Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

There's no state minimum on beer in the state, only liquor is state controlled. That being said they aren't allowed to sell beer below cost, but can sell it as cheap as a penny over cost

 

One of the best craft bars around. Whenever I go there I always get caught up in the "game" and end up drinking twice as many beers as planned. You can get crazy good/expensive beer for cheaper than even store prices a lot of times. I've gotten Bourbon County for $4 a snifter, and the same goes for KBS. The stock market gimmick is a great idea and always makes you buy more.

 

I'd go there, if for no other reason, the novelty concept. Of course, I'd probably find that I enjoy playing 'the game' of catching best pricing, and find myself there more than I should be!

 

OK that does establish a lower bound. A friend called it state minimum. Of course it has to be a MLCC rule.

 

Went there once for lunch, unfortunately the market wasn't running at the time. Still great food and I liked the atmosphere. I REALLY want to go for the market. Seems like a lot of fun and will help force me to expand my tastes to beers I wouldn't normally consider.

 

Are you really so close minded to this concept that you would rather leave than order a different beer if the price goes up? I rarely order the same thing twice at a beer bar and I would assume most BAs would be happy to try something new or switch it up if the price changed on what they were drinking.

 

Man I would be tearing that Nighttime up

 

agreed, that way of thinking strikes me as incredibly tightly wound.

 

There is a bar like this in Austin - The Brew Exchange. I think it's fun. I'm a guy that likes to try different beers and styles and the point of the demand is they want you to explore different styles. Of course if you only like ordering one style of beer then you'll hate the place. You can find some real steals. They also have a max price so the beers don't inflate too much. It's fun to go there on the weekends when all the bros are out ordering a Dos Equis and driving the price to $7-$8 where IPAs will be $3-$4.

 

One of my favorite stops when I'm in Kalamazoo. It's gimmicky but a lot of fun. You know people are getting excited when they ring that next bell!

 

Heading to Kalamazoo next summer, will be going here now along with Bell's.

 

Interesting..prob fun while your there.

 

It's only two blocks from Bell's, so it's easy to hit them both. Plus there are other great beer bars within walking distance that are more central to the main downtown area.

Another point that I'll make about The Beer Exchange is that I think the servers are instructed to make the rounds to every table as quickly as possible when the market does crash. The last time I was there our server was at our table within an instant.

I'll also reiterate that the market does not open until 6 o'clock each night, so if you go and want to enjoy this fun, then it has to be an evening visit.

There frequently is one real nice beer on the board to keep you watching the action, and I think it was one of the Rocheforts on tap when I was there the last time. I believe it was priced at $10 or more until the crash, then I think it went to $8. So they do get some interesting selections to keep your interest.

 

the best part about a beer bar like this is that if ur cheap, youll have a chance to try a large variety of good beers. Bees you may normally never think about getting. ill take a chance on a beer for 2.50-3.50, might even find become new favorite.

we need a bar like this here!

what i would like to know, is the bar actually making money with this process? seems more towards breaking even (but moving tons of kegs)

 

I think this adds a lot of fun to the game! As long as pricing is kept within reason

 

I really enjoyed going here (visited this bar after going to bells in kalamazoo). The stock market crash was pretty fun (beers drop in price across the board, for 5 mins, just long enough to order 1 drink)

They had a fairly good selection, and the prices while adjusting frequently didn't seem to shfit "too" much, so that you could still safely order whatever you wanted. Just a fun little gimmick to keep the experience fresh

 

I believe the way it works is, the price goes up as more people buy it. Even in Kalamazoo, with all of that great local beer available, most people prefer to drink crappy lagers.

 

I love this! Quick, somebody set up a business meeting close by.

 

In Baltimore, Smaltimore does this. It can be a great deal. I've only been there once, but they had pints of Burley Oak beer for like $3.25, and then all samples are $2 or $3 (I can't remember), plus they have specials on locals before 7 (i.e. Union Beers for $3 a pint, and they had Chessie on tap). I usually drink the stuff that isn't super-popular, so the beers I want are usually pretty cheap.

 

It is an interesting concept, it really does change how you order. To be honest, it really is a very nice bar on top of it all.

With all that said.... good luck getting a beer when the market crashes. If you go there during the school year, prepare to enter a college bar and stand all night or wait an hour or so for a table. Better taplists and better atmosphere can be found several other places in Kalamazoo. I limit my visits to early afternoons or weekdays, its just not worth it otherwise.