Episodes
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This Is Why I Drink...American Lager w/ Steve Hayer of I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest
Steve Hayer, founder of I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest, tells us why he drinks American lager...with Ben Rice. We'll discuss this year's edition of the brewfest, taking place at The Grounds in Roseville, CA on Saturday, October 17, 2026! New venue, new vendors, new experiences! With free parking and…
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Brewery and Brews Talk at Crocker Art Museum
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's Crocker Art Museum to host a Brewery and Brews Talk as part of ArtMix: Beer Garden. Joining him to discuss Sacramento's farm to fork, slow food scene and its effects on local beer, as well as the importance of community and how the beer scene has changed over...
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This Is Why I Drink... Cafecito with Jesse Rivera
On this episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, I sit down with comedian Jesse Rivera to find out why he drinks cafecito and how that reflects his upbringing, his life, his comedy, and how he comports himself in society. Plus we talk about his other obsession, running shows at comedy...
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This Is Why I Drink... Beer Samples at Bike Dog Brewing East Sacramento w/ Runnin' for Rhett's Gina Schauland
Runnin' for Rhett's Gina Schauland joins host Ben Rice for a flight of Bike Dog East Sacramento beers to discuss the upcoming 16th Capitol Beerfest (Saturday, March 7). Gina discusses Runnin' for Rhett's mission, how the beerfest is its main yearly fundraiser, and how to stay active for life…
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This Is Why I Drink... Tequila Soda w/ 3 Limes w/ Stephen Furey
It's a new year here at Barley & Me Pod-uctions (and the world, I suppose), so you know what that means: A prior year recap with comedian Stephen Furey (@scubastevefurey). We discuss our incredible highs and crushing lows over a glass of tequila soda with 3 limes just a few hours before Stephen...
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This Is Why I Drink... Old Fashioneds at The Monk's Cellar w/ Steve Hayer
On this episode, host Ben Rice travels to Roseville, CA to sit down with I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest organizer Steve Hayer to find out why he drinks... Old Fashioneds at The Monk's Cellar in Roseville, CA. Over a glass of the "high octane" version of The Monk's Cellar's Old Fashioned, made by...
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This Is Why I Drink...Thai Iced Tea at Auburn Thai Garden w/ Comedian Garin Flowers
Comedian, former journalist, TikTok personality, and reality TV participant Garin Flowers travels to Auburn Thai Garden in Auburn, CA, to explain why he drinks...thai iced tea. We also delve into that extensive prior career history, finding your footing in comedy, and pursuing your dreams in an...
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This Is Why I Drink... Vanilla Horchata Latte @ Classy Hippie w/ Liv Monahan
Host Ben Rice sits down with journalist, artist, activist, mother, etc., Liv Monahan over a mug of vanilla horchata latte (with an added touch of Leo's Love) from Classie Hippie Coffee & Tea on Broadway in Oak Park, Sacramento. We discuss her career journey, from high school dropout to writing…
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This Is Why I Drink... Coconut Water with Nick Rado
In this latest episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, Ben invites New Zealand comedian Nick Rado to share his favorite beverage at his favorite spot to drink it. Since Nick was simply visiting Sacramento, CA, he decided to pick a spot he'd like to drink his beverage of choice, coconut...
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This Is Why I Drink... Hazy IPA with CJ of The Friendship Podcast
Host Ben Rice chats with fellow podcaster (and musician!) CJ of The Friendship Podcast literally over Slice Beer Co and Old Town Pizza Lincoln (shouts to both for hosting us!) and a pint of Kessel Run Krusher, as we delve into his recent transition to drumming from his reed/brass beginnings, the...
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This Is Why I Drink...Cider w/ Marketer Karen Lewis, at Nitty's Cider
In this episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, I sit down with my good friend and marketer extraordinaire Karen Lewis, an absolute dynamo who immediately seizes the means of production over a pint of Beautiful Blues at Nitty's Cider in Sacramento. WARNING: We are also there on cornhole...
