Engine Building Games – Meeples And Wine

Engine Building Games – Meeples And Wine

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Engine Building Games – Meeples And Wine episodes

  • Is Quacks (The Quacks of Quedlinburg) Worth Playing with Two Players?
    Exploring Push-Your-Luck Fun with Quacks and a Crisp California Chardonnay

    In this episode of Meeples & Wine, Michael and Suzy dive into one of the most entertaining bag-building games around: Quacks (originally released as The Quacks of Quedlinburg). They pair it with the approachable and delicious Decoy Chardonnay 2024 from Duckhorn Vineyards.

    The game puts you in the role of quack doctors brewing risky potions by drawing ingredient chips from your personal bag. Push your luck to fill your pot for big points, but watch out — too many cherry bombs and your potion explodes! Michael and Suzy discuss how it plays with two players, share their fun scores, and talk about the clever risk-reward mechanics that make every round exciting.

    They also review the Decoy Chardonnay 2024, a fruit-forward white with notes of ripe tangerine, mango, pineapple, and a touch of vanilla oak. It’s a versatile, crowd-pleasing wine that pairs beautifully with the game’s lighthearted chaos.

    Listen now to hear their full thoughts on gameplay, strategy, and whether this combo is relationship-safe!

    Links & References:

    • Quacks on BoardGameGeek
    • Decoy Chardonnay 2024 Official Page
    • Quacks Expansions
    • The Lord of the Rings: Ascension on Gamefound
    • Podcast Contact: [email protected] | Voicemail (707) 572-5282
    • Source

      50 min
    • Beer & Bread & Butter
      Episode 97: Beer & Bread & Butter

      Welcome to Meeples & Wine, the podcast of board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand! I’m Michael and I’m joined by Suzy. Today we are balancing our pallets and our game boards with a “harmonious” pairing.

      The Wine: Bread & Butter California Red Blend

      We aren’t overthinking it today! Our pick is the Bread & Butter California Red Blend, a classic everyday red that’s all about relaxed vibes.

      • The Vibe: An affordable crowd-pleaser, usually found for $14–$17 per bottle.
      • Style: A plush, velvety, medium-to-full-bodied blend often heavy on Cab and Petite Sirah.
      • Tasting Notes: We’re getting juicy black plum, dark cherry, and blackberry with smooth layers of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel.
      • Stats: It holds a steady 3.9/5 on Vivino as of 2026.
      • Pairing Tip: Perfect for burgers, pizza, or a cozy movie night.
      • Check it out here: Bread & Butter Wines
      • The Game: Beer & Bread

        This week we’re hitting the fields with Beer & Bread, a multi-use card game designed for exactly two players.

        The Premise

        You represent rival villages sharing a monastery’s fruitful lands. Over six years (alternating between “fruitful” and “dry”), you’ll harvest resources, brew beer, bake bread, and upgrade your facilities.

        The “Twist”

        Balance is key! At the end of the sixth year, you only score the coins from the category (beer or bread) where you earned the least. If you go all-in on beer and ignore your bread, you’re going to have a bad time.

        Quick Stats:
        • Designer: Scott Almes (The Tiny Epic guy!)
        • Artist: Michael Menzel (Catan, Dominion)
        • Publisher: Deep Print Games
        • Complexity: 2.36/5 on BGG
        • Links: BGG Game Page | Our Tiny Epic Dungeons Episode
        • Our Ratings:
          • Michael’s Fun Score: 8/10 22
          • Suzy’s Fun Score: 9.5/10 23
          • Couch Score: 2/5 (Won’t wreck your relationship!)
          • What Else is Brewing?
            • Kickstarter Spotlight: We’re keeping an eye on Grassfed: A Farm to Tabletop Game from the Ascension team. Check it out on Gamefound.
            • MGC 2026: We will be at the Midwest Gaming Classic again this year (April 25–27)!
            • Contact Us!

              What everyday reds are you reaching for this winter? We’d love to hear from you! 27

              • Socials: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn
              • Voicemail: (707) 572-5282
              • See you next time on Meeples and Wine! Buh-Bye!

                Source

                51 min
              • NaPodPomo 2023: 30 Days of Game Mechanics: Engine Building Games

                Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

                Exploring Engine Building Games: From Terraforming Mars to Magic Gathering

                In this episode of our NaPodPoMo 2023 run, Michael discusses the concept of engine building in board and tabletop games. Highlighting the buzz that comes from creating efficient, interconnected systems in various games like ‘Terraforming Mars’ and ‘Magic: The Gathering.’ Engine building isn’t genre-specific, we underline its presence in resource management, card drafting, and worker placement games.

                00:13 Introduction and Podcast Overview
                00:53 Engaging with the Podcast
                01:12 Introduction to Engine Building Games
                01:51 Understanding Engine Building with Terraforming Mars
                02:24 The Appeal of Engine Building Games
                02:49 Engine Building in Different Game Genres
                03:31 Engine Building in Magic: The Gathering
                04:05 Variety in Engine Building Mechanics
                04:40 Appreciating the Design of Engine Building Games
                05:02 Conclusion and Look Ahead

                If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at [email protected], at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

                https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

                You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/

                Source

                6 min

              About Engine Building Games – Meeples And Wine

              From the publisher's feed

              Board Game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand!