Supply Chain Simulation
The MIT Beer Game puts you inside a supply chain. One small demand change. Four roles reacting with incomplete information. Total chaos.
MIT idea. En Dash implementation.
The game
You manage one stage of a beer supply chain. Your only decision: how much to order each week. But delays, incomplete information, and human psychology create massive oscillations.
A small demand bump of 4 → 8 at the customer becomes a tidal wave by the factory. That's the bullwhip effect.
Play your way
🎯
Solo
Choose a role, AI handles the rest. Learn the mechanics in 10 minutes. No account needed.
👥
Multiplayer
Share a code, play with 2–4 people in real time. Password-protect your sessions.
🎓
Workshop
Facilitate a class. Control pacing, assign roles, present analytics for debrief.
See it in action
A clean interface that keeps the focus on decisions and their consequences. Every screen designed for learning.
Gameplay
Real-time supply chain at a glance.
See inventory, backlogs, and shipments across the entire chain. Your role is highlighted — place orders each week and watch the bullwhip effect unfold in real time.
Analytics & Replay
Your decisions, visualized.
After the game, dive into order amplification charts, cost breakdowns, and week-by-week replay. See exactly how a small demand bump cascaded into chaos.
Role Selection
Pick your position in the chain.
Choose any of the four roles — retailer, wholesaler, distributor, or factory. AI handles the rest. Or take the sandbox and control all four yourself.
After the game
Post-game analytics reveal how a single demand bump cascaded into massive order swings, stockouts, and over-ordering.
- Order amplification across the chain
- Inventory and backlog time series
- Cost breakdown by role
- Week-by-week replay with full visibility
What people say about the Beer Game
“The beer game demonstrates how intelligent, well-meaning people, operating in a complex system, can produce terrible results.”
“In the beer game, every player acts rationally from their own perspective, yet the system as a whole behaves irrationally. That is the core lesson of supply chain dynamics.”
Share your experience
Used the Beer Game in your classroom or team? We'd love to hear about it.
Do I need an account?+
Not to play — jump in instantly as a guest. Hosting sessions runs on a free En Dash account, which also saves your progress and keeps your sessions and results.
How long is a game?+
36 simulated weeks. Solo takes about 10 minutes.
Is this the real MIT Beer Game?+
Yes. Classic mode uses the exact same rules, costs, delays, and demand pattern.
Can I use this for teaching?+
Yes. Host a multiplayer session to control pacing, assign roles, and present analytics.
Play as a guest in 10 minutes, or create a free En Dash account to save your progress and host sessions.
Play the Beer GameRequest a demo
Want to run workshops or need a hosted setup? Drop your email.