Barley & Me

Host Ben Rice travels to San Leandro to speak with Cleophus Quealy's owner/brewer Dan Watson, along with Bay Area comedian Chad Opitz. The man with the best beer joke in the biz talks about getting his start in high school drama, moving into the thrilling world of odd-ball music in Seattle, then taking up stand-up in the weirdo town of Santa Cruz, while Dan talks about his early love of European beers that led him to start up a small brewery in California, with a concentration on flavors pulled from fruits and yeasts, nearly bypassing the hop craze. We dive into conversations about misspelled names, misread names, and how every brewery name is stupid. Plus beers, beards, more beers, and more beards! on another riveting episode of Barley & Me! Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me at @barleyandmepodFollow Chad Opitz at @chadopitzFollow Cleophus Quealy at @cleophus_quealyIntro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)Logo: Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)This episode is brought to you by Lyft. Try Lyft now and ente

Host Ben Rice travels to Alameda, CA, to sip on suds and take in the gorgeous scenery of Faction Brewing, along with their owner/head brewer Rodger Davis and special guest, comedian DJ Sandhu. We talk about the trials of surviving in the Bay Area given the tech boom, start-up brewery costs, the band Tool, how The Grateful Dead got Rodger into brewing, and Ales for ALS, which is taking place at Faction Brewing on Saturday, July 22, 2017.This episode was also filmed and is available to view on YouTube at https://youtu.be/t8DIAsL0vogThank you to Rodger and DJ for taking part and to Brandon Morgan (of Shitty Food Blog) for filming. Thanks as always to Breez for the intro music. The track is called "JamRoc." Artwork is by Jessica DiMesio. And thank YOU for listening.Follow Barley & Me on social media @barleyandmepodFollow host Ben Rice on Twitter @comedianbenriceFollow Faction Brewing online @factionbrewingFollow DJ Sandhu @djsandhu20This episode is brought to you by Lyft - get $5 off your first ride using pro

On this episode of Barley & Me, host Ben Rice visits upcoming Rocklin, CA, brewery Moksa Brewing and speaks with owners Nu Boonkham and Scott Williams, as well as head brewer Corey Meyer (previously of New Glory Brewing) and also with special guest Rebecca Steele-Wilkie, owner of Cuvee Marketing and creator of the Instagram account Art of the Jockey Box, to talk about the expectations for Moksa, the surprising difficulties in opening a brewery at a location where another brewery used to exist, barrel aging, and marketing. We look forward to seeing what Moksa has in store when they open later in 2017. Be sure to check out Art of the Jockey Box on Instagram and visit www.cuveemarketing.com for all your beer and wine marketing needs.Follow Barley & Me on social media @barleyandmepodFollow host Ben Rice on Twitter @comedianbenriceIntro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@livingclicheart)This episode is brought to you by Lyft. Download the Lyft app and get $5 off your first rid

Host Ben Rice travels to Nevada City with guest and renowned beer judge "Big Mike" Moore to talk shop with Jim & Simon of Ol' Republic Brewing. Ol' Republic specializes in European style ales and lagers. We talk about their early years, as they grew their brand in a world dominated by hop-heavy beer. Plus they let us know how they came up with the name for their award-winning Dortmunder Export Lager, "Dead Canary." Jim & Simon regale us for over an hour with successes both anticipated and unforeseen as they attempt to get a foothold into the California beer scene while brewing beers that are not typically made by smaller breweries. Ever wondered how beer prices are determined or what challenges beer judges face? You'll find out! Plus they'll drop a surprise announcement at the end, something that I am very excited about. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @barleyandmepodFollow Ol' Republic on Facebook & Instagram @olrepublicbrewery and on Twitter @olrepublicbrewIntro m

On episode 47, host Ben Rice visits an undisclosed location to talk about the state of the beer union. With him are Andy Armstrong of American River Brewing, his wife Lea, Kyle Leddy of Moonraker Brewing, his wife Claire, his daughter Olive, and Sacramento Beer Group founder Chris Guthrie. We talk about the Lagunitas and Wicked Weed buyouts, AB InBev's purchase of the entirety of the South African hop crop, and the future of the beleaguered 12 Rounds Brewing in Sacramento. PLUS Ben sings some metal, Kyle puts on a snazzy child's jacket, Chris does his best Olive impersonations, muchos chugs, and more!Follow Barley & Me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @barleyandmepodFollow American River Brewing on Facebook and Instagram @americanriverbrewingFollow Moonraker Brewing on Facebook and Instagram @moonrakerbrewingArtwork by Jessica DiMesioIntro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)ALSO you can now get $5 off your first Lyft ride by using the promo code "BarleyAndMe". Each new account using this code helps

Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to visit its newest brewery, Fort Rock Brewing, to chat with owner/head brewer Tom Fuquay and special guest Joyce Tayag of Tommy T's Comedy Club (located in the same building, what a tie in!). We'll discuss the trials and tribulations of an upstart brewery with no commercial brewing experience, plus the resurrection of Tommy T's. Listen up as we talk beer history, as well as what beer really is, when you break it down in scientific terms (the answer...may surprise you). And for any listeners out there who have not yet dabbled in homebrewing or have tried unsuccessfully, Tom gives his tips and tricks to better homebrewing. And of course, Ben can't help but try to get Joyce to convince Tommy T's ownership to start carrying some Fort Rock brews. All this and more, on episode 46 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodEmail us at barleyandmepodcast@gmail.comIntro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)Logo by

We're back! Episode 45 finds host Ben Rice at Drake's Brewing in San Leandro, chatting with comedian Jason Cole and head brewer John Gillooly. This episode is a dream, as we spin off on frenzied tangents for nearly two hours, imparting opinions, stories, history lessons, and a metric ton of brewing facts and tips. Plus we talk about Drake's recent expansion into Oakland and their upcoming expansion into Sacramento. To quote a review of Drake's food selections, "it's better than it needs to be." So grab a Jolly Rodger and relish in the tales spun, from copyright and trademarking shenanigans, including some rad Star Trek cease and desist letters; to malt liquor history and tips n tricks; to Jimmy Carter. Hell, there's even some fine and dandy Star Wars talk for those who listen to the very end. It's one hell of a good time. Enjoy!Follow Drake's on all social media at @drakesbeerFollow Jason Cole on Twitter at @thatsnotgravyFollow Barley & Me on all social media at @barleyandmepodIntro Music: "JamRoc" by Bre

Sactown Union's Quinn Gardner leads a panel discussion on Opening Night of Sacramento Beer Week 2017. featuring a panel of some of the greatest pioneers of the Northern California beer scene. Listen, as Dr. Charlie Bamforth (UC Davis), Barbara Groom (Lost Coast Brewery), Judy Ashworth (Lyons Brewery Depot), Shaun O'Sullivan (21st Amendment Brewing), John Martin (Triple Rock, Drake's Brewing), and Michael Barker (Sactown Union) discuss what craft brewing is (and isn't), what role craft beer plays in the community, and just how far we've come in the last decade and where beer is going next. And all completely unedited. I'd like to thank Quinn for inviting me to record this event for posterity. Please enjoy not technically an episode of Barley & Me!

Host Ben Rice sits down with comedian Dorian Foster to test out his sound equipment, nearly 6 months before recording the first ever episode of a beer podcast that would come to be known as Barley & Me. Never intended for release, we bring this to you, because SF and Sacramento Beer Week make all brewers way too busy to take some time to talk to me about beer. So here it is: the unreleased, demo tracks you never knew you wanted! We do a bottle share in host Ben Rice's apartment and talk BUI's (not IBUs), cicerone tests, comedy,  randomAdam Sandler appearances, and how not to pet a cat. Plus we spitball potential names for the podcast! It was a weird experience, re-listening to life 2.5 years ago, not knowing what this podcast was even going to be. I laughed out loud a few times and I hope you do too. We'll be back soon with all new episodes! In the meantime, enjoy all those beautiful beer weeks and be sure to follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @barleyandmepod, and subscribe on i

Host Ben Rice makes his second appearance at the Art of Beer Invitational. This will be either episode 43 of Barley & Me or Episode 1 of BarLeddy & Me, as Moonraker's Kyle Leddy takes over co-hosting duties midway through. Join us as we chat with Serious Talk Seriously's Johnny Flores (with Kyle and his wife Claire acting as co-guests!), then we speak with Elisia Gonzales and Delayna Fitzgerald of Eat Farm To Fork, before creating an impromptu beer roundtable with Kyle and Claire (again!), Jeff Broaddus of Karl Strauss, and Casey Carhart of Deschutes. Then we'll close out with some sage words from a few Art of Beer patrons. Plus Becky Lynn sneaks in some words of her own. We have an incredibly deep conversation about the recent brewery buy-outs, plus distribution talk, and we try to remember all the Wayans Brothers. Plus so much more! On Episode 1 of BarLeddy and Me. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @barleyandmepodLearn more about Eat Farm To Fork at eatfarm2fork.comI f

