I bought both of these for a recent game night. I was hanging out with some disreputable acquaintances including @generikat and her husband the Hawaiian Sasquatch. We were not only playing games, but also celebrating the dismissal of criminal charges against another member of our merry band of misfits. Alcohol was consumed, lewd jokes were made, insults were flung, sewers were explored, and ghosts were offended. It was a good night.
Sorry about the blur. Merriment was occurring.
If you're wondering about the game that got derailed by the festivities, it's Vampire: The Requiem. This campaign is the first time I've played it. This game uses 10-sided dice (d10s), and each one that rolls an 8, 9, or 10 counts as a success, with the 10 also earning a re-roll for a chance at a bonus success. If a character has no relevant skills for a thing they want to try, a single d10 chance die is rolled instead, with a 10 required for success.
The dice pools created by adding attributes and skills together remind me a lot of FFG's Genesys/Star Wars narrative dice, but with less narrative flexibility, and real numbers instead of abstract symbols. If you have played Shadowrun and used its d6 system, there is also a resemblance.
I think dice pool systems tend to work better than the Dungeons & Dragons way of rolling a d20, doing math, and then rolling more dice if it's combat to see how successful a success was. Then again, if you can track your modifiers and add quickly in your head, the D&D dice have a certain thrill, too. They are just different ways to turn statistics into probabilities that help tell a story.
No-Li Brewhouse of Spokane, Washington is a microbrewery serving the Inland Northwest. I've had a few of their offerings, and haven't been disappointed. Squatch Rocket is apparently the second in a series of sasquatch-themed brews, and it ain't bad. Hey, @flemingfarm, is this one of the breweries where you get spent grain?
Squatch Rocket is a mild IPA with a nice blood orange finish. 30 IBU and 5.8% ABV make it easy to drink, but much more interesting than the national brands. On the off chance you have access to Inland Northwest microbrew offerings, this is definitely worth a try. Highly recommended to anyone, whether hirsute cryptid or mere mortal.
As for complaints, well... the label is a cheap wrap around a plain can. Boo. I am sooooooo offended! [/sarcasm]
I should also note that since this is "Sasquatch Series no. 2," there may be more beasts out there in the wild...
Dogfish Head Brewery is much less local, considering their headquarters in Milton, Delaware, but they are worth a look for anyone looking for adventurous options. I previously reviewed their 90 Minute IPA, and decided to try this milder version for our celebratory drinking as well.
This is slightly stronger at 6% ABV, and much hoppier at 60 IBU. Its citrus hit has a more herbal overtone, and the balance belies the bitterness rating. This is absolutely phenomenal. My only complaint would be that I still like the 90-minute version even more, but if you wand a solid IPA to try, this is worth a look.
Since Dogfish head seems to be in some kind of partnership with the Boston Beer Company which distributes the Samuel Adams brand nationwide, you're more likely to find this than No-Li. If you're butthurt about Bud Light going woke, here's your refuge! Besides, whether you're gay, straight, or kaleidescopic, you should drink better beer anyway. [/snob]
I don't dislike either of these beers, so picking a winner for this post is a challenge. Squatch Rocket is a solid-fuel booster with a nice juicy finish. The 60 minute IPA has bold hops with good balance to support it. In the end, I think I have to give the nod to our local ale from No-Li, but that is in part because the Dogfish head 90 Minute exists to overshadow this brew. I still need to try the 120 version. That should be fun. Here's hoping I can find it somewhere...
