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 casts a spell with its vibrant art and strategic gameplay. While luck can sometimes stir the pot, the mix of area control and resource management makes for a delightful tabletop adventure.

  • Gameplay Mechanics
  • Art and Components
  • Player Interaction
  • Replay Value
4/5Overall Score

Brew offers vibrant art, strategic gameplay, and a touch of luck. A magical adventure awaits board game fans!

Specs
  • Number of Players: 2-4
  • Playing Time: 45-90 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 10+
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Game Type: Strategy, Area Control
  • Components: Dice, Cards, Board, Player Boards, Tokens
  • Publisher: Pandasaurus Games
Pros
  • Engaging strategic gameplay
  • Vibrant captivating art
  • Replayable with different strategies
  • Friendly player interaction
Cons
  • Luck influences outcomes
  • Setup takes time
  • Fiddly components
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Welcome to a realm where magic brews and forest creatures roam! In this review, I’m sharing my experience with the board game Brew. Imagine a game night with enchanting artwork, strategic gameplay, and just enough friendly rivalry to keep everyone on their magical toes. Whether you’re casting spells or gathering resources, Brew promises a unique adventure every time it’s played. But does it truly deliver a spellbinding experience? Let’s find out if this game is a magical must-have for your collection or simply a potion gone wrong. Get ready, grab your cauldron, and let’s stir things up as we explore the enchanting world of Brew together!

How It Plays

Setting Up

To start casting spells, divide the forest and potion cards among the players. Everyone takes a player board and some dice. Set the element and creature decks nearby, then shuffle and place them in reach. Make sure each player picks an animal companion card. Keep some tokens at hand. Set the scene, and you’re ready for magic!

Gameplay

Using your dice strategically is key in Brew. On your turn, you place a die to gather resources, reclaim forests, or brew potions. With each roll, you must decide whether to harness elemental powers or tussle for forest control with your pals. The choices are yours, but remember, your rivals are scheming too! Juggling dice, powers, and potions creates a riveting, constantly shifting game.

Winning the Game

To triumph, you want to outsmart everyone in potion brewing and forest domination. By the end, whoever has the most victory points from forests, potions, and completed objectives wins. Keep your eyes on the prize while adapting your strategy in this magical showdown. Fortune favors the clever!

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

Stirring Up Strategy: The Gameplay Mechanics of Brew

When my friends and I cracked open Brew, I expected to stir up a mystical potion, but little did I know I’d unleash a whirlwind of strategy! This game is a delightful concoction of area control, dice rolling, and resource management. In Brew, you play as a forest-dwelling creature with one goal: restore balance to the seasons. Sounds simple, right? Think again!

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—the dice. I rolled more ones than a kindergarten class learning to count. While luck plays a part, Brew cleverly balances it by letting players manipulate dice and brew potions to swing things their way. It’s a bit like juggling—except instead of flaming swords, you’re dealing with magical potions and forest creatures. Just remember to keep an eye on those areas because missing out on controlling them could cost you big time!

One thing I loved was the different paths to victory. Whether it’s collecting potions or controlling forest locations, Brew keeps you on your toes. You need to make quick decisions, or you’ll find yourself sipping a bitter brew of regret! That said, if you’re someone who frowns upon luck influencing your glorious plans, you might find yourself in a minor pickle.

As we dove into another round, I couldn’t help but marvel at the clever mechanics. Keep an eye out—next, we’ll journey into the enchanting world of Brew’s art and components!

Brew - Three player game - Credit: Piot

Art and Components in Brew: A Visual Feast

Picture this: I’m sitting at my friend’s kitchen table, ready to unleash the enchanting world of Brew. We open the box, and my socks are knocked off by the vibrant artwork. The illustrator must have sprinkled some stardust on these cards because the art is pure magic! Each card and component pops with color and whimsy, pulling you right into the mythical forest. It’s like Bob Ross decided to throw a party with magic potions and mysterious creatures.

