Barley & Me

Host Ben Rice travels to Fort Rock Brewing in Rancho Cordova, CA, to sit in on the judging at the 22nd Annual Queen of Beer homebrewing competition. He is joined by national beer jduges Tracy Bethune, Melissa McCann, and Cynthia Lee, as well as Fort Rock Brewing co-owner Heidi Wilder. We chat about the life and times of the beer judge, opening your own brewery, how the Internet and information availability have affected beer competitions, and Canadian kid brewers, plus how the world of beer is just one big dysfunctional family. Stick around at the end, for the full list of 2018 winners, including Best in Show. All this and more, on episode 91 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Queen of Beer, including how to register, at www.queenofbeer.beer. And look out for the upcoming collab between Fort Rock Brewing and winner Jess Finlay-Schultz at next year's Great American Beer Festival!This episode was recorded at Fort Rock Brewing. Follow them at @fortrockbrewing. Our follow-up with Melissa McCann, to get

Host Ben Rice travels to Drake's: The Barn in West Sacramento to bring together a rag tag team of podcasters to create the ultimate Holiday Podcast. Joining Ben on this adventure is CJ of The Friendship Podcast, Johnny Flores of Serious Talk, Seriously, and Delayna Fitzgerald, the event and community coordinator for Drake's: The Barn. In a world where three podcast hosts and a civilian try to make the perfect episode, Delayna actually takes the reins to guide us to the ultimate Holiday Podcast episode. We try out Drake's De-Egg-Nog-inizer (two ways), talk about The Barn's recent successful Camp Fire Benefit Concert, re-imagine the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic "Kindergarten Cop," learn that Johnny was a horrendous child and a filthy liar about where he went to school, find the ideal Couple's Costumes, and play a rousing game of Never Have I Ever, Holiday Edition! All this and more, on episode 90 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Check out Serious Talk, Seriously and everything else Johnny Flores has going on at stspo

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to speak with head brewer Chris Keeton and head chef Jason Azevedo of Alaro Brewing. We talk about Alaro's gold medal in IPA at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival, in just their third month of existence, honoring their brewery location's history, and the ideal BBQ sauce. Plus! how UC Davis is trying to save the malt world, old-school brewery sytem quirks, food and beer pairing and how beer pushes food and vice versa, underground meat sales, Alaro's beer naming conventions, and keeping chefs on their toes. All this and more, on episode 89 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Alaro's history, their beers, and their seasonal menus by following them on social media @alarobrewingFollow Barley & Me @barleyandmepodThis episode is brought to you by the Art of Beer Invitational, returning to the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento on January 25, 2019. Get tickets at www.artofbeerinvitational.comThis episode is also brought to you by ABV Magazine, the Bay A

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's Bru Co Taproom to chat with owner Justin MacClanahan, compete in a modified version of Edward 40 Hands, and conduct unscripted man-on-the-street interviews with passersby over short rib tacos.We'll talk about business ownership, family, beer discovery, and social media promotions, while also talking to complete strangers about The Queen of Beer competition (December 8 at Fort Rock Brewing), internet love affairs, discovering people and places, starting podcasts, conspiracy theories, pursuing your dreams, recovering from failure, running and drinking for charity (with the Hash House Harriers and the Red Dress Run) and so so much more. Enjoy!Visit BruCo at 902 K St, Sacramento, CA, or online at brucotaproom.com. Follow them on social media @brucotaproomLearn more about the Queen of Beer, or enter your brew, at queenofbeer.beer. Registration ends December 1, 2018, with the competition taking place at Fort Rock Brewing in Rancho Cordova, CA, on December 8, 2018 at 10am.You ca

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA to sit down with Alex Larrabee, co-owner and brewer at Big Stump Brewing Company, and comedian Dejan Tyler, to discuss beer creativity and other things. Dejan discusses his approach to comedy, which has led to the release of his first comedy album, "Get Rich or Diabetes," on Uproar Comedy, and the path Alex took to go from beer drinker to award-winning homebrewer to brewery owner. We take a deep dive into the creative process of brewers and comedians, including how to create a good product, how to grow as a creator, and how to expand your brand. Plus! A discussion of the various souring processes, malt liquors, beer naming issues, retro video games, and that old chestnut - the can vs bottle debate. All this and so much more, on this episode of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Learn more about Big Stump Brewing on social media @bigstumpbrewcoFollow Dejan Tyler's exploits @dtyler916Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepodYou can find Dejan's debut album, "Get Rich

