We would like your feedback on the whole convention - from registration, to the facility, the game selection and all.
Please leave you thoughts in the comments!
Ludophilia V - "Its not a disease!" The blog for the 5th annual Ludophilia - the boardgaming convention of the As Yet Unnamed Gaming Club of Crystal Lake (and beyond).
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Get your rest, stretch and prepare to game!
We start Thursday at 8:00 AM!
We are located at the Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, at 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014.
We have lots of games - www.tinyurl.com/ludo5lib
We WILL have lots of fun.
Join us!
We are located at the Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, at 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014.
We have lots of games - www.tinyurl.com/ludo5lib
We WILL have lots of fun.
Join us!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The Official Beers of Ludophilia V
This deserves its own post - as our Brewmaster reports...
Ludophilia 5 Chocolate Oatmeal Stout - THE official beer of Ludophilia. An imperial oatmeal stout aged on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and oak. Cellar aged for over a year. I don't want to brag or anything, but this beer is delicious.
2 Sheep for 1 Wheat Beer - My third batch of this beer and this one is the best. Made with all Amarillo hops it is hoppy but refreshing. I just had my first bottle of this batch and I am pleased. It's a bit cloudy, but it is a wheat beer.
Rage Quit Double IPA - This one is still in the fermenter being dry hopped. I am a little concerned about the the final gravity, it might be a touch sweet, but it tastes good. I will update you in a couple weeks when I bottle it.
Crash and Burn Porter - Well, the first batch of C&B Porter went bad. Not sure what happened but a bottle exploded and it smelled pretty bad. Shit happens when you homebrew and this is one of those things that happens. Anyway, I brewed another batch and it is coming along nicely. What are the odds I fuck this up twice in a row?
And a special treat...
Shai Hulud Spice Mead - A medium sweet mead made with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla. It's the mead the Fremen would make if the made mead, well except they would use real "spice". It is not clearing like I would like it too, but it will taste good cloudy. I will just bring some opaque mugs.
And some others in the line up:
Oh, I also have a couple other things that I will bring along.
Merry Freaking Christmas - My spiced winter warmer. Hey, it's not Christmas, but who cares.
Hyperbole - My first Oak Aged Imperial Stout. I have about 20 bottles of this left. It is close to 2 years old now. I will bring a couple along so you can taste it.
Vanilla Mead - No cute name here, just some medium sweet Vanilla mead that will knock you on your ass if you drink too much.
Cherry Mead - Ever so slightly sweet mead made with cherries. Most of this is still aging, but I have two bottles that I bottled as samplers as it was aging that I can bring so I can get some feedback on how it is coming along.
Mead - no names or anything here, just a 15% alcohol Mead that some people think tastes like cough syrup. Is that a bad thing? You can be the judge. It is mellowing a bit as it ages.
For those wondering about the future:
And one more thing, if you are already thinking ahead to Ludophilia 6 (and who isn't), I already have two beers aging that will be ready next year. The first is a Barley Wine brewed with Belgian Candi Sugar. This one will be the official beer of Ludophilia 6.
The second beer is a VERY high gravity Imperial Stout that will be called Imperial Stout Destroyer. If you have had Bourbon County Imperial Stout that is what I am shooting for. Both are oak aged on oak soaked in bourbon and should be very tasty.
Thinking ahead to Ludophlia 7 I am thinking an oak aged Wee Heavy, aged on Oak soaked in Scotch of course :-)
Ludophilia 5 Chocolate Oatmeal Stout - THE official beer of Ludophilia. An imperial oatmeal stout aged on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and oak. Cellar aged for over a year. I don't want to brag or anything, but this beer is delicious.
2 Sheep for 1 Wheat Beer - My third batch of this beer and this one is the best. Made with all Amarillo hops it is hoppy but refreshing. I just had my first bottle of this batch and I am pleased. It's a bit cloudy, but it is a wheat beer.
Rage Quit Double IPA - This one is still in the fermenter being dry hopped. I am a little concerned about the the final gravity, it might be a touch sweet, but it tastes good. I will update you in a couple weeks when I bottle it.
Crash and Burn Porter - Well, the first batch of C&B Porter went bad. Not sure what happened but a bottle exploded and it smelled pretty bad. Shit happens when you homebrew and this is one of those things that happens. Anyway, I brewed another batch and it is coming along nicely. What are the odds I fuck this up twice in a row?
And a special treat...
Shai Hulud Spice Mead - A medium sweet mead made with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla. It's the mead the Fremen would make if the made mead, well except they would use real "spice". It is not clearing like I would like it too, but it will taste good cloudy. I will just bring some opaque mugs.
And some others in the line up:
Oh, I also have a couple other things that I will bring along.
