Barley & Me

Host Ben Rice stands up with Ryan and Jeff of Track 7 Brewing (Sacramento, CA) and Kenny Hotchkiss, owner of Capitol Taproom (Sacramento). We talk about Track 7's recent expansion, plus their brand new canning line. We also delve deeply into the history, past, present, and future, of the NE IPA Haze Craze while sipping on Track 7 Sukahop. Kenny tells us about his own expansion plans, as he prepares to open a second location closer to the new Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento. Naturally, we talk about what the new arena holds for the future of Sacramento, not just in the beer and food world, but for its population and its much-maligned transit system. But mostly! Haze! IPA! and the slow, creeping death of classic styles. And if that isn't enough to draw you in, late in the episode, Ryan spits out the worst/best pun I have ever heard. Enjoy!Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram: @barleyandmepodFollow Track 7 @track7brewingFollow Capitol Taproom @capitolbeerIntro: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Artw

Host Ben Rice returns for the grand opening of Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, CA, to catch up with his episode 3 guests, founders Paul Schilling, Kirt Braun, Adrian Psuty, and Teresa Psuty, along with Nu Boonkham of Auburn Thai Garden. When we first spoke with this crew, the building had recently been determined and they were, hopefully, a year away from opening. We sipped on some of their soon-to-be mainstays, made on a small garage kit, and talked of hopes and dreams. And now we're back to discuss the overwhelming reality of that vision, three years in the making. We discuss the trials and tribulations faced in the last year, gathering a local following, forming a work unit, the feeling of selling out a beer on opening night, plus women in the brewing industry (featuring a special guest appearance by bar manager Sierra Smith) and what the future holds after this strong open. Enjoy!Also, don't forget to go to Crooked Lane's Beer Dump Party, featuring food, beer, and dunk tanks, as they dump an English brown

Host Ben Rice travels to Auburn, CA, to visit with Zack Frasher & Kyle Leddy of Moonraker Brewing, a fast-rising brewery in Auburn, CA. In tow this week is Ben's best gal, better half, and better comedian, Becky Lynn. We'll talk the haze craze, coffee porters, beer generations, and how chicken wings nearly derailed Ben & Becky's relationship. Plus a lot of talk about breweries and beers that are not Moonraker. Not to mention Ben's first foray into exhausted advertising. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodFollow Becky Lynn on Twitter and Instagram @ohthatsbeckyIntro: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice travels to Flatland Brewing in Elk Grove, California, to talk to brothers-from-the-same-mother/brewers/owners Sean & Andrew Mohsenzadegan, along with special guest Dave Ross, manager of Elk Grove's Specialized Exhaust and Automotive. We talk brotherhood, cars, beer, and other specialities. The Mohsenzadegans get into their brewing history and creating a professional brewery from spare parts, plus we compare current beer fads to classic beer styles. Dave starts a discussion of his favorite cars and repairs, plus gives us an insane Internet history lesson. And if there are any entrepreneurs or Uber reps listening, this episode is chock-full of great business ideas none of us will use. Plus we get into the specialty meat game and discuss how we'd like our humans prepared. Barley & Me, available on iTunes, Stitcher, Podbean, and GooglePlay. Now with more cannibalism!Follow Barley & Me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @barleyandmepodFollow Flatland Brewing on Instagram @flatlandbrewing

Host Ben Rice visits Claimstake Brewing in Rancho Cordova, to talk with owner/brewer Brian Palmer, as well as founders of the Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts Facebook Group, Russell Kay and Steve Hayer. If there's one thing this episode has, it's a bunch of wonderful people sauced to the gills talking things they love. If there's two things this episode has, it's that and layers (layers). We discuss the road from home brewer to micro brewer, as well as what is needed to start your own brewery, and the items you foresaw and couldn't have seen coming. Plus Brian announces some big things. Ben describes his first home brewing experience and never, ever lives it down. It's chock full of information, callbacks, name calling, parenting tips, and experimental beer style suggestions. I hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording. Enjoy!Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodFollow Claimstake Brewing @claimstake.brewingFind Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts in Facebook GroupsIntro:

On Episode 27 of Barley & Me, host Ben Rice turns it up to 11 with JJ Anderson of Black Vinyl Ale Project (Rocklin, CA) and Paul Burke, owner of Blacktop Comedy (Rocklin, CA). Prepare for the three of them to wax philosophical about music, beer, comedy, business, and life, as they take trips down Memory Lane, only to find out everything has changed. Plus Paul teachs us about the different formats of improv comedy while JJ gives insight into obtaining hops when there's a hop crisis. Ben announces a new comedy show he's doing, which is impressive, but not as impressive as Black Vinyl's freshly-announced second location in Sacramento. It might get weird, and it totally gets weird, as we pinpoint our own little quirks that make us borderline unbearable. But if you love hip hop, David Duchovny, driving in the dark, or Tea Leoni, you'll love this episode. Enjoy!Like/follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodFollow host Ben Rice on Twitter @comedianbenriceLike/follow Black Vinyl A

