Shows / Bards and Barrels
Bards and Barrels
Are you new to Dungeons and Dragons and TTRPGs? Then you are in the right place! Bards and Barrels is the perfect introduction to the world of DnD and TTRPGs. With engaging discussions, helpful tips, and plenty of laughs along the way. Join us as we explore the game and share our experiences as players and Dungeon Masters.
Episodes
- Bards and Barrels
S5 Ep. 4 - Is it ok to TPK the Party?
This week Phil and Ross have an in depth discussion on if it's ok to TPK the party. They talk about experiences they have and run through some hypothetical…
Bards and BarrelsS5 Ep. 3 - The Opening Crack: Clyde's Caramel Cream Ale
They guys knock the rust off with the first Opening Crack of the season! Clyde's Caramel Cream Ale gets the nod and finds a split party...uh oh.
- Bards and Barrels
S5 Ep. 2 - Thoughts on Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1
Neeeeeew Achievement! — It's all the rage right now the guys give their thoughts on the first book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.
- Bards and Barrels
S5 Ep. 1 - Let's Kick off Season 5
Join the guys as they give a sneak peak into what you can expect during Season 5 of Bards and Barrels as well as get some insight into their favorite classes…
- Bards and Barrels
Summer Bonus: We went to LitRPG Con
Ross and Phil went to LitRPG Con in Denver, Colorado in early July and have a fantastic experience to share with you all and whether or not you should check it…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 17: Let's wrap up Season 4
The time has come to put a nice bow on Season 4. Also the guys enjoy a nice pint of Bert the Hurt from Junkyard Brewing Company in Moorhead, Minnesota.
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 16: Final Thoughts on Candela Obscura
The end has come...part 10 of this fantastic series on Candela Obscura. Ross and Phil give their final thoughts on the horror TTRPG system from Darrington…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 15: Playing Candela Obscura
In part eight the guys discuss the actual playing mechanics in Candela Obscura.
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 14: Being a GM for Candela Obscura
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 13: Let's talk Dungeon Crawler Carl
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 12: Building a Character for Candela Obscura
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 11: Let's talk Candela Obscura
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…
Bards and BarrelsS4 Ep. 10: The Opening Crack - Bierstadt Lagerhaus Dunkel
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 9: Gods and Deities
Praise the flying spaghetti monster! The guys chat gods and deities in Faerûn and across Dungeons and Dragons.
Bards and BarrelsS4 Ep. 8: The Opening Crack - Don't Hassle the 'Hef'
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 7 - Mailbag Time!
It's time for the first mail bag of 2026! Listen in as the guys discuss this editions slate of mind crunching questions.
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 6: A Very Merry Bards and Barrels Christmas!
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…
Bards and BarrelsS4 Ep. 5: The Opening Crack - Worker Bee Honey Cream Ale
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 4: Bastions
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!
Bards and BarrelsS4 Ep. 3: The Opening Crack: Unicorn Fight Club
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 2: Species Review - Gnome
Short episode incoming! (See what we did there?) Get ready to go off the rails with as we discuss the Gnome species.
- Bards and Barrels
S4 Ep. 1 - Let's Kick Off Season 4!
SEASON 4! Lets goooo. The guys have a discussion about what you can expect through out season 4 and the changes coming this year.
- Bards and Barrels
BONUS Episode - TTRPG Shuffle: WotC and Darrington Press
We chat about the teleportation circle that has moved at least two people from Wizards of the Coast to Darrington Press this week.
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 20: That's a wrap...on Season 3
We look back on the fun that was season three and what is to come in season four of Bards and Barrels!
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 19: Using the Help Action
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!
Bards and BarrelsBONUS: The Opening Crack - Breckenridge Brewery: IPA Review
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 18: Combat Strategies for the Bad Guys
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…
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 17: The Opening Crack - Abbey Ale
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 16: Species Review - Human
Another species review incoming! This time it's all about YOU, the humans.
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 15: The Opening Crack: Tezcatlipoca
This weeks beer, Tezcatlipoca, comes from Diametric Brewing Company in Lee's Summit, Missouri!
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 14: Class Review - Artificer
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…
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 13: The Opening Crack: Black Walnut Wheat Ale
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!
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 12: Species Review - Elf
They guys debut of our first species review! Enter the classic elf. Come see why this should be the next species of your character!
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 11: The Opening Crack - Pickle Sour
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.
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 10: New Year, New Mailbag!
We hit the ol' DnD mailbag once again! Come see what is on the docket today.
- Bards and Barrels
BONUS: A Very Merry Bards and Barrels Christmas
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…
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 9: The Opening Crack: Lightshine Helles Lager
Wibby Brewing in Longmont, Colorado provides an award winning Helles Lager this week. This crips, refreshing lager known as the Lightshine Helles is truly…
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 8: The Opening Crack: Sea Salt and Lime - Supra Deluxe Premium Lager
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 7: Food, Water and Encumbrance...oh my.
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 6: The Opening Crack: Carpe Brewem Old Fashioned Imperial Stout
We head into high ABV territory this week the hefty Carpe Brewem Old Fashioned Imperial Stout from Empyrean Brewing in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 5 - Alignment
Lawful Good, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Neutral and everything in between. Today we talk alignments and why you should care about them.
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 4: The Opening Crack - The Griffin
This week the team cracks open a cold can of The Griffin a Blood Orange Hefeweizen from Grim Brothers Brewing in Loveland, Colorado!
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep 3 - Class Review: Wizard
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…
Bards and BarrelsS3 Ep 2: The Opening Crack: Chonk Sundae Sour - Pineapple Whip
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.
- Bards and Barrels
S3 Ep. 1 - DnD and AI
Season 3 kicks off with they guys discussing of AI has both created opportunity and controversy within the world of Dungeons and Dragons,
- Bards and Barrels
BONUS: The Opening Crack - Dungeon at First Street Brewing
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep.18 - The End...of Season 2
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep. 17 - Mailbag
The mailbag is full this week! As we get set to wrap up season two let's dive into some of YOUR questions!
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack - Nordic Jam
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep.16 - Reviewing Nations and Cannons
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…
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack: Bligh's Barleywine Ale
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep. 15 - Light of Xaryxis Campaign Review
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…
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack: Lemon-Lime Pop Cultured
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep. 14 - System Check: Mörk Borg
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…
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack - Chonk: Sundae Sour
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep. 13 - Class Review: Paladin
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…
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack - Knee High Hefeweizen
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…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep.12 - Mailbag Time Again!
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…
Bards and BarrelsS2 Bonus: The Opening Crack - Michelada
Has the perfect brunch beer been found?! The boys think so as the Michelada from 4 Noses Brewing Company in Broomfield, Colorado gets cracked for a review. If…
- Bards and Barrels
S2 Ep. 11 - Class Review: Bard
The humble bard maybe isn't so humble and superficial as we all thought. Phil certainly found this out when made ANOTHER Rogue out a Bard. Seriously though…