Host Ben Rice sits down with event directors Jennifer Land Irwin (Art of Beer, January 27) and Kate Whelan (Sacramento Beer Week, March 2-March 12) to discuss the ins and outs of planning major beer events, while sipping on Christmas ales at Sacramento's Hideaway Bar & Grill, a lovely dive bar on Franklin Blvd. We get into the nitty gritty of event planning, the triumphs and tribulations, plus the differences in a one-night only event at one location versus a week-and-a-half long excursion at dozens of venues. We'll also chat about the Women's March, Stranger Things, classic and new musicals, and how to add an exciting game show element to up the ante at beer events. Plus Gilmore Girls! And politics. Also, Kate's beer group, Hop Broads, and their Beer Week beer design. And everything under the sun, until we get forced to shut up because of inclement weather because I chose to record this outside. Thank you to Hideaway's owner Mariah York-Carr for giving us the space to do this. Enjoy!Find tickets to Art o

Host Ben Rice conducts a Christmas bottle share with some comedian friends at West Sacramento restaurant Sail Inn Grotto. Guests Stephen Furey (The Comedy Store), Garrett Boatman (retired), Luke Soin (Epic Tiki and The Sexy Podcast), Emma Haney (Fem Dom Com), and Becky Lynn (Hot Drunk Sets) join us, with Stephen Furey leading the charge as we rate the best and worst of: Candy! Cookies! White Elephant Gifts! Beer! Plus Garrett and Ben beef with BevMo, Luke explains how he learned to be intolerant of gluten (the answer might surprise you), and why everyone in comedy hates the word "skit." Plus a look back at the surprising oeuvre of Dane Cook and made-up facts about your favorite young adult novelists. Enjoy episode 41 of Barley & Me!Theme Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesioFollow Barley & Me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @barleyandmepodEmail questions, comments, and concerns to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.comFollow our guests on Instagram! Stephen Furey @scubastevefurey

Host Ben Rice and guest Becky Lynn celebrate their anniver-soury by traveling to Portland, Oregon, and visiting world-renowned sour beer brewery Cascade Brewing. So why not do a podcast? We chat with brewery manager Grant Ritchie, blender Kevin Martin, and head brewer Mike Mathis about what separates sour brewing from typical beer brewing. Plus! Beers that got us into beer, making friends through beer, and beer enthusiasm versus beer snobbery. Plus even more (sour) beer puns and we even go in depth on some horror stories from Cascade's "Tap It Tuesday," in which pre-selected guests get to tap the barrel on their "Live from the Barrel" series. It's a gusher of fruity sticky goodness and this episode is a gusher of information and joy. So grab your lactobacillis and a few dozen of your favorite barrels and enjoy Episode 40 of Barley & Me!Find Cascade Brewing online at cascadebrewing.com, cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com, and on Instagram/Twitter @cascadebrewingFind Becky Lynn on social media at @ohthatsbeckyFi

Host Ben Rice vists East Sacramento sandwich shop The Shack with comedians Melissa McGillicuddy, Robert Omoto, and Kim Martel to discuss the art, taste, and reasons behind several non-alcoholic beers. We break down their (lack of) flavor and aroma, plus hypothesize why people would imbibe these concoctions in the first place. Plus! Melissa's diet secrets, Kim's discovery of a medical shortcut to dieting, and why certain regions of America don't have access to mangos. And if that wasn't enough, we discover what makes something "artisan" and that even cats love horoscopes. All of this and so much more, on Episode 39 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!

Host Ben Rice sits down with Cathy Johnson (owner) and Michael Johnson (brewer) of Lincoln, CA, based nano-brewery, GoatHouse Brewing, along with guest John Marcotte (Heroic Girls, The Cookie Project, #MoreThanCute, and much much more) to get political, philosphical, nerdy, funny, weird, and informative. As John sips on a honey blonde and Ben quaffs a delectable Dark Side stout, we touch on myriad topics beer-adjacent: farming, education, sustainability, community outreach, regulations and restrictions... So many things! Plus John tells us about many of the small things he's done to help the community, as well as his biggest project to date, Heroic Girls, which takes "princess culture" head on. So if you love information, hate pumpkin beers, and wanted to know how a nano-brewery that is located at the owner's house can possibly expand, check out Episode 38 of Barley & Me. It's so good.Go to www.cookieproject.org and www.heroicgirls.com for more info on those wonderful programs.Find John Marcotte on Twitte

