Meeples and Wine – Meeples And Wine

Is Hover: The Cutthroat Hummingbird Game Worth Adding to Your Collection?

By MeeplesandWine | May 16, 2026

Show Notes: Hover – A Brutal Game of Hummingbirds | Meeples & Wine Podcast

In this episode Michael and Suzy sit down with Hover: A Brutal Game of Hummingbirds, a fun hummingbird theme board game where you play as the aggressive little birds fighting over nectar (energy) while racing to build a nest and win a mate. We break down the rules for this area movement game that mixes take that elements, bluffing, and direct conflict in a light strategy package perfect for couples.

We paired the game with the Cherry Kirsche 2024 from Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma, Wisconsin. It is an old-world style cherry brandy dessert wine that works really well with rich chocolate or cheesecake.

https://shop.vonstiehl.com/shop/products/162 – direct link to buy the Cherry Kirsche 2024
https://vonstiehl.com/ – Von Stiehl Winery website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp_lf16tXJ4 – video profile of the wine

The Hover board game comes from designer Victor Shiu and artist Shawna Shiu, published by Ibis Tea. It plays 2 to 4 players and features area movement, resource gathering, stealing from other nests, attacks resolved with hidden energy and beauty, and a big courting call finale to win the game. We talk about how the two player version changes, how the “take that” mechanics feel at the table, and whether it stays friendly enough for couples.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/452208/hover – Hover on BoardGameGeek
https://hover.ibistea.com/ – official Hover game website

Hover is launching on Kickstarter on May 19, 2026, so we mention that for anyone looking for new Kickstarter board games in 2026.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/victorshiu/hover-a-surprisingly-brutal-hummingbird-game – Hover Kickstarter page

We walk through the complete rules summary including setup, movement, area actions in the field, garden, forest and feeder, building your nest with twigs and spider silk, adding lichen for protection, attacking other birds, and pulling off a successful courting call. We also share our fun scores, couch scores for relationship safety, thoughts on the learning curve for this hummingbird board game, and the optional rules like 15 second turns.

Contact Meeples & Wine

We’re Michael and Suzy, your hosts dishing out honest board game reviews for couples, blending wine (or in this case, beer) tastings with gameplay breakdowns. Got feedback? Hit us up at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. And hey, leave a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 – we love hearing from you!

If you enjoy board game reviews for couples, especially area movement games or take that board games with a bit of bite, share this episode with a friend. Thanks for listening and we will see you next time on Meeples & Wine. Buh-bye!

Arkham Horror Lovecraft Letter and Cult Cabernet Sauvignon

By MeeplesandWine | April 18, 2026

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We’re heading to the Midwest Gaming Classic next week outside Tabletop Village. Come say hi!

Today we’re tasting the Cult Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 from Cult Vines in Lodi, California. It’s a medium-bodied, easy-drinking Cab with notes of black cherry, raspberry, chocolate, oak, tobacco, and light spice. Smooth and silky with powdery tannins—fruity, lightly spicy, and great for casual sipping. Vivino rating ~3.8–3.9. Pairs beautifully with grilled steak, burgers, lamb, tomato-based pastas, mushroom risotto, eggplant Parmesan, or bold cheeses.

The game we’re playing is Arkham Horror: Lovecraft Letter (2025). It’s a super quick push-your-luck deduction card game that re-themes the classic Love Letter system with the madness and monsters of the Arkham Horror universe. Draw, discard, and try to survive Cthulhu-flavored chaos—multiple winners possible. Very light, plays 2–6, BGG ~7.5.

We review Batman: Love Letter at episode 29, you can find that HERE!

How does it play with two players? Was it fun?
Fun Score 1–10: Michael – 8, Suzy – 8.

Will it wreck the relationship?
Couch Score 1–5: Michael – 2, Suzy – 2.

Time Sink – How long does it take to learn the rules?
1–5. 1 – Super easy to grasp.

Final Sip – How has the wine changed since opening?

Last Call –
We hit Kickstarter/Gamefound for cool upcoming games. This time: Flockers – navigate your flock of geese south for the winter!

If you like the show, share it with a friend!

See you next time on Meeples and Wine! Buh-Bye!

URLs:
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/odd-bird/flockers

Episode 50! Interview with Josh Mowry of Miskatonic Brewery

By MeeplesandWine | July 8, 2023

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Welcome to episode 50 of “Meeples and Wine,” the podcast where we combine our love for tabletop gaming with a good glass of wine! For a Fiftieth Episode special in today’s episode, we have a treat for all the beer enthusiasts out there as we interview the talented founder and brewmaster, Josh Mowry, from the renowned Miskatonic Brewery. So grab your favorite glass of vino (or brew), sit back, and let’s dive into the world of board games and craft beer!

In this lively conversation, we get to know Josh and discover the story behind Miskatonic Brewery. Named after the iconic fictional university from H.P. Lovecraft‘s works, Miskatonic Brewery stands out not only for its Lovecraftian inspiration but also for its commitment to creating unique and flavorful craft beers.

Josh shares his journey as a passionate homebrewer turned professional brewmaster. With his love for both literature and brewing, it was only natural for him to merge the two worlds together. He talks about the inspirations behind Miskatonic Brewery’s beer names, and some of the new beers they are working on right now.

We delve into the process of crafting exceptional beers. From discussing the different styles and flavors that Miskatonic Brewery offers to exploring the challenges of experimentation and innovation in the craft beer industry, they cover it all. Listeners gain insight into the meticulous attention to detail that goes into each brew, ensuring that every sip is a delightful experience.

To wrap up the interview, Josh offers some tantalizing hints about upcoming projects and collaborations. He leaves us eagerly anticipating what Miskatonic Brewery has in store for the future, with promises of new flavors in great new brews.

So if you’re a fan of delicious craft beer, fantasy lit or a board game enthusiast, this episode of “Meeples and Wine” is a must-listen. Join us and Josh Mowry, as they celebrate the intersection of these two vibrant communities and explore the flavors and stories that make Miskatonic Brewery a standout player in the craft beer industry. Cheers!

If you’d like to keep in touch with Miskatonic Brewery and see what they have going on and coming up their socials and Untappd links are below!

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, 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/

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