Its has been played all over the world by thousands of people ranging from high school students to chief executive officers and government officials. Of course, there is no beer in the beer game, and the game does not promote drinking. Originally the 'production-distribution game', most students are more excited about producing beer than widgets or toasters. When played in, say, high schools, it easily becomes the apple juice game. One or two people manage each sector.
Pennies stand for cases of beer.
A deck of cards represents customer demand. Each simulated week, customers purchase from the retailer, who ships the beer requested out of inventory. The retailer in turn orders from the wholesaler, who ships the beer requested out of their own inventory. Likewise the wholesaler orders and receives beer from the distributor, who in turn orders and receives beer from the factory, where the beer is brewed. At each stage there are shipping delays and order processing delays.