Bell's draft list too blurry to read..

Count me as another who would like to see a better solution. The webcam is fine. It's the chalk on the taplist board that needs an overhaul. The signage on the board works very well aesthetically. But it can be difficult reading the chalk even when you are at the bar.

I tip my hat to Bell's in that they usually have a few one-offs in their taproom. I would like to see what they are before making the 1.5 drive to Kalamazoo but they are always written in chalk. My first thought would be to replace the board with a very large screen TV. Some software could easily be designed so that an employee could update the TV with all the beers offered and their prices. This information could also feed directly into the website thereby eliminating the need for the webcam. But this would suck aesthetically. Patrons at the bar wouldn't want to look at some big obnoxious multicolored screen. Neither would the employees.

 

That's essentially what they have across the street at Beer Exchange, and it works great for them (and it's probably necessary given their M.O.), but I agree, I really wouldn't like that at Bell's, I think it would clash with with aesthetics of the place. I just looked at the image again, and I really think the best solution is a higher-res webcam. Obviously that would involve an investment, but I can't imagine it would be all that expensive, and if it solves this problem it's money well-spent.

 

It would be pretty inexpensive to get a webcam that looks better than that... I probably have 10 laying in my office.

Oddsides takes a pic of their board and throws it up online. A little more work but very readable.

 

Might I suggest a cam for beer trade?

 

I will be in their area in a couple weeks....

 

haha...thats a good title for a beer advocate site

 

I have always hated their circa 1998 webcam. You can get one better than that at the dollar store. geez.

 

Bell's is definitely worth stopping at because they always have something interesting on tap that you can't find anywhere else. Wish I could say the same about Founders.

 

So maybe that's the plan....I can't read it so it must be good so I better stop by.

While we are complaining, I kinda wish they had a better growler fill selection. Driving I94 toward Chicago...Dark Horse, Bell's, Greenbush, FFF....all easy stops. I don't have time to stop at each one for a beer in the pub (and probably shouldn't), but I do bring my empty growlers along for the road trip for a quick fill-up. I know Bell's has their fancy fill stations that keeps selection limited, but I have yet to find anything worth making a stop for a fill to bring home. The good news...at least the growler fill options are clearly ledgible on the website!

 

As of this morning, looks like Bell's has taken down the taplist webcam: http://bellsbeer.com/eccentric-cafe/beers-on-tap/
Placeholder image says "Tap Cam Temporarily Unavailable"

Coincidence, or did this thread incite a change? Stay tuned to find out, I guess, but color me excited.

 

I'm sure it just died of old age.

 

#beerpeopleproblems

Alpine had an unread-able camera for years. I think they did it on purpose though.

 

In theory, the webcam is awesome. Bars/breweries with no form of a taplist on line are loosing sales. Bells is always packed, but why even have the webcam then?

 

GUYS....

WE DID IT!

Also: Thanks, @LarryBell

 

dagger stout, nice.

 

Much better, thanks Bell's! Now I can start digging for clues as to how the BNSS is alerted when BN is in stock at the store. Thinking possibly a black band around that prop arm on the wall?

 

Pretty sure that was more than a coincidence, but so much better!!!

 

Wow, awesome.

My process has always been to try to check the draft list, be unable to read it, and just stop in for the hell of it. Now I might actually be able to drive by without buying anything thanks to this clearer image.

Ah, what am I saying? That won't happen.

 

I don't know how to imbed Twitter, so here: https://twitter.com/BellsBrewery/status/567403139301933058