Bards and Barrels

Ross and Phil discuss the ins and outs of running an assignment in Candela Obscura and the Game Master's role of keeping the tension high in a narrative focused game. 

It's all the rage right now and for good reason! Phil and Ross chat about Dungeon Crawler Carl and make an announcement about a convention they will be attending this summer!

This episode of Bards and Barrels we jump into the character creation process for Candela Obscura. This is part 4 of a 10+ part deep dive into everything about Candela Obscura. You can find the entirety of the series on our Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/@bardsandbarrels 

Come along for Part 2 of the Candela Obscura deep dive with Phil and Ross!In this episode the guys dive a little deeper into this excellent horror ttrpg from Darrington Press. You can find the first part on Youtube at www.youtube.com/@bardsandbarrels.Cheers!

The boys crack the top on the Bierstadt Dunkel a delightfully easy drinking beer from Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver, Colorado. And the cult classic TV show Firefly is what get's scrapped up from the bottom of the barrel! 

Praise the flying spaghetti monster! The guys chat gods and deities in Faerûn and across Dungeons and Dragons. 

Time to crack another craft beer! This week it's Don't Hassle the 'Hef' from Westbound & Down Brewing Company and we scrape the bottom of the barrel by discussing Marvel movies. Strap in!

It's time for the first mail bag of 2026! Listen in as the guys discuss this editions slate of mind crunching questions. 

We're back! And to day we have our Christmas celebration - beer, Christmas music, D&D chaos and more! What more could you ask for? Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to everyone out there!CONTENT WARNING: This episode does contain a fair bit of adult language. You have been warned. :)

This Opening Crack gets a little sweet as they guys dive into the Worker Bee Honey Cream Ale from Remedy Brewing Company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Then stick around to scrape the Bottom of the Barrel, this week discussion favorite music. 

Time to go build a castle! Wizards of the Coast finally gave us official structure for bastions with the 2024 Dungeon Master Guid. Let's discuss!

On this Opening Crack the guys dip back into Millstream Brewing and give a sour a try with Unicorn Fight Club. And stick around because after the crack the guys scrape the bottom of the barrel with a new segment!

Short episode incoming! (See what we did there?) Get ready to go off the rails with as we discuss the Gnome species. 

SEASON 4! Lets goooo. The guys have a discussion about what you can expect through out season 4 and the changes coming this year. 

We chat about the teleportation circle that has moved at least two people from Wizards of the Coast to Darrington Press this week. 

We look back on the fun that was season three and what is to come in season four of Bards and Barrels!

This week the guys pay tribute to the Beatles and then dive into using the help action and other ways that you can help out while playing DnD! 

On this Opening Crack we review FOUR IPAs from Breckenridge Brewery! We had a blast tasting and discussing these brews. Stand by for the usual shenanigans in long form as well taste, rate and have a good time. Prost! 

While it might seem that most monsters, cultist and general enemies just like to line up and get their butt kicked. The reality is they are strategizing too. Plotting an ambush, laying traps and maybe even saving their own skin. Tip of the day...play them that way.

This week's beer comes to you from Martin City Brewing in Kansas City, it's the Belgian Style Abbey Ale. Buckle up becasue unsurprisingly the guys go off the rails a bit in this episode. 

Another species review incoming! This time it's all about YOU, the humans. 

This weeks beer, Tezcatlipoca, comes from Diametric Brewing Company in Lee's Summit, Missouri!

The last and possibly one of the more complex classes coming at you. This is the last in our original series reviewing the classes available in 2014 DnD 5e. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Youtube -- @BardsandBarrels. Enjoy!

A unique beer from makes it's way to the table from Piney River Brewing Company, Black Walnut Wheat Ale. This was a fun episode, we hope you enjoy!

They guys debut of our first species review! Enter the classic elf. Come see why this should be the next species of your character!

Here we go again. The guys take a sip of a pickle sour....find out how this beer, coming from Loveland Aleworks in Loveland, Colorado, tickled the tastebuds.

We hit the ol' DnD mailbag once again! Come see what is on the docket today.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Bards and Barrels crew! This one has a bit everything in it....but that generally means that hilarity will ensue. Enjoy!

Wibby Brewing in Longmont, Colorado provides an award winning Helles Lager this week. This crips, refreshing lager known as the Lightshine Helles is truly something to behold! Check it out. 

