Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

Awesome experience. The wait may be a bit long but it was worth it. I totally love the food, the drinks and the concept of the beer exchange

So after work, an old friend and I decided to meet up at the Beer Exchange. We sat upstairs at the bar and our bartender was FANTASTIC! She definitely knew the back story on every beer which was great to hear. She even recommended a few beers that were trending with my order history… AMAZING! I’ll definitely be back here again, the Beer Exchange is grade A.

This has to be the most unique beer establishment I’ve ever been to.
The concept is super fun and always keeps things exciting. The Beer is very reasonably priced and I’ve always enjoyed the food. I’m sure that this is not the only establishment with the concept in the world, but I have yet to visit one elsewhere. I feel that this is a staple of Kalamazoo that has come to be known as one of the places to visit when you come. It is a regular spot for me when I return to my hometown for any reason and I love to bring outsiders here when giving them a taste of Kalamazoo.
The concept helps you to explore new beers at a cheap price but still have the option to choose your favorite beers. Even when the prices are up higher, they are still reasonably priced. When the stock market «crashes», all of the beers are at the all time low for the night and you are able to choose your favorite at the cheapest possible price.
The interior is spacious and provides different atmospheres between the upstairs and the downstairs. The downstairs is more of a louder, social area with pool tables and lots of standing room. The upstairs is a bit quieter with many tables. The stock market screens are placed strategically around the restaurant.
I’ve always had great experiences here and will continue to frequent it during my Kalamazoo visits.

Cool concept, good beer selection, but the food is just so-​so.
The stock price thing is undeniably cool and unique. I have never been to nor heard of anywhere else that does that.
The beers are really solid too. There are so many options to choose from. I split four flights with my girlfriend, and even after sampling 16 beers, there were plenty more on the menu we wanted to try. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here racking up Untappd badges, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Unfortunately though, the food was mediocre. The onion rings were cool. They are ginormous, and I would definitely recommend ordering some with your beers.
However, the burgers will leave you feeling like your parents on your report card day: not mad, just disappointed. The burgers here are flavorless and unexpectedly bland. Definitely below average for what you would expect from a bar like this one.
Ultimately, if you are a non-​drinker who only plans on eating dinner here: this is a two-​star kind of place, based on the burgers.
However, as a beer-​drinking and appetizer-​munching (for real, get the onion rings) spot, I could see this place getting four stars.

The concept of fluctuating beer prices and market crashes to get all beers at their lowest price is super cool, and going here made me wish that it was being implemented at all bars! All of their beers are super good and the selection varies so much that there’s something for everyone. Wish I would’ve tried one of their cocktails so I could speak to those as well. Food was good, nothing super impressive. You do get a lot for the price which is always great. We went on a Saturday night so there was a bit of a wait, but they had a few pinball machines so we didn’t mind. Definitely a place worth checking out if you’re in Kzoo.

Amazing beer selection and LOVE the fun of the stock exchange pricing of the beers based on supply/​demand. Plus– the food is reliably delicious and up to even the toughest foodie standards. Staff is always friendly and accommodating and knowledgeable about the beer selections and good at recommendations from what’s on tap. With all the new breweries in kzoo I still find myself coming back here — you can’t beat it.

This is one of the greatest places on Earth. If they were to open one of these spots in LA, it would be packed all the time. If I had business contacts, or a rich friend willing to invest, or a hair up my butt, I’d open up a Beer Exchange here in LA. Guaranteed hit. Guaranteed place I’d be at every night. Not so much as a part owner, but because it’s the place you want to be.
Screens above the bar and around the tables post the beer prices. The prices change every fifteen minutes so the pint you just had could be going up in price, or better yet, down in price. Not all beers are on the move. Some stay right where they are. A beer you may not usually drink could be at a rock bottom price, $ 2.50 a pint, and you may try and like it. Or hate it. But who cares, it was only $ 2.50. Choke the crap down. But maybe, just maybe, a tulip of Alpine «Pure Hoppiness» that you recently paid 8 bucks for in LA is on tap for the crash. What is the crash, you say? Like a stock market, a few times through the night the market crashes and so do the beer prices. I bought that Alpine beer for 3 bucks. I bought 3 for me, 2 for my buddy, and 1 for a guy I’ve just met but I wanted him to try it. 6 beers, 6 pours of one of my favorite beers that in LA, I would pay 48 dollars for, instead it cost me 18 at the beer exchange. Needless to say, we were there on multiple occasions for many beers and a handful of market crashes. Amazing place and a lot of fun.
If you’re reading this and you are some type of management, the girls downstairs at the bar are amazing. Fun, happy, and great at what they do. If you are reading this and are not related to the joint, go downstairs, the bartenders are great.
Upstairs has a nice restaurant, plus the beer. We didn’t make it up there but after the good times we had downstairs, I’m sure the food is good. Who am I kidding? Food could be mediocre and I’d still be there five nights a week. Please come to LA, Beer Exchange!