Merry Freaking Christmas - My spiced winter warmer. Hey, it's not Christmas, but who cares.
Hyperbole - My first Oak Aged Imperial Stout. I have about 20 bottles of this left. It is close to 2 years old now. I will bring a couple along so you can taste it.
Vanilla Mead - No cute name here, just some medium sweet Vanilla mead that will knock you on your ass if you drink too much.
Cherry Mead - Ever so slightly sweet mead made with cherries. Most of this is still aging, but I have two bottles that I bottled as samplers as it was aging that I can bring so I can get some feedback on how it is coming along.
Mead - no names or anything here, just a 15% alcohol Mead that some people think tastes like cough syrup. Is that a bad thing? You can be the judge. It is mellowing a bit as it ages.
For those wondering about the future:
And one more thing, if you are already thinking ahead to Ludophilia 6 (and who isn't), I already have two beers aging that will be ready next year. The first is a Barley Wine brewed with Belgian Candi Sugar. This one will be the official beer of Ludophilia 6.
The second beer is a VERY high gravity Imperial Stout that will be called Imperial Stout Destroyer. If you have had Bourbon County Imperial Stout that is what I am shooting for. Both are oak aged on oak soaked in bourbon and should be very tasty.
Thinking ahead to Ludophlia 7 I am thinking an oak aged Wee Heavy, aged on Oak soaked in Scotch of course :-)
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Soon!
Three weeks and a day until go time.
Remember, if you cannot make the entire convention, you can always drop in for a day, a half day or whatnot. We are all about the gaming...and beer...and socializing. So, anyway, come on over if you can.
We are at the very hospitable Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, at 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. Thursday, May 28th (8:00am) through Sunday, May 31st (2:00pm), 2015.
Hopefully we will see you there!
Remember, if you cannot make the entire convention, you can always drop in for a day, a half day or whatnot. We are all about the gaming...and beer...and socializing. So, anyway, come on over if you can.
We are at the very hospitable Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, at 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. Thursday, May 28th (8:00am) through Sunday, May 31st (2:00pm), 2015.
Hopefully we will see you there!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Practice, practice, practice.
Yes, that is how you get to Carnegie Hall, and how you get ready for Ludophilia!
International Tabletop Day - if you want a one convention prep, try this place in Palatine, IL
Some of our Ludophiliacs were there last year, and a good time was had by all.
International Tabletop Day - if you want a one convention prep, try this place in Palatine, IL
Some of our Ludophiliacs were there last year, and a good time was had by all.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Ludophilia and craft beers/homebrewing
Last year, our Founder (Tempus42) only partly joked when he said our con was half gaming, and half beer exposition. In particular, two of our gamers brought fantastic home-brewed beers that I would stack up against many commercially produced products. Not simply content to dazzle with home made...many a high quality commercially made craft beer was provided (especially by one of our two home-brew masters) Firestone Walker, Avery, Dog Fish Head and many others.
In the comments to this section, I would like to gauge interest in either formalizing this beer exposition, so to speak (award for best home brew?), keeping it informal, or even making a catalog like we have for the games, but for beverages.
UPDATE:
The labels are in!
In the comments to this section, I would like to gauge interest in either formalizing this beer exposition, so to speak (award for best home brew?), keeping it informal, or even making a catalog like we have for the games, but for beverages.
UPDATE:
The labels are in!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Please add your updates to the Game Library
The Game Library spreadsheet is up at www.tinyurl.com/ludo5lib.
You can help everyone by making a few simple updates:
1) On the "Data Entry: Attendees" tab, enter your name and mark the days that you're planning on attending.
2) On the "Data Entry: Bringing" tab, add any games that you can bring to share.
3) On the "Data Entry: Requests" tab, add any games that you would like to ask someone else to bring.
If you have any questions, ask here!
You can help everyone by making a few simple updates:
1) On the "Data Entry: Attendees" tab, enter your name and mark the days that you're planning on attending.
2) On the "Data Entry: Bringing" tab, add any games that you can bring to share.
3) On the "Data Entry: Requests" tab, add any games that you would like to ask someone else to bring.
If you have any questions, ask here!
Monday, February 16, 2015
I went to Ludophilia 5 and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.....
Ok, hopefully not a *lousy* t-shirt. But since I've finally gotten an artist (my son, Alex) to draft us up a logo and some art, I'm strongly considering getting some t-shirt printed for Ludophilia this year, if enough of you are interested in getting one. I'm looking at customink.com, which can do them for around $10-15 (depending on colors and how many we order), or else I still need to check out the prices at a local place my wife has worked with.
The art will look look something like below. Colors and font are not necessarily final yet. But I dig the hip '50s Parker Brothers vibe of the drawing Alex came up with.