Host Ben Rice sits down with Ed Mason of River Rock Brewing (formerly the controversial Special Ed's Brewing), as well as Tricia and Tim Bowden, the parties who brought the name to media attention, to discuss the thought process behind the previous brewery name as well as its beer names and catchphrases (which include "Take the short bus to great beer" and "Back of the Bus Brown"). It gets a bit heated, but we eventually find common ground in discussing the importance of family, as well as who is and is not the best Beatle and which comedians are best. Plus we find out a lot about Galt celebrities (Levar Burton! Doug Martin! More!) and things to do in small town California. While we may not have reached an amicable agreement moving forward, we did find that even people from completely different world views can find some common ground. And I found out I should never record anywhere near a fan. Oops. Enjoy!Intro: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo: Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)Follow Barley & Me online

Host Ben Rice sits down with 21st Amendment's co-founder/head brewer Shaun O'Sullivan and comedian/pot activitist Ngaio Bealum, in episode 25 of Barley & Me. Recorded at 21st Amendment's new(ish) San Leandro location, we discuss the new location's previous history as a Kellogg's Pop Tart production facility, judging beer and weed, the slow and steady growth and expansion of 21st Amendment, plus first beer experiences and much, much more! Look for this episode on YouTube in the coming weeks, because we bothered to film it. So thanks to those debonair fellas for being themselves and making for some gorgeous video. As usual, host Ben Rice ruins everything. But it still turns out okay! Enjoy!Follow 21st Amendment on Twitter & Instagram at @21stamendmentFollow Ngaio everywhere at @ngaio420Follow Barley & Me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @barleyandmepodTitle track: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice sits down with Sacramento comedian Johnny Taylor (Stand Up! Records) over a Bucket O' Hamm's at Sacramento's Tank House BBQ. We sit down to discuss Johnny's upcoming second live album recording (taking place at Harlow's on June 18). We discuss the art and business of stand-up, Ben poorly masks his disappointment in his own shortcomings, and we talk about family, moving, early drinking experiences, and much, much more. Plus we encounter the post-Happy Hour crowd and argue over whether dirty mac or dirty tots are better. Seriously, if you haven't gone to Tank House, do it.Follow Johnny Taylor on Twitter @hipsterocracyFollow Barley & Me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @barleyandmepodIntro: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's Bike Dog Brewing to chat with co-founder/brewer AJ Tendick and entrepreneur/restauranteur/revitalizer Clay Nutting. It's not an understatement to say that Clay has played a major role in the re-branding and revitalization of midtown Sacramento, helping push change with the advent of live street music, the beloved German bier haus LowBrau, upscale Block Butcher Bar, and the yearly music festival TBD! And he'll sit down to talk (vaguely) about projects in the pipeline. And it's no secret that Bike Dog has taken the Sacramento beer scene by storm, pumping out celebrated, balanced, multi-faceted IPAs and the best damn stout in town. We'll talk about the trials and errors in starting and maintaining your own business, leading to one of my least-informed questions ever! Listen as we discuss Bike Dog's expansion plans, then juxtapose those against the general craft beer marketing and distribution trends. Chuckle silently to yourself as we consistently speak hypocritically about

Host Ben Rice travels to Turlock, California, with esteemed Modesto/Stockton area comedian Anthony K (short for Krayenhagen) to meet with Scott Chaffee of Turlock's Dust Bowl Brewing. In this rapid-fire, 200 WPM episode, we discuss the difference between beer snobs and beer nerds, beer festival etiquette, what a craft beer drinker is versus what a craft beer drinker is assumed to be, the history behind Dust Bowl's names and beer (it goes back through time and region), the present and future of beer, classic cars, comedy, and so so much more. I don't think it's possible to pack more into an episode than we did here. Plus, we talk about meeting a significant other's family, drinking challenges, and tacos tacos tacos! Let's Taco Bout It! Here on Barley & Me!Don't forget to check out Anthony K's big headlining weekend at Cheroot Lounge in Modesto, June 24-26. Follow him everywhere @anthonykcomedyAnd of course, be sure to stop into Dust Bowl, at either their original location or their newer, bigger, better loc

Host Ben Rice visits Stacy Collins, proprietor Elk Grove pilot nanobrewery The Shop, with guest Kyle Kaylor, manager at the hot new Sacramento vinyl bar B Side. We talk at length about music, homebrewing guilds, and what exactly a nanobrewery is. Plus what words people can't say once they're drunk, how to get a bartender's attention, and how to try new drinks properly. Enjoy a verbal walking tour of The Shop and find out how not to organize your vinyl collection. I think you'll love it. Indubitably."Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter/Instagram @barleyandmepodIntro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice sits down with Rubicon Brewing's owner Glynn Phillips and Sacramento podcasting legend Johnny Flores of Serious Talk Seriously about starting your dreams from scratch. We also discuss how Rubicon went from trend-setter to has-been and back again, the variety of ways beers can get their names or even their recipes, brewers' superstitions, the Sacramento art scene, re-building your brand, conversational craft, and so much more. If you ever wondered what the most killed-off dogs in cinema are, or why Death & Pestilence haven't caught on in the beer community at large or Jerry Garcia's influence outside the hippie and ice cream communities, check out Episode 20 of Barley & Me! Spoiler alert: The Beer Dies At The End!Like/follow us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook @barleyandmepodIntro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)Check out Serious Talk Seriously at stspodcast.com