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This Is Why I Drink... Well at Benny's/Q Street Bar & Grill, with Jesse Jones
Host Ben Rice visits Sacramento dive bar mainstay Benny's AKA Q Street Bar & Grill to chat with STAB! Comedy Theater owner Jesse Jones about why he drinks well. Well, well, well, there are so many reasons and ways to pair well vodka with cranberry juice in a desperate attempt to keep costs low…
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This Is Why I Drink... Peppermint Tea w/ Kalea McNeill
This Is Why I Drink... is a new Barley & Me Podcast offshoot, where Ben Rice sits down with a comedian, musician, writer, or other creative type, over a glass of their favorite beverage. Today, we're talking to comedian Kalea McNeill over a cup of STASH Refreshing Peppermint tea. Find out why…
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"I Don't Want To See Your Sad Person Memes" - Femme Fest organizer/improvisor Lacey Carroll, over a Saison at Pangaea Bier Cafe
Welcome to the inaugural name pending offshoot of Barley & Me, where I (host Ben Rice) sit down with interesting people over their favorite drinks at their favorite places, whether it be beer, hard alcohol, coffee, or anything else. Today, we're talking to improvisor Lacey Carroll...
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Ep 185: Erin Latham-Ponneck of Moonlight Brewing and Jon Lehre of Barrel Proof Lounge
Host Ben Rice travels to Santa Rosa, CA, to record with US craft beer legends Moonlight Brewing, with Moonlight's Chaos Management Specialist and Adult In Charge Erin Latham-Ponneck. Joining us for the conversation is comedian Jon Lehre, who is also the booker at Santa Rosa's premier comedy club...
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Episode 184: Andy Klein of Monk's Cellar and BJCP Judge Amber Dalske
Host Ben Rice travels to Roseville, CA to sit down with Andy Klein, brewmaster and owner of the Monk's Cellar, to discuss their upcoming 10th anniversary (taking place October 15-19, 2024). Joining us on this journey is BJCP judge, softball star, and all-around badass Amber Dalske. We sip on some...
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Ep 183: I Can Fight Cancer w/ Organizer Steve Hayer, Recorded at Moksa Brewing
Host Ben Rice travels to Rocklin, CA, to talk about the inaugural I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest with organizer/creator Steve Hayer, beertender at Moksa Brewing and co-founder of Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts. The brewfest is taking place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at The Village Green Park in…
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Episode 150: Trenton Yackzan & Ryan Fry of Sudwerk and Paulina Olivares of Pink Boots Society
Host Ben Rice travels to Davis, CA to sit down with Ryan Fry and Trenton Yackzan of the legendary Sudwerk, with special guest Paulina Olivares of the Sacramento Pink Boots Society and co-host of Barley & Me Presents: Leonard Malting, our beer movie offshoot. In this episode, we talk about the…
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Episode 182: Daniel Savala of CervezaLandia and Enrique Silva of Coatza Brewing
Host Ben Rice travels to Elk Grove, CA, to talk to their newest brewery owner, Enrique Silva of Coatza Brewing, as well as Daniel Savala, partner in CervezaLandia, Sacramento's only bottle shop to focus Mexicano/Chicano-brewed beer. In addition to discussions on the culture itself and the rarity…
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Episode 181: Sacramento Beer Week 2024 (w/ Chris Keeton & David Weiss)
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to sit down with Sacramento Area Brewers Guild president Chris Keeton (head brewer at Alaro) and vice president David Weiss (brewer at Blue Note) to talk about Sacramento Beer Week 2024 (happening April 26-May 5). We discuss this year's iteration of the...