Host Ben Rice travels to Eureka, CA, to speak with Lost Coast Brewery's head brewer Briar Bush and Savage Henry Comedy Festival participant Nando Molina. We chat about beer history, including Lost Coast's place in beer history as the first woman-owned and -operated craft brewery in America, as well as women's history in beer. We delve into Lost Coast's standout artwork and how they maintain their old-school cool while keeping up with the times. We talk about Ben's recent "sports" injury and fantastic fishing stories, Nando's foray into the world of comedy, and Briar's epic glassware collection, PLUS how to properly pack beer for air travel and Savage Henry Independent Times's new comedy club, freshly opened in Eureka, and a breakdown and discussion of IPA trends. All this and more, on episode 86 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Lost Coast and take a tour of their facility at www.lostcoast.comFollow Lost Coast on social media @lostcoastbreweryGet your Nando Molina on via his Twitter, @nandoman5150

Host Ben Rice travels to the 2018 California Craft Beer Summit to conduct mini-episodes with brewers, vendors, and beer industry professionals. This is the 3rd of 3 episodes recorded during that trip. In Segment One, Ben chats with old friends Scott Williams of Moksa Brewing and Delayna Fitzgerald of Drake's at the Barn, to discuss brewery expansion, as Moksa plans to increase its production area and Drake's Brewing is opening a new satellite location in Sacramento. We also talk about the importance of building community. In segment two, Ben sits down with Stan Brown of Barnum Mechanical and Will Fox of Pacific Island Beer Company to talk about how there are no shortcuts in brewery building and how passion drives the industry. And in our final segment, we speak with Jason VerHoef of BioGill and Kevin Martino of Chev Kev's Specialty Foods to talk about waste management and beer snacks, two items we tend to overlook when downing some tasty suds. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepodFo

Host Ben Rice travels to the California Craft Beer Summit 2018 to conduct short-form interviews with brewers and industry professionals. In the 2nd of 3 episodes from this event, there are two segments: the first with Alex Larrabee of Big Stump Brewing (Sacramento), Kelly Lohrmeyer of Yakima Chief Hops, and Tanner Davies of Country Malt Group, to talk about how hops, malt, water, and yeast come together to make phenomenal beer and forge friendships. Then in segment two, Ben chats with Josie Becker of Common Space Brewing (Los Angeles) and Rob Cartwright of DataQuencher to dig deep on surprising beer trends and how non-brewer brewery workers can surprise you. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me across social media @barleyandmepodFind out more about Big Stump Brewing @bigstumpbrewcoGet into that Yakima Gold with Yakima Chief Hops @yakimachiefhops on Twitter and @yakimachief on InstagramGet roasted by Country Malt Group @countrymaltDiscover Common Space Brewing @commonspacelaLearn more about DataQuencher @dataquencher

Host Ben Rice travels to the 2018 California Craft Beer Summit to talk to beer industry near and far about themselves, their beer, and their specialties. This is the first of three episodes recorded there. The first segment features Meghan Peltz, the Sensory Manager at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. We dive into the quality control world of the craft beer industry, its importance, and how to separate that nerdy side from the beer enjoyment side, plus how Meghan found herself in this interesting career. In segment two, we chat with Mike Brennan and Annie Johnson of PicoBrew, the innovate automated homebrew system. Mike doubles as a representative of the Master Brewers Association and Annie was the 2013 American Homebrewer of the Year. We catch up on old times, talk about the changing beer industry, the burgeoning craft beer cocktail scene, and what's new from PicoBrew, plus fart jokes and more! Enjoy!Follow Sierra Nevada @sierranevadaFind out more about PicoBrew and their existing and upcoming products at www.

Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to meet with David Mathis of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, Strad Meadery's Dan Slort, and Fort Rock Brewing's Heidi Wilder, to discuss the upcoming Barrel District Experience event. Longtime listeners may have heard rumors of this upcoming project, celebrating the burgeoning beer, mead, and spirits community in Rancho Cordova. The grand opening/kickoff event is happening Saturday, October 6, featuring live music, art, drinks, and food throughout the Barrel District. Get tickets and more info at www.barreldistrict.com. In this episode, we talk about the events planned, the growth of the Rancho Cordova craft community, and other exciting news from the Rancho Cordova community, plus some dad jokes about business ownership. If you haven't had a chance to check out what is happening in Rancho the last few years, this is your chance to sample some wares and meet the people who have helped lift Rancho Cordova from empty space to thriving community. Enjoy!

Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to speak Jason Williams, Duncan Alexander, and Jack Alexander of the newly-opened Burning Barrel Brewing. You may remember Jack and Duncan from episode 61, which was recorded during their planning and build-out phase. We now catch up with them 5 weeks after their grand opening, to compare and contrast their expections versus reality of brewery ownership and operation, plus what they think is in store for the future. As we continue to chat, we eschew the classic three-tiered/tied-house distribution regulations to find out how the current craft beer boom is impacting that ancient law. We also discuss military service and the importance of being good with your hands. Plus! Color-changing beers, new school beer marketing, and Burning Barrel's already-ordered expansion. All this and more, on another jam-packed episode of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Follow Burning Barrel Brewing @burningbarrelbrewco. Check out their website, www.burningbarrelbrewco.com.And don't forget to fol

Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to sit down with Old Hangtown Beer Works's head brewer/owner Michael Frenn and sales director Tyler Getz, as well as beer blogger Amber Clemons of Hopular Culture. Together, we discuss the role classic beer styles play in the modern American craft beer world, and Michael discusses his humble beginnings as a teensie tiny nanobrewery. As we take a stroll down Memory Lane, discussing beer greats Michael Jackson and Fred Eckhardt, we also delve into our guests' beer beginnings, including what led Amber to start her beer blog, Hopular Culture. Plus Ben talks about his best day ever, Tyler goes hunting for John Connor, Mike brings his beloved Ale Camino into the shop, and Amber helps her non-craft-minded friends learn to enjoy beer. All this, plus an in-depth discussion of the ancient Steinbier style, imaginary bluegrass bands, how millenials are killing breakfast, and so much more, on episode 80 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Old Hangtown Beer Works at ww

Host Ben Rice travels to Placerville, CA, to sit down with Solid Ground Brewing's KC and Scott, with BJCP judge and professional brewer Ellen Sherrill in tow, to dig deep into the depths of start-up breweries. Celebrating 13 months in existence, but decades of experience in the beer and wine industry, KC and Scott openly discuss the reasons why they opened in Placerville instead of a metropolitan area, the trials of opening a full production brewery without a focus on IPAs, and exceeding expectations. Listen as we go in-depth on how barrels affect beer, how barrel fermentation differs from standard steel fermenters, and how selecting a beer style and/or beer name can affect sales. We dig deep on their barrel-fermented saison, delve into their decidedly-one-off Pho Gose, and their year-round wine-barrel aged stout. All this and even more tech talk, like self-distribution pros and cons, preventing boil-over, seasonal variance on hops, and how tap handle style can affect carbonation and, therefore, flavor. If yo

Host Ben Rice travels to Portland, Oregon, to drop in on Patrick Lawrence of Oregon Mead & Cider Company, with comedian, artist, podcaster, card game creator, and general creative Carolyn Main, to discuss the wonderful world of mead, a Barley & Me first! We talk the mead-creation process and how it compares to beer, cider, braggot, and more, plus the surprising ingredient that can cause cross-contamination and the importance of bees to mead and the world's food supply. And, as is par for the course, we trash the Star Wars prequels while talking about Carolyn's latest card game creation, Pitch Please!, where you create a movie pitch based on movie tropes. We also delve into Patrick's multiple jobs that have, despite his best efforts, centered around any and all kinds of apples, planned obsolescence in technology, and the fermentation tank naming process. All this and more, on episode 78 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Oregon Mead & Cider Co @ www.oregonmeadandcider.com or follow them

Host Ben Rice travels to Empress Tavern in Sacramento, CA, on behalf of the California Craft Brewer's Association, to talk with restauranteurs and brewers moments after they are picked to collaborate with each other on food and beer pairings for the upcoming California Craft Beer Summit (Sept 6-8). Ben talks to Leia Bailey, managing direction for the CCBA, about the Brewed for Food event and the CA Craft Beer Summit, then he sits down with Patricio Wise of Nixtaco and Lauren Zehnder of Mraz Brewing to see how this beloved taco joint will try to pair flavors with the esteemed sour factory that is Mraz, followed by an interview with Ryan Donahue of Empress Tavern and Sage Smith of Bike Dog Brewing to see how this upscale eatery can craft a menu around Bike Dog's outstanding everyday drinkers. All this and more, on episode 77 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about the California Craft Beer Summit and/or get tickets at www.cacraftbeersummit.com or www.californiacraftbeer.comFollow Mraz @mrazbrewing on Twit