The game comes with beautifully designed dice and tokens, that look like they belong in a museum. The tactile feel of these components is just delightful. Nothing beats rolling those chunky dice or placing those sturdy tokens on the board. It’s like crafting an artwork with every move. One time, my friend Bob (yes, another one) got so enchanted by the art, he almost forgot to take his turn! The artist and designer duo deserve a standing ovation for this masterpiece.

Let’s not forget about the board itself, which is a treat for the eyes. It’s like a mystical map that leads you on adventures through enchanting lands. If board games had their equivalent of a red carpet, Brew would be the star of the show.

Stay tuned, because next up, we’re delving into the realm of Player Interaction. Grab your brew of choice, and let’s chat about how this game gets players engaged and scheming like wily forest foxes!

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

Player Interaction in the Mystical World of Brew

Gather ’round, my fellow gaming enthusiasts, as Brew immerses players in a world of magical forests and powerful potions. There’s nothing like a good, friendly tug-of-war over mystical lands, and this game delivers in spades! When you set out your dice in Brew, the tension is as thick as a double-chocolate milkshake on a hot day. The competition is real, and your opponents can be as pesky as mosquitoes at a summer BBQ!

In Brew, you and your fellow players will constantly clash over control of vibrant forest spaces. Each decision feels like a game of hopscotch—but with more strategy and fewer skinned knees. The interaction shines when choosing which potions to brew. Not only do they give you magical powers, but they can thwart your friends’ best-laid plans. I’ve seen friendships stronger than a snowman’s resolve waver under a well-timed potion power-up!

Every move in Brew feels personal. You can almost hear the taunts as your buddies nab that one territory you were eyeing, or when they mess with your resources. Focus is key, as the game awards quick thinkers who can anticipate their friends’ moves two steps ahead. It creates a delightful chaos that keeps everyone guessing. If looks could brew potions, my friends and I would be wizards by now, with all the side-eye glances we shoot each other during this game!

With all this friendly rivalry, it’s like a magical tug-of-war that doesn’t let up until the final dice is rolled. Stay tuned, because in the next section, we’ll see if Brew casts a replay value spell or fizzle out like a damp match!

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

Replay Value in Brew: A Magical Journey of Endless Possibilities

The replay value of Brew holds an enchanting allure that keeps players returning to its mystical world time and again. Each game is a unique experience, offering fresh challenges and delightful surprises. The ever-changing forest and unpredictable weather elements ensure no two games feel the same.

One of my favorite aspects of Brew is the way players get to experiment with different strategies. Will you go all in with potion brewing or focus on taming creatures to dominate the forest? The choices are vast, adding layers of depth and excitement. It’s like choosing between wearing your jammies all day or finally putting on real pants – both have their own appeal!

Of course, not everything is sunshine and rainbows – or in this case, deer antlers and glowing mushrooms. Luck can sometimes play a sneaky role, which might leave some players shaking their fists at the tabletop gods. However, the strategic elements usually keep the experience grounded, even if it feels like you’re wrestling with a particularly stubborn mushroom (trust me, I speak from experience).

Whether you’re a veteran player or a newcomer to the world of Brew, the replay value is like an old friend you can’t get enough of. There are always new strategies to explore and magical paths to take. So, do I recommend it? Absolutely, if you’re ready for a whimsical adventure that keeps you guessing and strategizing along the way. It’s like getting lost in a fairytale forest, and who wouldn’t want that?

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

Conclusion

Brew has captured my heart with its stunning art, strategic gameplay, and fun interactions. Sure, luck plays a bit too much of a role, and some might find it frustrating when that perfect dice roll slips through their fingers. But the charm and strategic depth of Brew make it a joy to play. If you’re looking for a game that keeps you coming back, offers unique strategies, and isn’t afraid to test your luck, Brew could be your next tabletop adventure. This concludes the review. Now, go gather your friends, unleash your inner forest guardian, and see who truly masters the mystical wilds!

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.