Host Ben Rice sits down with Bryan Crass, brewery manager of Out of Bounds Brewing, in Rocklin, CA, along with Abel Gomez and Chris Guthrie, founders of the Sacramento Beer Group Facebook group. We talk about Out of Bounds's new Powdered Toast Man and their slowly-growing barrel program, before diving into long-winded diatribes about the evolution of the beer world and drunk adults at breweries being worse than dogs or children. This podcast also seamlessly mobilizes itself to record in a few different locations. Gotta spot em all! I hope you enjoy our wonderful dissection of all things Sacramento beer.Follow Out of Bounds on Twitter/Instagram @OOBBCFollow Barley & Me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @barleyandmepodJoin Sacramento Beer Group via Facebook GroupsIntro: "JamRoc" by Breez (Twitter @4proaudio Instagram @mr4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (Instagram @a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice travels to Elk Grove, CA, to visit with Derrick Prasad and Jonathan Martinez of Tilted Mash Brewing, along with Shane Dakan and Autumn Sky-Hall of Backyard Brews and Reviews, a beer and music videocast available on YouTube. We talk Shane and Autumn's love of music and their dabbling in the craft brew world. We also discuss Jonathan's official position as the Pimp Of Foam and all that that entails. Plus: How Tilted Mash's beers get their name - is it name first, beer second, or the other way around? The answer MIGHT SURPRISE YOU. Plus Ben forgets his charger, resulting in the episode being cut short and yet another garbage foray into the post-recording outro business. I apologize for all the sound issues. They shouldn't keep happening in future episodes. And of course, look for Tilted Mash's new triple IPA the AS3ASSIN, coming soon to the brewery near you! And that brewery's new location, also coming soon. Thanks for listening.

Host Ben Rice spends yet another day at the California Craft Beer Summit, with the full intent of recording another mini-episode during the actual beer festival, featuring Herlinda Heras of the Brew HaHa Drive Time Radio Show and Patrick Rue of the Bruery/Bruery Terreux, only to have Herlinda bring along her co-host Joe Tucker, who also just happens to be the founder of the very popular RateBeer.com. Instead of 15 minutes, we spend 40 minutes discussing the Craft Beer Summit, as well as upcoming RateBeer.com festivals the Funk N Dank Fest and Rate Beer Best Fest. Plus Patrick discusses his humble beginnings, the split-up of The Bruery into two separate entities, and how collaboration beers come about and get brewed. Plus we talk about our first beer loves and Herlinda gives some insight into how dating a non-craft drinker can go terribly wrong. Enjoy!You can follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodFind previous episodes on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, and PodbeanFind our gue

Host Ben Rice once again sits down in the middle of a massive beer conference to talk to whoever sits down! In Part Two of Three of his adventures at the Craft Beer Summit. At 5:40, Ben sits down with Kevin Cox and Bert Aguilar of Fresno's Tioga-Sequoia Brewing, to discuss Kevin's long and winding career in the beer industry (over 25 years!), plus we touch on the arduous task of brewery management and moving from contract brewing to brewing for yourself. And we close out by talking about FresYES, their annual pro-Fresno party. Then, at 25:25, I chat with Kern River Brewing's owner Eric Giddens, Kern River Brewing's head brewer Adrian Barrera (formerly of Tioga-Sequoia, Track 7, and Prairie Artisan Ales), and Beers in Sac App's Josh Elder, to talk about starting a brewery in the middle of nowhere before the craft beer boom, linking up with breweries across Sacramento to cross-promote events, and, of course, beers even the experience beer drinker can't stomach. Then we close it out, starting at the 43:20 mark,

Host Ben Rice sits down in the middle of a massive beer conference to talk to whoever sits down! In Part One of Three of his adventures at the Craft Beer Summit. At 5:25, Ben sits down with Kevin Rhodes of Groundswell Brewing in San Diego and Ty Stevenson of Carneros Brewing in Sonoma. With a combined 25.25 years of commercial brewing experience (Rhodes 25, Stevenson 0.25), they delve into the importance of water in our beers. Then, at 15:20, Elliot Hoffman of Camino Brewing in San Jose sits across from beer blogger Eric Gibson of Brew Hoppin' to delve into being a small-timer at a massive statewide beer conference and Camino's plans to move from contract brewing to full-time, self-focused brewing, expansion, and canning. After that, at 31:30, we have a Barley & Me first! No brewers! We'll chat with Joshua Cody of Colorado Malting Company and Daniel Hicks of TTB Tamer. Joshua's job seems self-explanatory, but he's one of the few who grows, harvests, germinates, kilns, AND distributes his own malted grains