If you'd be interested in a shirt, comment here or email me to let me know. I'm just taking a straw poll at this point.
UPDATE: An Aside from LTC John... anyone else interested (as I am) in a shirt with this on it?
The art will look look something like below. Colors and font are not necessarily final yet. But I dig the hip '50s Parker Brothers vibe of the drawing Alex came up with.
If you'd be interested in a shirt, comment here or email me to let me know. I'm just taking a straw poll at this point.
UPDATE: An Aside from LTC John... anyone else interested (as I am) in a shirt with this on it?
Friday, January 2, 2015
We have a date and a location!
WHAT IS LUDOPHILIA?
For any of you who have missed it until now, Ludophilia is the name we've given to our annual 4-day boardgaming extravaganza in the northwest suburbs of Chicago! It's much too friendly and informal to be called a "convention". It's just an excuse for friends and friends-of-friends to get together in a large-ish hotel conference room with a couple hundred board games and have the chance to strategize, socialize, and relax uninterrupted. I bring a select library of games (and other people bring their favorites, too, of course), and then it's open house at the hotel Thursday through Sunday! Set up your own lodging plans if you want to stay overnight, and everyone is responsible for their own food and drink.
SAVE THE DATE
The weekend for Ludophilia V will be Thursday, May 28th (8:00am) through Sunday, May 31st (2:00pm), 2015. Please mark your calendars! I'll be sending out a number of reminders and additional information as the time draws nearer.
SAME GREAT LOCATION AS LAST YEAR
Ludophilia V will again be held at the Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. Phone: 815-477-3500. http://www.countryinns.com/crystal-lake-hotel-il-60014/ilcryst This hotel is right off the main drag in Crystal Lake, basically right next door to a Culver's and very near a number of other places to eat as well. We have the exact same deal as last year, the same room that I think was plenty large to hold us; same cost; and we can again bring in our own food and drink as we wish.
We have a small block of rooms held for us, so if you're planning on staying for one or more nights, call and make your reservation right away. Be sure to ask for our special group rate.
ADMISSION COST
As I say, the room cost is staying the same ($175/day) and we do still have a small buffer in the bank ($361.84), so I'm leaving the admission cost for everyone the same as it's been as well: $10 per person per day, with a "buy 3 days get the 4th day free" bonus for those who pay in advance. This is strictly to cover our costs. If we collect the same amount as we have the last 2 years, we should be able to cover the cost of the room within our buffer.
You can start registering now by sending check or cash to me at :
Brad Johnson
1517 Driftwood Lane
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Remember, the early registration bonus of "buy 3 days get the 4th day free" is good until April 15th (tax day!) Send just $30 now for full access to the entire 4-day weekend!
For any of you who have missed it until now, Ludophilia is the name we've given to our annual 4-day boardgaming extravaganza in the northwest suburbs of Chicago! It's much too friendly and informal to be called a "convention". It's just an excuse for friends and friends-of-friends to get together in a large-ish hotel conference room with a couple hundred board games and have the chance to strategize, socialize, and relax uninterrupted. I bring a select library of games (and other people bring their favorites, too, of course), and then it's open house at the hotel Thursday through Sunday! Set up your own lodging plans if you want to stay overnight, and everyone is responsible for their own food and drink.
SAVE THE DATE
The weekend for Ludophilia V will be Thursday, May 28th (8:00am) through Sunday, May 31st (2:00pm), 2015. Please mark your calendars! I'll be sending out a number of reminders and additional information as the time draws nearer.
SAME GREAT LOCATION AS LAST YEAR
Ludophilia V will again be held at the Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. Phone: 815-477-3500. http://www.countryinns.com/crystal-lake-hotel-il-60014/ilcryst This hotel is right off the main drag in Crystal Lake, basically right next door to a Culver's and very near a number of other places to eat as well. We have the exact same deal as last year, the same room that I think was plenty large to hold us; same cost; and we can again bring in our own food and drink as we wish.
We have a small block of rooms held for us, so if you're planning on staying for one or more nights, call and make your reservation right away. Be sure to ask for our special group rate.
ADMISSION COST
As I say, the room cost is staying the same ($175/day) and we do still have a small buffer in the bank ($361.84), so I'm leaving the admission cost for everyone the same as it's been as well: $10 per person per day, with a "buy 3 days get the 4th day free" bonus for those who pay in advance. This is strictly to cover our costs. If we collect the same amount as we have the last 2 years, we should be able to cover the cost of the room within our buffer.
You can start registering now by sending check or cash to me at :
Brad Johnson
1517 Driftwood Lane
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Remember, the early registration bonus of "buy 3 days get the 4th day free" is good until April 15th (tax day!) Send just $30 now for full access to the entire 4-day weekend!
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