Love board games? Let’s talk boardgames, lots of board gaming (and a few RPGs). Tabletop Bellhop, your cardboard concierge, is here to answer your gaming and game night questions, helping you make your game nights better with tabletop game reviews and advice.
We answer a question from one of our awesome Patreon patrons who asked what we think publishers can do to better set expectations for their board games. We also share the games we’ve been playing lately, including Grandpa Beck’s latest game, Whoa There Cowboy! Plus we dive into detailed reviews of two games where we got exactly what we expected, Alhambra Family & Friends Edition from Queen Games, and Beer & Bread from Capstone Games.
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 291 was recorded on December 17th, 2025. We usually record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
Find full detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep291/
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.
(00:00:00) CHECK-IN
(00:02:23) Announcements
Upcoming Events:
Dec 28th – Pop up Board Game Cafe at Hidden Trail
https://tabletopbellhop.com/hidden
Jan 6th – ProtoWIN Game Designer Night at Hidden Trail
https://tabletopbellhop.com/protowin/
Jan 22nd – Brews & Board Games at the Walkerville Brewery
https://tabletopbellhop.com/local/
(00:03:39) Ask the Bellhop
(00:59:01) The Bellhop’s Tabletop
(01:11:08) The Game Room – Beer & Bread
Beer & Bread: https://amzn.to/4qfdsQ2
Check out the Capstone Games Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/4qlf7n5
27 Quick & Fun Easy to Learn Two Player Board Games https://tabletopbellhop.com/gaming-advice/quick-and-easy-two-player-board-games/
24 More of the Best Two Player Board Games for Date Night https://tabletopbellhop.com/gaming-advice/date-night-board-games/
(01:28:34) The Game Room – Alhambra Family & Friends Edition
Pick up Alhambra Compact Edition: https://amzn.to/4sg7j8f
Check out the Queen Games Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/4pcGE9v
Our other Queen Games coverage: https://tabletopbellhop.com/tag/queen-games/
(01:45:26) Closing the Doors
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This episode we answer a question from one of our awesome Patreon patrons who asked what we think publishers can do to better set expectations for their games.
We share the games we’ve been playing lately, including Grandpa Beck’s latest game, Whoa There Cowboy!
We wrap up with detailed reviews of two games where we got exactly what we expected, Alhambra Family & Friends Edition from Queen Games, and Beer & Bread from Capstone Games.
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 291 was recorded on December 21th, 2025. You can join us when we record live, usually on Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern on Twitch.
If you’d like to watch the (slightly less edited) video version of this recording you can jump to the bottom of the post.
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. Using these links costs you nothing extra and helps us offset the cost of producing this show. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the games mentioned in this podcast were provided free by publishers, designers, or distributors.
— Announcements —
Upcoming Events:
- Dec 28th – Pop up Board Game Cafe at Hidden Trail
- Jan 6th – ProtoWIN Game Designer Night at Hidden Trail
- Jan 22nd – Brews & Board Games at the Walkerville Brewery
Check out our Local Page on the Blog where we are tracking all upcoming events.
— Ask The Bellhop: What publishers can do to better set expectations — [00:03:39]
- Last episode: Tricks & Trumps
- Star Wars – Return of the Jedi, Battle at Sarlacc’s Pit
- Shadowlord
- Mouse Trap
- Ulcers
- Clue VCR Mystery Game
- Atmosfear
- Star Trek The Next Generation – A Klingon Challenge
- Origin Story
- The Giant Lost of Tabletop Game Mechanics and Terms
- My Little Pony Adventures in Equestria
- Disney Villainous Introduction to Evil
- Disney Sidekicks
- Reef
- Disney Lorcana
- Jaws
- Master of Orion the Board Game
- Dice Kingdoms of Valeria
- Sushi Boat
- Cowboy Bebop Space Serenade
- Kutna Hora
- Tir Na Nog
- Xylotar
- How to Save A World
- Please Don’t Burn My Village
- Game Time, Episode 252
- Marrakesh
- Board Game Geek
- Castellans
- The Artemis Project
- The Artemis Odyssey
Send your questions to: Questions@tabletopbellhop.com
— The Bellhop’s Tabletop: What we’ve been playing — [00:59:01]
— Review of Beer & Bread — [01:11:08]
Two villages face off in the yeasty traditions of brewing beer and baking bread, which is done through the use of multi use cards and two different forms of card drafting.
- Beer & Bread
- Check out the Capstone Games Amazon Storefront
- 27 Quick & Fun Easy to Learn Two Player Board Games
- 24 More of the Best Two Player Board Games for Date Night
— Review of Alhambra Family & Friends Edition — [01:28:34]
A true classic board game brought back in a new compact edition with a lower price point, that also includes four modules that add some new ways to score and meat to the game.
- Pick up Alhambra Compact Edition
- Check out the Queen Games Amazon Storefront
- Our other Queen Games Coverage
—Support our efforts—
If you enjoy our content
- Join the Bellhop Discord.
- Check out our Patreon.
- Shop Tabletop Bellhop merch.
- Buy us a coffee.
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