Brass: Birmingham Board Game

About this product

Build an industrial empire through canals, railways and calculated investment.

A heavyweight economic strategy game of industry, networks and changing opportunities.

Develop industries, expand transport networks and outmanoeuvre rival entrepreneurs across two eras of England’s Industrial Revolution.

Product Description

Step into the West Midlands during the Industrial Revolution and compete to build the most successful industrial network of the age.

In Brass: Birmingham, players establish and develop industries while connecting cities through canals and railways. Cotton Mills, Coal Mines, Iron Works, Manufacturers, Potteries and Breweries all play their part as you balance resources, income, development and expansion.

The game unfolds across two distinct periods: the Canal Era from 1770–1830 and the Rail Era from 1830–1870. Victory Points are scored from your transport links and developed industries, with the player holding the most points after the Rail Era winning the game. 

Every turn presents difficult economic choices. Build new industries, expand your network, develop higher-level industries, sell goods, take loans or scout for flexible Wild cards. Money spent also affects turn order, the player who spends the least during a round acts first in the next one — creating another layer of planning around every investment. 

Brass: Birmingham retains the core foundations of Brass while introducing its own industries, strategies and opportunities, creating a complete standalone economic strategy experience.

View the Brass: Birmingham Rulebook (PDF)

Why You’ll Love It

• Deep economic strategy: Every investment, loan, resource and sale can influence your long-term position.
• Build an interconnected network: Develop canal and rail links across the West Midlands to reach new opportunities.
• Six industries to manage: Build Cotton Mills, Coal Mines, Iron Works, Manufacturers, Potteries and Breweries.
• Two evolving eras: Your strategy must adapt as the game progresses from canals to railways.
• Clever variable turn order: Spending less can move you earlier in the next round.
• Hand management matters: Cards determine where and what you can build while Scout actions provide additional flexibility.
• Dynamic setup and strong replay value: Changing opportunities ensure that each industrial empire develops differently.

Quick Details

• Publisher: Roxley Games
• Game Design: Martin Wallace
• Game Development: Gavan Brown & Matt Tolman
• Players: 2–4
• Recommended Age: 14+
• Play Time: 60–120 minutes
• Game Type: Heavyweight economic strategy board game
• Setting: West Midlands, England, 1770–1870
• Eras: Canal Era and Rail Era

In the Box

• 1 Game Board
• 4 Player Mats
• 4 Character Tiles
• 180 Industry Tiles
• 56 Link Tiles
• 9 Merchant Tiles
• 64 Location and Industry Cards
• 8 Wild Cards
• 4 Player Aids
• 4 Victory Point Markers
• 4 Income Markers
• 30 Coal Cubes
• 18 Iron Cubes
• 15 Beer Barrels
• 77 Money Tokens
• 1 Rulebook

Good to Know

• Standalone game: Brass: Birmingham does not require the original Brass to play.
• Two-era structure: Canal and Rail eras have different network-building considerations.
• Heavyweight strategy: This is designed as a deeper economic and network-building game.
• Introductory option included: The rulebook contains a shorter introductory game that plays only the Canal Era for players learning the system.