During the recording our our Ruhstaller episode, a wonderful old scamp named Tom popped in to see what we were up to. We gave him a mic and he regaled us with tales of hops and marijuana and world travelers and old wisdom. Meanwhile Anthony Van Hook can't get a word in edgewise. Then we discuss the importance of "laying [y]our balls on the table" when it comes to brewing.As always, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram @barleyandmepod

Host Ben Rice sits down with Tap-It Brewing's head brewer Ryan Aikens and their sales rep Paige Howery, along with Mussetter Distributor's Therese Olsen, at Dad's Kitchen on Freeport, during Sacramento Beer Week. We discussed pretty much the entirety of Tap-It's beer lineup, the sudden upswing in fruit-additive IPA's, pranks Ryan plays on drinks looking for ABV instead of taste, an ode to prior Barley & Me guest Eric Nordby, getting into beer as a youth, Ryan's obsession with Formica, pig roasts, and, of course, restaurant etiquette. Like Paige always says, "It's just beer." Which means there's oh so much more than meets the eye. Enjoy!"Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter/Instagram @barleyandmepodIntro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice winds up in Eugene, Oregon as part of a comedy tour with his friend Daniel Humbarger (who also co-hosts the ESPN TrueHoop Network podcast Cowbell Kingdom), so they decide, when in Rome, why not do an episode of Barley & Me? So we sat down with Oakshire Brewing's general counsel and director of human resources, Tom Moseman, to discuss the brewery's near decade in existence, as well as this coming weekend's Hellshire VI (May 12, 2016), the largest bourbon barrel aged beer festival on the West Coast (visit www.oakbrew.com for tickets!). We discussed branding (and how it must evolve), as well as how to evolve and adapt at the mid-sized brewery level. Not to mention, chatting about the differences in regulations in California and Oregon. It's an episode full of comparisons in mid-major markets and how to address the desire to expand and the needs of your current consumer base, including comparisons between the beer and comedy industries. It's also nice to get a look inside the human resources and

Host Ben Rice chats with Auburn Alehouse's lead brewer Jennifer Talley and also local business owner/publican Eric Nordby, co-owner of World Pub and Little Belgium Deli, in Auburn, CA. We'll talk about Jennifer's extensive brewing career, starting in the prohibitive state of Utah, then moving to large-scale brewing with Red Hook, then to Russian River, and finally to Auburn Alehouse. Brewing royalty right here, right now, and she is a joy to listen to. We talk about balancing worklife with family life, potential criminal records, and the differences in the brewing world since the craft beer movement really started to take hold. Plus, of course, our recommendations for hangover cures. That and more, on Episode 18 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @barleyandmepod"Like" us on Facebook: /barleyandmepodTheme song: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice travels to the Art of Beer Invitational Craft Beer Festival in Sacramento and sits down with, in exact order: Greg Coll of Ales for Autism; Michael Barker of Sactown Union Brewing & Shaun O'Sullivan of 21st Amendment Brewing; Art of Beer event director Jen Irwin; Dan & Steven Murphy of 12 Rounds Brewing; and Art of Beer founding director Rawi Nanakul and Odell Brewing's Tony Rau. Conversations run the gamut from brewing basics to regulations in and out of California, to starting and running your own non-profit charity to starting and running your own beer festival, to kickboxing movies and Fulbright scholars (yes, those two ARE related), to zombie-fighting dream teams, to cases of mistaken identity and host Ben Rice being a disrespectful jerk, to yeast glorious yeast, and back again. I hope you enjoy this amalgam of 5, count em, 5, separate sit downs over the course of 3 hours while we all get progressively drunker (host's note: if I start sounding belligerent, it's only my joy being lou

Host Ben Rice visits Sacramento's Ruhstaller Brewing Taproom to chat with owner/brewer JE Paino. This is the INCEPTION episode, as Ben sits down with fellow beer podcasters Anthony Van Hook and Melody Stone of Hooks & Stone. Also featuring guest appearances by patrons, both heard and unheard (thanks, editing!). Doing an episode in a taproom late Thursday night gets pretty crazy, as conversations ebb and flow, regarding Sacramento beer history, Sacramento shame, origin stories, music, comedy, and more. So much more. Too much more, some would say. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepodMusic: "JamRoc" by Breez (@4proaudio)Artwork: Jessica DiMesio (@a_living_cliche)

Host Ben Rice sits down with Tom Karvonen, owner/brewer at Oak Park Brewing, to discuss their first year+ in business, along with plans for expansion and their wonderful layout and kitchen. They are joined by Sacramento go-getters The Bruce Twins, Laura & Kaitlin Bruce, who discuss bartending, pub quizzes, and Kaitlin's love of taxidermied animals. We also discuss the fine brews at Oak Park, as well as their history, and also what true love is. Plus much, much more, as always!Find us on Instagram & Twitter @barleyandmepodLike us on Facebook!Logo by Jessica DiMesio (Instagram: @a_living_cliche)Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (Instagram/Twitter: @4proaudio)