Host Ben Rice sits down with New Glory Brewing's head brewer Kyle Leddy and special guest comedian Becky Lynn, to talk about Kyle's latest beer endeavors. We are also joined by Kyle's wife Claire Leddy, as we discuss Kyle's birthday, New Glory's upcoming 5th Anniversary Sudsapalooza!, and commercial brewing vs home brewing. Plus we take a deep dive into Ben's bad travel planning, put the "fun" in funerals, and have a heavy conversation about love, relationships, and intimacy. Oh, and some comedy stuff and why The Last Jedi allegedly sucked. All this and more, on episode 76 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Also, don't forget to get your tickets to New Glory's 5th anniversary Sudsapalooza, happening June 30!And be on the look-out for their upcoming Granite Bay restaurant and taproom, coming soon!Follow New Glory Craft Brewery @newglorybreweryFollow Becky Lynn @ohthatsbeckyFollow Barley & Me @barleyandmepodThis episode is brought to you by ABV Magazine. Find out more at abvmagazine.comYou can now buy Barley & M

Host Ben Rice travels to Final Gravity in Roseville, CA, for a very special episode with the Sacramento chapter of the Pink Boots Society during their tap takeover. Ben sits down with special guest Lindsey Nelson, co-owner of The Art of Beer, as well as four PBS members: Amy Mahoney, beer buyer at The Brass Tap (Rocklin, CA); Heidi Wilder, partner at Fort Rock Brewing (Rancho Cordova, CA); Teresa Psuty, head brewer/co-owner of Crooked Lane Brewing (Auburn, CA); and Amy Ruthnick, co-owner of Final Gravity (Roseville, CA), to talk about their National Women's Day Collaboration brews, being a woman in the brewing industry, first beer loves, climbing the beer industry corporate ladder, and the triumphs and tribulations of the industry itself (including GABF medals - that's right, medals, plural - badass!), and so, so much more.This episode was also filmed by Nick Larson (@nicklarsonphotography) and the video version is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=0gfrNBu4rSYIt's our 3rd v

Host Ben Rice travels to Fountainhead Brewing in Sacramento, CA, to speak with brewer Daniel Moffatt and operations manager Mark Bojescu, with special guest Justin Chechourka, author of the recently-released Sacramento Beer Book. We discuss the random happenstance that occurred at Fountainhead that led him to penning the Sacramento Beer Book, the tribulations of the free market economy, as well as other strange coincidences in the brewery's rise. This episode features several running themes, including 80s nostalgia and the current state of Sacramento beer (now with questionable infiltrators!), plus Ben tries to turn every ending into a sad one, and so much more, on this wild ride we call Episode 74 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Fountainhead Brewing by following them on social media @sacfountainheadGet more info on the Sacramento Beer Book at www.sacramentobeerbook.com or @sacbeerbookFollow Barley & Me @barleyandmepodIntro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@

Host Ben Rice visits Empress Tavern to sit down with brewer Peter Hoey and owner Rob Archie of Urban Roots Brewing to discuss the upcoming opening of their brewery and smokehouse in Sacramento (set for May 19, 2018). We talk what to expect when you're expecting (to open a brewery), Rob's history in the restaurant world, Peter's brewing history, and the beers that made them the men they are today. Plus! The biggest BBQ this side of the Mississipp', appreciating the classics while still pushing beer forward, and how art influences artists. All this and more, on Episode 73 of Barley & Me! Enjoy!Find out more about Urban Roots Brewing @urbanrootsbeerFollow Barley & Me on social media @barleyandmepodThanks again to Empress Tavern (@empresstavern) for the space to record.Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)Barley & Me t-shirts are now available from Zen Threads (@zenthreads) at www.bit.ly/BarleyZenWe're just two episodes away from another video epis

Host Ben Rice travels to San Francisco, CA, to sit down with Tobias Zollo, head brewer, and Marcus Englet, Sales Director, of Bayerische Staatsbraurei Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery in the world, to discuss their new collaboration beer with Sierra Nevada, Braupakt! It's a beautiful blend of old and new world brews, with a bold citrus up front, with a classic Hefe finish. But we can't just discuss that beer, which took almost a year of conversation to perfect, we have to talk about the Bavarian and German brewing industry, Weihenstephan's history (which goes back farther than anyone's), and how the craft beer movement is affecting Europe. Plus! A sneak peak at Weihenstephan and Sierra Nevada's next collaboration, how Weihenstephan is navigating the craft beer boom, and a discussion of what makes a perfect FestBier. All this and more, on Episode 72 of Barley & Me! Enjoy!Happy 502nd birthday to Reinheitsgebot!Thank you to Royal Exchange, in San Francisco, CA, for hosting this fine beer release event. Foll