
In a quiet valley framed by golden fields and winding rivers, two villages carry forward an age-old tradition: one bakes, the other brews. Both share the same soil, the same water, and the same winds that turn the old monastery’s windmill — but pride fuels a gentle rivalry between them. This is the world of Beer & Bread, a beautifully balanced two-player board game by Scott Almes, now reimagined through a lovingly crafted soundtrack and art project.
🍞🍺 The Game: Simple Rules, Deep Balance
At its heart, Beer & Bread is a game of dual production and delicate equilibrium. Played over six alternating years — three fruitful and three dry — players must harvest shared resources, build up their storage, and decide whether to produce, upgrade, or plan for the long term. But there’s a twist: only the lesser of your two goods — bread or beer — will count toward your final score. The result is a constant push-and-pull between growth and restraint, between rivalry and harmony.
The board’s clever layout reflects this too. Each player controls one village — their bakery, brewery, and storage — but they must share the central fields and river. The windmill token passes to the player with fewer stored goods, subtly shifting initiative and strategy as seasons pass.
🎼 The Soundtrack: Music for Makers
Inspired by this setting, we composed an original 10-track soundtrack, each piece crafted to evoke a specific phase or emotion from the game. From the abundance of a fruitful harvest to the quiet tension of a dry year, the music follows the same rhythm of rural life: thoughtful, cyclical, and deeply human.
Highlights include:
- Foundations of the Monastery Fields — a nostalgic folk melody honoring shared origins
- Brewmaster’s Waltz — a lively 3/4 tavern tune full of copper and foam
- Baker’s Hymn — a gentle choral ode to firelight and rising loaves
- The Windmill Decides — a whimsical interlude on balance and favor
- Final Tally — a reflective finale that honors both rivalry and respect
Each track features a unique musical motif for either bread or beer, while keeping the overall tone warm and acoustic — fitting for quiet game nights or ambient village playlists.
🎧 You can listen to the full soundtrack on YouTube and your favorite streaming platforms.

🖼️ The Art: A Living, Breathing Village
To complement the music, we created a series of original painted visuals inspired by the game’s theme. These 16:9 illustrations depict key moments in the game — harvests, upgrades, brewhouses, bakery interiors — all rendered in a handcrafted, pastoral style. The brushwork reflects the care and texture of the gameplay itself: no gloss, no spectacle — just the warm hum of daily craft.
Each visual mirrors a song from the soundtrack, creating a cohesive audiovisual experience that breathes life into the game’s world beyond the table.
✨ Why This Project?
Beer & Bread is a rare game — one that tells a complete story with minimal components. It’s both relaxing and tense, inviting and strategic. Our goal was to honor that spirit through music and art, creating something that players can enjoy not just while playing, but while reflecting on the quiet beauty of balance.
Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or someone who simply loves the aesthetics of craft, we invite you to explore this project — and perhaps, to share your own village’s story in bread and beer.