Brew: Box Cover Front
Brew - Three player game - Credit: Piot
Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — characters (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Brew - Brews! Beasts! Bforests! - Credit: The Innocent
Brew - Controlling forests is rarely easy. - Credit: The Innocent
Brew - Potions are one of many ingredients in this, um, brew. - Credit: The Innocent
Brew - Brew delights in passing out gears. - Credit: The Innocent
Brew - Brew,  Skelling Games / Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — components on display (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — game board (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — sample cards (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  1. Brew: Box Cover Front
  2. Brew - Three player game - Credit: Piot
  3. Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — characters (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  4. Brew - Brews! Beasts! Bforests! - Credit: The Innocent
  5. Brew - Controlling forests is rarely easy. - Credit: The Innocent
  6. Brew - Potions are one of many ingredients in this, um, brew. - Credit: The Innocent
  7. Brew - Brew delights in passing out gears. - Credit: The Innocent
  8. Brew - Brew,  Skelling Games / Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  9. Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — components on display (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  10. Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — game board (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  11. Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — sample cards (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Brew Review

Brew's art enchants and components impress, though some luck elements tilt the balance. Strategy is key, making it a delightful, lively game night choice. Just beware of those dice rolls!

  • Art and Components
  • Game Mechanics and Balance
  • Player Interaction and Strategy
  • Replayability and Game Duration
4/5Overall Score

'Brew' combines beautiful art, strategic gameplay, and engaging player interaction, though luck can sometimes disrupt balance.

Specs
  • Number of players: 2 to 4
  • Playing Time: 45 to 90 minutes
  • Recommended player age: 10 and up
  • Game Type: Strategy and Dice Placement
  • Theme: Magical Forest and Potion Brewing
  • Publisher: Pandasaurus Games
  • Designer: Stevo Torres
Pros
  • Mesmerizing and vibrant artwork
  • Strategic and engaging gameplay
  • High replayability factor
  • Excellent components quality
Cons
  • Luck impact
  • Balance issues
  • Short game time
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Welcome to my review of the board game ‘Brew‘, a captivating mix of strategic planning and luck that brings magic and chaos to your tabletop. In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the art, mechanics, player interaction, and more, to help you decide if this game belongs in your collection. Let’s see if this potion-brewing adventure is worth the shelf space!

How It Plays

Setting Up

Gather your pals and start by giving each player their own board and dice. Shuffle the forest and creature cards, placing them face down. Put the potions around the table like our kitchen counter on a baking day.

Gameplay

In ‘Brew’, players roll dice to match symbols and claim the forest or concoct brilliant potions. Strategy comes in when choosing where to place your dice—on creature cards or forest cards. Just like deciding between a chocolate or vanilla cupcake—it’s always a tough choice!

Winning the Game

Once all the dice have been placed and forest cards claimed, the game concludes. Count up your points from potions brewed and forests acquired. The player with the most points is crowned the grand wizard of the brew, earning bragging rights until the next game.

Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Brew.

Art and Components Quality: A Magical Experience with Brew

When I ripped open the box of Brew, my eyes danced with delight. The artwork is nothing short of mesmerizing, like a mystical forest coming alive right there on my dining room table. The illustrations are so vibrant that they practically whisper enchanted secrets while you play. Honestly, I’ve found myself pausing mid-game just to admire the art—yes, much to my friends’ annoyance who promptly reminded me, “It’s your turn, buddy!”

Let’s chat about the components. They’re like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday morning—smooth and satisfying. The game includes hefty dice that feel substantial in your hands. Rolling them is a pleasure, even if lady luck doesn’t always smile on you. The potion tokens are both charming and durable; they survived a soda spill better than my cat does a bath.

And then there are the cards. Oh boy, the cards! They’re of sturdy quality, which is good news for someone like me, who once accidentally dunked an entire deck in chili. True story. The cards are coated in a linen finish, making them not only look great but also feel great, like flipping through pages of a spellbook.

To wrap it all up, Brew’s art and components elevate the entire gaming experience. I felt like an apprentice in an enchanted world, guided by the artwork and quality materials. Now, with the table set, let’s embark on a journey into the magical realm of game mechanics and balance, where things can sometimes tip in unexpected ways.

Brew - Three player game - Credit: Piot

Game Mechanics and Balance in ‘Brew’

Ever sat down for a game of ‘Brew’ and found yourself wondering if you were actually brewing potions or just causing chaos in a mystical forest? Well, that’s exactly what makes ‘Brew’ a brew-tiful mix of chaos and strategy!

