I’m writing this on what I’m told will be the last hot day, that it will cool off soon and I’ll be able to describe the air as “crisp.” Y’all, I’ve been wearing sweaters and boots for a couple of weeks, willing Fall into existence. I’m not a PSL girlie, I prefer the peppermint-chocolate vibe of winter, but a hot beverage on a cold day? Perfection. I’ve pulled out my copies of Quacks, of Framework, of Photosynthesis, of Beer and Bread because they feel cozy even as they’re aggressive and competitive. Sunday is the Fall Equinox, some call it Mabon—a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest and the need to share it with everyone. It reminds me of something I read recently: if someone’s ordered pizza for a group, don’t take three slices on your first pass, take one so there’s enough for everyone and divide up the rest.

We need this—the generosity and abundance of sharing, but also the respite of harvest and fall. Autumn feels like a relief from the heat of summer and the shift of seasons suggests that other fortunes might shift as well. Even the feeling of the year dying with winter coming can feel hopeful—this thing we are in has an ending, something new comes after that.

I hasten to add that I don’t mean this as an oversimplification or hiding our heads in the sand—it’s a sense that we can be better than this moment, that there’s something larger happening as the seasons shift, as the earth under our feet continues to live and support our life together. There’s so much bad news on our feeds and on TV, but there is also good news of people being liberated, people pushing back on harm, and the leaves changing signifying our own ability to do and be something different.

Alice C, board game librarian

Play Beer & Bread!

Beer & Bread is a delightful 2-player game where you manage a medieval village and try to master the art of - you guessed it - brewing beer and baking bread. The game is all about balancing shared resources as you strive to harmonize your actions of harvesting, producing goods, and upgrading your abilities. Beer & Bread is the perfect way to kick off a cozy game night for two.

Therasa L, event lead, bartender, and board game librarian

Try our pretzels and beer cheese!

It’s pretzels! It’s beer cheese! It’s pretzels and beer cheese! What’s not to like?

But seriously, they’re salty and crispy, the cheese is hot and gooey, it’s an excellent appetizer to share with a friend over a game of Beer and Bread, or to enjoy all by yourself with a relaxing solo game of Dorf Romantik. Celebrate Oktoberfest in style!