What a blast! The beer ‘stock exchange’ board board updates every 15 minutes with new prices and occasionally has a market crash. The beer list is extensive and varied, and the pub food is above average. Really cool two story layout with an open kitchen and plenty of TVs to watch the game. I’ll be back!

Worst experience ever here.
Waited twenty minutes only to find out they didn’t even start making my French onion soup yet.
No one even cared.

Obviously if you like beer this is a great choice for you. But they also have great cocktails. The basil cucumber gin martini is one of the best I’ve ever tried. Food is always excellent here, the macaroni and cheese is so good it will make you cry. I usually always get their salmon.

This had to be one of the coolest places I’ve been too. Love the idea of the stock market crashing which means the beet prices goes Down to the lowest price. I don’t even drink beer but that cool. The food was good too. Had the sausage and kale pasta awesome. Good place to try out in Kalamazoo.

I cannot say enough about this place. On the weekends, you’ll have to wait for a table for dinner. But you get to wait at one of the greatest bars in downtown Kalamazoo.
The food is unique and special. All of the appetizers are a great bar snack.

The concept of this place is super cool. They have about 30 beers on tap at a time, which are listed on a large board. The beer prices change every 15 minutes based on purchases (kinda like stock prices go up and down based on purchases). The taps can also rotate out when at that 15minute price change. Then there is always a «crash» at least once a night. This is when the beer market crashes and all of the beer prices are lowered for 5 minutes. It’s pretty cool and fun when it happens.
The negative is that I have been here twice and never hit the crash correctly. The first time, the crash happened when we were leaving. The second time we had just had our final beers delivers and the crash happened. Ugh! I guess that’s the way the exchange works!
Now for the food. It’s ok, not fantastic. The margarita pizza app is kinda bland. The chili cheese fries were bomb! The Piedmont burger was kinda dry and flavorless. The chicken skewers were really good. The meatloaf was ok, it was served with mashed potatoes peas and carrots (the carrots were almost raw, not soft at all).
I realize the draw here is the beer, but having a killer menu would make this place off the charts. For now, 4 stars.

Beer selection is on point. Like the concept of the rising and falling beer prices. The facility itself is gorgeous. Unfortunately the food blows. Mediocre. Watched food sit on the order counter for 15 min plus. Had a bacon wrap — schwagg bacon and none of the ingredients listed in the menu were in the wrap. Just go here for beers and pinball. Thanks!

Excellent ! In every sense of the word .
Great beer selection and the food is awesome .
Great service and beautiful views of the city. I would definitely be back here again :)

Cool concept for a restaurant/​bar! We came on a late weekend night for some drinks and it took a few minutes to fully grasp the concept. The bartenders were nice and helpful with making selections, we ended up choosing a raspberry ale that was incredibly sweet but helped us sip slowly through a few rounds of the stock market. It was pretty busy and loud with a bit of a younger crowd but it didn’t discourage or look down on older folks. We had already eaten dinner but the snacks and food of other patrons got my mouth watering a bit. I wouldn’t be upset about coming back earlier in the day to enjoy drinks and dinner and to be able to walk around a bit more freely!