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Episode 180: Kenny Terry of LogOff Brewing & Comedian Birungi Birungi
Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to sit down with the new owner of LogOff Brewing and longtime collaborator Kenny Terry, plus San Diego by way of Seattle by way of Uganda comedian Birungi Birungi. These three new(ish) fathers sit down to discuss parenting techniques, nearly dying…
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Episode 179: Holiday High Life (w/ Stephen Furey, Emma Haney & Alfonso Portela), at Golden Bear
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to his favorite midtown bar, The Golden Bear, to recap 2023 over a bucket of Miller High Life (among other things) with friends and comedians Stephen Furey (@scubastevefurey), Emma Haney (@ehaneycomedy), and Alfonso Portela (@fonsitocaballito). We'll…
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Episode 178: New Helvetia Brewing's New Co-Operative Model (w/ current owner Dave Gull)
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to pay yet another visit to New Helvetia Brewing. This time, he sits down with current owner Dave Gull to discuss New Helvetia's newly-announced move to a public co-operative model and their recent 11th anniversary (and Ben's secret lineup pop-up show at...
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Leonard Malting Reviews! One Pint at a Time (w/ director Aaron Hose, producer Brigitte Hose
Welcome to a brand-new episode of Barley & Me Presents: Leonard Malting, host Ben Rice's beer-centric movie podcast with co-hosts Paulina Olivares & Corky McDonnell. On this episode, we discuss the new beer documentary One Pint at a Time, with director Aaron Hose and producer Brigitte Hose....
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Episode 177: Andrew Mohsenzadegan of Flatland Brewing & F*** Cancer's Steve Hayer
Host Ben Rice travels to Elk Grove, CA, to discuss Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts co-found Steve Hayer's fundraising campaign F Cancer, with Flatland Brewing owner Andrew Mohsenzadegan. Over pints of delicious Flatland beers, we discuss the reason Hayer started this campaign, how you can support it...
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Episode 176: Tim Carpenter of Woodhouse Blending & Brewing and Comedian Mac Ruiz
Host Ben Rice travels to Santa Cruz, CA, to talk to Woodhouse Blending & Brewing's do-it-all guy Tim Carpenter and Santa Cruz-based comedian Mac Ruiz. We'll tackle Woodhouse's support of Santa Cruz's local arts community, tap line cleanliness, and second-hand pop culture when we're not busy...
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Episode 174: Comedian Jozalyn Sharp & Brennan Fleming of Dunloe Brewing
Host Ben Rice travels to Davis, CA, to celebrate Dunloe Brewing's 6th anniversary weekend with owner/brewer Brennan Fleming, plus comedian Jozalyn Sharp, hot off the release of her debut album Five Ten Two Eighty. Over some pints of absolutely incredible sours, we go deep on the rewards of…
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Episode 173: Dave Gull of New Helvetia & A Little Off the Top's Jason Dunn and Justin Williams
Barley & Me host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's New Helvetia Brewing to tag team owner Dave Gull with the fine fellows, the bombastic barbers, the jazzed-up joys Jason Dunn and Justin Williams of the A Little Off The Top Podcast. We'll crisscross topics like city planning, podcasting for…
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Episode 172: Sacramento Beer Week 2023 w/ Mai-Sam Baumann
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to sit down with the Sacramento Area Brewer's Guild's executive administrator Mai-Sam Baumann, to discuss Sacramento Beer Week 2023, kicking off April 22 and ending April 30. We discuss the transition to local focus, how the pandemic affected the craft...
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Episode 171: Ryan Campagna of Touchstone Brewing & Jess Lemos of WEAVE, Inc.
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA to talk to Touchstone Brewing owner/brewery & Sacramento Area Brewers Guild president Ryan Campagna and WEAVE Inc. community educator Jess Lemos about WEAVE's Safe Night Out campaign, Touchstone's mission statement and growth plan, and fashion. Make it make...
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Episode 170: Courtney Edwards of KC Kombucha and Director Preston Allen of Unhoused Neighbors
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to visit KC Kombucha in Oak Park to talk with owner Courtney Edwards and filmmaker/director Preston Allen about kombucha's place in the fermentation world, as well as Preston's upcoming documentary Unhoused Neighbors. We explore kombucha as az preferred...
