Bell's draft list too blurry to read..

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by dwduncan2, Feb 14, 2015.

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  1. archiebunkerjr

    archiebunkerjr Pundit (910) Oct 25, 2010 Michigan
    Trader

    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.
     
  2. westlaunboy

    westlaunboy Pundit (882) Mar 31, 2010 Washington
    Trader

    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.
     
    apendecto and hopnado like this.
  3. Jmorey

    Jmorey Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2015 Michigan

    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.
     
    hopnado and RblWthACoz like this.
  4. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Might I suggest a cam for beer trade?
     
    ojgio likes this.
  5. Jmorey

    Jmorey Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2015 Michigan

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

    iatethecloudsfor Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2012 Vermont

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

    Alphateam Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2013 Michigan

    I have always hated their circa 1998 webcam. You can get one better than that at the dollar store. geez.
     
  8. Zonian1

    Zonian1 Pooh-Bah (2,296) Sep 29, 2012 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
    atone315 likes this.
  9. vette-ss

    vette-ss Zealot (737) Nov 5, 2014 Michigan
    Trader

    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!
     
  10. westlaunboy

    westlaunboy Pundit (882) Mar 31, 2010 Washington
    Trader

    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.
     
    Fargrow, PapaGoose03 and apendecto like this.
  11. Alphateam

    Alphateam Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2013 Michigan

    I'm sure it just died of old age.
     
  12. robear

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    #beerpeopleproblems

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

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    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?
     
  14. westlaunboy

    westlaunboy Pundit (882) Mar 31, 2010 Washington
    Trader

  15. DrunkAl

    DrunkAl Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2014 Illinois

    dagger stout, nice.
     
  16. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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?
     
  17. atone315

    atone315 Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2008 Wisconsin

    Pretty sure that was more than a coincidence, but so much better!!!
     
  18. dwduncan2

    dwduncan2 Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2012 Illinois

    Made the trek. Drinking a flight now. Dagger Stout is delicious. Glad I was able to make the world a better place through my complaining. :wink:
     
    skiofpinsk, landrewg and westlaunboy like this.
  19. a2rob

    a2rob Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013 Michigan

    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.
     
    BreakfastStout and PapaGoose03 like this.
  20. Chris_H_2

    Chris_H_2 Pundit (995) Jan 3, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    PapaGoose03 likes this.
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