What a cool bar!!! We came here after it was referred to as a friend, and were so glad we did. There were eight parties ahead of us, so we decided to forgo the table and went downstairs to the bar and luckily found two seats. Our server was FANTASTIC!!! Kayle — we’ve never had better service at a bar, thank you!!! If you’re in the area, definitely stop by even if just for a few drinks. Totally worth it!
We were here moreso just to check it out and didn’t plan to stay long. Overall, it’s just a super neat place. I was impressed with how low the prices were even when the market was «up» — at most, the Miller Lite was $ 3, which we’d be hard pressed to find anywhere — and at times it was as low as $ 1.75! We both enjoyed a drink and then closed out, but while finishing drinks, the market crashed — so cool! Our server was there in seconds, asking us if we wanted anything — apologizing because she knew we had closed out, but wanted to ask. It was packed and was a Saturday night — I’ve heard that it isn’t as crazy during the week.
I’m only docking a star because a few of our drinks ended up costing a bit more than when we had ordered them. I know it can be hard to place an order right away so I understand, and a few quarters weren’t going to have us complain — but still wanted to point that out.

I ordered a beer made right down the road! It’s called «Whoppy» made by One Well Brewing Co., KZoo, MI. It’s a wheat ale with 5.5% abv. A good local brew. Support the locals and have a glass or four!
The Wisconsin Beer Cheese soup was excellent. It’s what any beer cheese soup should be while many are not. Very flavorful.
My entrée was the Smoked Bacon Apple Pork Chops and they were delicious. Served with string beans and hash browns, the pork was juicy and complimented with the baked apple slices and bacon. To put the chops over the top, they should be bone-​in, not the «tenderloin» style so common in many restaurants.
Downstairs is dark and divey… pinball machines, e-​dart board, pub atmosphere. Upstairs is more contemporary, bright, with wood décor and earth tone colors; more of the restaurant setting.
Beer Exchange — prices of draughts change every 15 minutes based on sales of the previous 15 minutes. The fun experience started at 6pm for my visit. I’m not sure when the «market opens» on other nights. They even ring a bell at the open!
I enjoyed watching the board for price changes. Very clever!

For scores and several stock market crash beers ago, I remember word of KBE’s grand opening spreading all the way to the east side of MI where I lived at the time… I think it got so much attention because it’s such a unique concept for a bar. So no doubt it was one of the first bars I wanted to go to when I moved to Kalamazoo.
Right in the heart of downtown you’ll find this two story bustling bar driving in more beer drinkers than I’ve ever seen crammed in one place on a Saturday night. The idea is that the vast brew list is constantly on real-​time sales, much like the stock market. Occasionally, the market «crashes» and prices plummet, getting even the most calm and collective of beer connoisseurs into a buyers rush.
During the day, it seems KBE is much calmer and the market crashing is less frequent, but you’ll usually still find a good beer for the right price. During the evening, things get a little more intense; the downstairs tends to be far more active while the upstairs maintains a mellow feel that’s food focused (there is still a very nice bar upstairs)! Mind you, the downstairs is a much smaller space and the societal notion of your «personal bubble» doesn’t really exist. However, I find that it ultimately enhances the stock market style bar.
The food is excellent; their menu ranges from casual bar foods to a juicy steak or a fresh salmon filet. Portion size is moderate.
A few frequent flyer tips–
Cyclists: there is no bike rack nearby, pick a tree, any tree.
Pool sharks: claim a spot on the ledge near the pool tables for your beer! Otherwise, I hope you like playing one handed.

I’ve been staring at this bookmark for about 2 months now trying to figure out how to write a value added review. The previous Unilocalsters led me to this wonderful establishment with their well crafted reviews, so its hard to think of something that hasn’t been mentioned. So, I’m going to keep this one short and concise.
Service: During my 2 visits here, we were able to quickly seat ourselves at the bar. The bar service for both food and drink was top notch on both occasions.
Food: If you fancy red meat but prefer a more rare, lean cut, like I do, you will definitely enjoy the Piedmontese beef burger. It came out lean and perfectly cooked medium rare. It is an ultra lean beef that comes from a rare cow. It is very similar to Bison meat. My only complaint is that they only have 1 bun type: brioche. Which I loathe.
Beer: Obviously, this is the focal point of this establishment. If you have the time, make sure to hang around for a stock market crash. The crew takes constant orders for the 5 minute crash and then starts serving up the discounted brew. During the normal 15 minute market increments, its fun to decide whether you’ll be able to finish your beer and make a decision before the prices change.
If you are in Kalamazoo, make sure to make a visit to this fine establishment. You won’t regret it.