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Episode 169: Amanda Brincat & Kathryn Altman of The Teetotalist and Grace Loescher of The Creation District
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento to discuss the world of NA craft beverages (not just beer!) with the owners of the hottest new Alcohol-Free bar in town, Amanda Brincat and Kathryn Altman of The Teetotalist! Joining the conversation is artist, performer, activist, and all around badass Grace...
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Episode 168: Saison's Greetings w/ Comedians Stephen Furey, Emma Haney & Becky Lynn
Host Ben Rice invites his favorite comedy friends (and lover oh my) Stephen Furey (@scubastevefurey), Emma Haney (@ehaneycomedy), and Becky Lynn (@ohthatsbecky) into his (their) home for his/their yearly winter recap. This year, we're tackling saisons for our year-end Saison's Greetings episode!…
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Episode 167: Lauren Houston, Lauren Price, and Charlotte Crott of Mindscape Fermentations
Host Ben Rice travels to Rocklin, CA to talk with the mind(scapes) behind Mindscape Fermentations, Lauren Houston (data director), Lauren Price (microbe manager), and Charlotte Crott (enzyme executive) in the long-awaited(?) episode 167. Not solely a microbrewery, Mindscape instead, as the name...
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Ep166: Maira Kimura, Yumi Shimada & Fernanda Ueno of Japas Cervejaria & Pooah Alon of Beerternational
Host Ben Rice travels to Sunnyvale, CA, to sit down with Japanese-Brazilian Japas Cervejaria's co-founders Maira Kimura (brewer), Yumi Shimada (creative director), and Fernanda Ueno (brewer), plus Beerternational co-founder and CEO Pooah Alon, after a day of complete madness as a part of the…
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Leonard Malting Reviews! Girl Beer (Documentary, 2022) w/ Director Marena Domingo
In this episode of Barley & Me Presents: Leonard Malting, host Ben Rice and half he crew (Paulina Olivares of Drake's Brewing and president of the Sacramento Pink Boots Society and NOT Corky McDonnell of the Dare Daniel Podcast) discuss and review the new beer documentary, Girl Beer, with…
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Episode 165: Nick Vellanoweth of Nitty's Cider & Josh Kress of Husick's Taphouse
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA to meet with Clarksburg, CA's finest, Nick Vellanoweth, owner of Nitty's Cider, and Josh Kress, owner of Husick's Taphouse and all-around too-busy guy. We talk about business ownership pre-, during, and post-pandemic, the insane costs of keeping cool...
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Ep164: Artist Brian Wallace at Out of Bounds Craft Kitchen & Biergarten
Host Ben Rice travels to Folsom, CA to talk to local artist and children's book author (and more, just listen) Brian Wallace over some Out of Bounds beers at Out of Bounds Craft Kitchen & Biergarten. It turns out that everyone is dealing with some form of burnout, so no OOB reps were able to…
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Episode 163: Sacramento Beer Week 2022 w/ Erle Mankin of Jackrabbit Brewing/Sacramento Area Brewer's Guild
Host Ben Rice travels to West Sacramento to discuss Sacramento Beer Week 2022 (April 22 through May 1) with the president of the Sacramento Area Brewer's Guild/co-owner of Jackrabbit Brewing Erle Mankin. We discuss the kickoff Sac Mac & Beer Festival taking place on April 23 (go to...
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Episode 162: Melissa McCann of the Women's International Beer Summit
Host Ben Rice grabs a pint on his patio with Melissa McCann, the executive director of the Women's International Beer Summit, part of the newly-minted Women's Craft Fermentation Alliance. Over a glass of Crowns & Hops's Black Is Beautiful pecan pie stout, we discuss the creation of this endeavor,...
