar 02, 2016
Photo of a_beckman25
Rated by a_beckman25 from Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Great place. Awesome selection, very well kept , great food.
Dec 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by Sgtgroath from Michigan

Dec 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.98 by Robdiesel21 from Michigan

Sep 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by JArt from Pennsylvania

Jul 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.31 by DavidRandall from Michigan

May 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.84 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

May 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.48 by Monkeyknife from Missouri

Apr 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.15 by mickmanhattan from Indiana

Apr 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by BDeibs from Colorado

Mar 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by lemmy187 from Missouri

Mar 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.41 by gratefulbeerhead from Indiana

Feb 16, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by Davit from California

Jan 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by Inglewood from Illinois

Jan 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.29 by italianstallion from Wisconsin

Dec 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by tommy5 from Michigan

Dec 14, 2014
 
 
Rated: 4 by t2grogan from Arizona

Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by leprechaunandfatman from Ohio

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by BeerExchange from Michigan

Sep 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Flabbyjandro from Illinois

Sep 14, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by BrettRybski from Michigan

Sep 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by swtchuck from Michigan

Aug 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.04 by poormishi from Illinois

Aug 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by westlaunboy from Washington

Aug 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by styleisking from Michigan

Jul 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Dicers from California

Jul 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by William_B from Michigan

Jul 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by BBlov

Jul 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by deakin from Michigan

Jul 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by kenny400m from Michigan

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Hrodebert from Michigan

Jul 24, 2014
Kalamazoo Beer Exchange in Kalamazoo, MI
Place rating: 4.33 out of 5 with 68 ratings