A Japanese style lager the Sea Salt and Lime Supra Deluxe makes its way to the table for the guys to taste. Surprisingly this comes from Modist Brewing in Minneapolis, Minnesota...who'd have thought you'd need to go to Minnesota to find Japanese beer! 

Ok, does anyone follow the encumbrance rules? Not sure we have paid too much attention to it but we may have some cool ideas on how to incorporate them situationally. 

We head into high ABV territory this week the hefty Carpe Brewem Old Fashioned Imperial Stout from Empyrean Brewing in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lawful Good, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Neutral and everything in between. Today we talk alignments and why you should care about them.

This week the team cracks open a cold can of The Griffin a Blood Orange Hefeweizen from Grim Brothers Brewing in Loveland, Colorado!

Spells spells spells and more spells. If that is something that piques your interest then you need to tune into this episode of Bards and Barrels to learn more about the wizard!

We head back to Drekker Brewing in Fargo, North Dakota for another Sundae Sour. This time Pineapple whip makes it's way to the table and boy is it good. 

Season 3 kicks off with they guys discussing of AI has both created opportunity and controversy within the world of Dungeons and Dragons,

Our friends at First Street Brewing are doing something really cool in the world of D&D. Five tables, thirty players and everyone playing different pieces of a story that culminates by coming together at the end. This is going to be epic!We also sample the Assumption Saison, a beautiful beer, and talk about the mission of First Street Brewing. Nathan and Tony were wonderful hosts and we are excited to continue partnering with them. 

We have arrived at the finish line! Thank you so much for every one that helped contribute to and excellent second season of Bards and Barrels. Take a listen to hear us reflect a bit on this season and give a sneak preview of whats going to happen of the summer and into the fall. Most importantly a big thank you to YOU, our listeners, we couldn't do this without. Thanks for cracking a cold one, grabbing the dice and checking out our episodes week in and week out. You are freaking amazing!

The mailbag is full this week! As we get set to wrap up season two let's dive into some of YOUR questions!

Skol! There is a viking invasion this week as Nordic Jam hits our tastebuds. This fruity beer from Two Pitchers Brewing is very interesting. Take a listen to see what the guys think about about this one. 

Up the rebels, down the British! -- This week we go back in time for a interesting and historical 5e setting for you to use! Nations and Cannons in a Revolutionary War campaign setting that not only provides the historical context to throw at your party but also get some solid mechanics on how to use things like muskets and cannons.

Possibly the strongest beer we have had on the show so far, Bligh's Barleywine Ale from Dry Dock Brewing clocked in at a 13% on it's ABV -- was this a direct hit or did this nautical themed beer have to walk the plank? Listen and find out!

The party is back together! Matt and Isaac rejoin the crew to review, Light of Xaryxis, a fun space based DnD module. Check it out!SPOILER ALERT: If you plan to play this at some point there are some major plot points discussed. Content Warning: While light, there is some adult language and adult humor throughout this episode.

This golden ale from Obscurity Brewing in Elburn, Illinois absolutely fits the bill as pop. The guys discuss the grayed lines between beer and soda with this one. It's fun and worth a listen!

This is a unique episode of Bards and Barrels as we stray away from D&D a bit. Phil and Ross review Mörk Borg, a dark, apocalyptic role playing game. Phil probably puts it best...this role playing game is easy to learn, easy to play and easy to DIE. Check it out!

Wowzers! Do we have an interesting brew this week from Drekker Brewing Company in Fargo, North Dakota. Chonk Sundae Sour has mango, apricot, orange push pop and whole lot of smoothie vibes going on. The guys were pretty enamored by this one. Take a listen!

Crusaders, Knights of the Round Table and even Thor Odinson...all fine examples of the humble yet mighty Paladin! Pack up your long sword or run the risk of feeling their divine smite. Lets go with another class review!

Millstream Brewing Company of Amana, Iowa is back with another beer on The Opening Crack! Brett, Ross and Ph.....er Damen, from Steeple Brewing,  take a sip and give this tasty beer a review. 

The guys dip into the mailbag once again and find some...interesting questions this time around. Solving one of the most important questions they have come across too. Just how long is a dagger that is meant for a halfling?