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Episode 161: Mario Benjamin & Chaz Hubbard of Hella Coastal & Comedian Karinda Dobbins (recorded at Federation Brewing, Oakland, CA)
Host Ben Rice travels to Federation Brewing in Oakland, CA, to talk with Hella Coastal's Mario Benjamin & Chaz Hubbard and comedian Karinda Dobbins. We discuss Hella Coastal's alternating proprietorship arrangement with Federation and how that differs from contract brewing, aiming to become the...
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Episode 160: Art Moye of Full Circle Brewing & Comedian Ta'Vi
Host Ben Rice sits down with Art Moye, the owner of Full Circle Brewing in Fresno, CA and Ta'Vi, comedian and co-host of the podcast It's Crazy You're In My Business, at SacYard Community Taphouse in Sacramento to discuss Full Circle's eight Black History Month collaborations with black brewers…
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Episode 159: New Year, Old Beer (At Campus Brewing w/ Corky McDonnell & Paulina Olivares)
Host Ben Rice travels to Campus Brewing in West Sacramento to complete his 2021 recap/2022 preview episode with his Barley & Me Presents: Leonard Malting co-hosts Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) and Paulina Olivares (Pink Boots Society/Drake's). Alas, by the time you hear this, Campus will…
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Episode 158: New Baby, Same Craft Culture
Host Ben Rice recaps what is going on in his life, including a new child and too many comedy shows. But most importantly, he is seeking feedback about the ramifications of Brienne Allen's Instagram Story from 6 months ago that went viral and led to an increased awareness in the (mis)treatment of...
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Episode 157: Troy Robinson of Quirk Brewing & Phil Neumann of Mainstem Malt
Host Ben Rice travels (digitally) to Walla Walla, Washington, simply for an excuse to say Walla Walla, Washington over and over again. While there, he also manages to interview Troy Robinson of Quirk Brewing and Phil Neumann of Mainstem Malt about locally-sourced, salmon-safe ingredients in…
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Episode 156: Jim Noss & Matt Risse of LogOff Brewing
Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to talk to owners Jim Noss & Matt Risse about opening a brewery during a global pandemic, celebrating an anniversary and even expanding during said pandemic, and fighting for space in the craft beer market as things start to return to normal. We also...
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Episode 155: People's Harvest Time Jubilee/Brew Your Story w/ Rodg Little & Geoff Scott of Oak Park Brewing/People's Beer Co.
Host Ben Rice travels to the Oak Park area of Sacramento to talk to Oak Park Brewing/People's Beer Co. brewers Rodg Little and Geoff Scott about the first annual People's Harvest Time Jubilee, taking place at 30 black-owned breweries across the world, with the kickoff at OPB on Saturday, October…
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Episode 154: Author Tara Nurin + Herlinda Heras (Brew HaHa) & Melissa McCann (Women's International Beer Summit)
We talk Tara's exhaustive research and travel for this book, the shockingly overlooked and underreported number of women involved in the founding of the modern American craft beer movement, Brienne Allan's hard push for equality in the craft brew space, and some interesting beer history. Plus!...
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Episode 153: Erik Schmid of Red Bus Brewing & Comedian Shahera Hyatt
Host Ben Rice travels to Folsom, CA, to sit down with Red Bus Brewing owner/brewer/minibus enthusiast Erik Schmidt and comedian/activist/Moving Van Show host/co-creator Shahera Hyatt to discuss the intricacies of beer and wine, Oktoberfest, and the 5th anniversary of Shahera's roaming outdoor...
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Episode 152: Kelly Meyer of New Braunfels Brewing & Music Journalist Aaron Carnes
Host Ben Rice travels (digitally) to New Braunfels, Texas, and Sacramento, CA to interview Kelly Meyer of New Braunfels Brewing and music journalist Aaron Carnes. We talk about their approaches to their new books (Kelly is the author of "How NOT To Start a Damn Brewery," which just released an...
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