Facilitating the Beer Distribution Game

Learn how to facilitate our free beer distribution game, for small and large groups.

The Beer Distribution Game was invented at MIT in the 1950s to illustrate how difficult it is to manage dynamic systems - in this case, a supply chain that delivers beer from a brewery to consumers.

It was originally designed as a board game. We digitized the game in 2014, and since 2021 it can also be played in a multigame mode with up to 64 players - last year it was played nearly 40,000 times.

The game is ideal to illustrate the complexity of suppl chain management, the bull whip effect and the necessity of good supply chain forecasts. It can be explained and played in a short time - 60 minutes is enough for an introductory session.

Who is this event for?

Anyone involved in supply chain management.

The event will take place online, free of charge.