Each player is an Orc beer brewer competing in Orctoberfest, an annual beer festival. Orctoberfest culminates with a beer brewing contest judged by the tribal leaders. The winning brewer is the player who receives the most victory points.
The game is played by displaying 3 orc "judges."
On the players turn, they can either draw recipe cards, or present a beer to a judge by displaying any number of recipe cards. Other players have a chance to challenge the current recipe to that judge by offering a recipe of their own.
The recipe that matches most closely what the judge is looking for wins the judge and its blue ribbon points. On a tie, an additional BRAWL! card may be played by a player in an attempt to sway the judge. Recipes can additionally include ingredient groups which yield a gnome bonus.