First off, let’s talk about the dice in ‘Brew’. You get to roll these magical cubes every turn to gather resources like mushrooms and herbs. The trick is to use these resources to tame creatures and control forests. But here’s the catch – the dice have a mind of their own! I’ve had moments where I rolled nothing but water, and my dreams of taming a fiery phoenix were dashed. It’s like the game’s saying, “Not today, buddy!” So, if you’re someone who insists on having total control over your game, ‘Brew’s’ mechanics might just feel like tossing potion ingredients in the air!

Balance-wise, ‘Brew’ can feel a bit skewed towards luck because of these dice rolls. During one gaming night, my friend Lucy barely rolled the resources she needed but still managed to tame a beast, thanks to some strategic card plays. It’s like the game is whispering, “Hey, even if you’re not rolling well, there’s always a way out!” The balance of the game relies on how well you can adapt to the whims of the dice and outsmart your buddies.

‘Brew’ brings a mix of luck and strategy, but the charm of the game is how you navigate the chaos. Next up, we’ll explore the lively player interaction and tactics that make ‘Brew’ a community cauldron of fun!

Brew - Brew, Pandasaurus Games, 2021 — characters (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Player Interaction and Strategy in Brew

One time, my buddy Dave accused me of being a potion hoarder in ‘Brew’. I mean, I was just strategically preparing for winter, right? That’s the beauty of this game; it brings out the hilarious competitive side in everyone. In ‘Brew’, player interaction is key, but it’s more fun than cutthroat. You have to manage your dice to control forests and craft potions, while keeping an eye on what your rivals are brewing up. Nothing is more satisfying than snatching a crucial forest right from under your friend’s nose just because you outsmarted them with your placement strategy.

The strategies in ‘Brew’ are vast. Do you prioritize controlling forests for points, or do you focus on crafting potions to sway the game in your favor? The trick is in reading the board—and your opponents like a book full of spoilers. Timing is everything, as knowing when to deploy your animal companions can spell the difference between victory and a facepalm-worthy defeat. Honestly, I think the game forces you to master the art of adapting, because every round can turn your well-laid plans into a delightful chaos. It’s like choreographing a wild dance where the only certainty is uncertainty.

Stick around, because I’m about to spill the beans on whether ‘Brew’ is worth replaying and how long you can expect it to keep you and your crew entertained.

Brew - Brews! Beasts! Bforests! - Credit: The Innocent

Replayability and Game Duration in Brew

Ah, ‘Brew’! This game never ceases to bubble with excitement one round after another. When it comes to replayability, ‘Brew’ could be likened to those never-ending fireworks shows you reluctantly attend every Fourth of July. You can’t help but stay glued to the spectacle, even though you’ve seen it a couple of times before. Every playthrough offers new strategies and combinations, keeping it fresh and lively. Seriously, you’d think the wizards behind this game grew tired of players figuring out the perfect strategy, so they made it a puzzle that never quite solves the same way twice!

The game duration of ‘Brew’ is another kettle of fish. It’s not a game that overstays its welcome. Instead, it wraps up around the point where you’re starting to think about which pizza place delivers the fastest. With an average playtime of about 45-90 minutes, it strikes a nice balance. It’s long enough to feel substantial but short enough that you can make a night of it with multiple games. And for those who can be a bit indecisive (like me, every time I’m at the ice cream shop), it moves quick enough to keep things enjoyable.

The thing about ‘Brew’ is that while it offers a rich playing experience, it often leaves players with the feeling of “just one more game,” the hallmark of great replayability. Of course, it helps that every game feels like a fresh challenge, thanks to its dynamic setup and the way the game evolves with player decisions.

So, do I recommend ‘Brew’? Absolutely! It’s like that trusty old kettle – always ready to boil up some good fun. Get your friends together, and let the good times roll!”

Brew - Controlling forests is rarely easy. - Credit: The Innocent

Conclusion

So, that’s it folks! ‘Brew’ is a gem with its stunning art, engaging mechanics, and strategic depth. It’s perfect for your game nights, but if you hate luck-based chaos, you might want to sip on another brew. Overall, it’s a solid brew-tiful addition to any collection. This wraps up our review – now go roll some dice!

4/5Overall Score
Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.