Barley & Me

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 rang in the New Year by headlining Punch Line Sacramento. Furey and host Ben Rice discuss the dissolving of their relationships, their current living situations, and the costs of doing comedy business. PLUS! Upcoming cool stuff, Stephen's brush with national fame, the bumpy ride leading to his first Just For Laughs, his Punch Line papyrus, and trying to cover all your bases by empting the clip. All this and more on this episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben RiceThanks to Punch Line Sacramento for supplying the drinks and giving us the space to record.Be sure to follow Stephen Furey's comedy journey this year, as he is set to make his Netflix debut and continues to run shows at The Comedy Store. You can find hi

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 bartender Kevin, we discuss the 2nd annual I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest, which is taking place October 18, 2025 in Rancho Cordova, CA, featuring over 30 breweries, 3 food trucks, and a live band. Steve tells us why he paired with Albie Aware for this very personal and important mission.We also see what Steve has been up to since Year One of the brewfest, including buying into partial ownership of Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn, getting married, and still. not. asking. for help. with the brewfest.We'll delve lightly into why it's hard to ask for help, perfectionism, and what makes for a damn good Old Fashioned.This and so much more, on the latest episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice.BUY TICKETS TO I CAN FIGHT CAN

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 entertainment landscape where the usual pipelines are clogged. But instead of complaining, Garin finds the positives in pursuing your passion even though the financial realities can be a challenge. We also discuss Garin's love of pairing Thai iced tea with Thai food and what his heat tolerance is.If you want to see how to grow your skills, pursue a new path, or learn to laugh at yourself, this is the episode for you.Follow Garin Flowers across social media @garinflowersLearn more about This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, Barley & Me, Ben Rice's comedy and comedy productions, other podcasts, etc., follow @barleyandmepod or go to www.barleyandmepod.comLogo by Jaclyn WeiandIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be B

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 for major publications, as well as her upcoming art installation at SOMA. If you've ever wanted an inside look at the collapsing newspaper industry and where journalism could go as trust has eroded, grab a nicely sweetened milky caffeine drink and tune into this very episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben RiceYou can find Liv Monahan on IG @thelivstylerCheck out This Is Why I Drink..., Barley & Me, Ben Rice's comedy and pollitical stances on IG/FB @barleyandmepod or by going to www.barleyandmepod.comJoin the Barley & Me Pod-uctions mailing list to learn about recent and upcoming shows, podcasts, and more, plus get discounts to ticketed events: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OwEXR-y_MYz6Dp-QB9uPaneXboQ-

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 water. And that choice...was Folsom Prison.But since that's a museum, Ben upped the danger by selecting the active California State Penitentiary, located in Folsom, CA. So we camped out across the street, with the beautiful Folsom Dam behind us, to record this episode about true crime, coconuts, advertising, and Nick's attempts to break in... to the American comedy market.THIS EPISODE IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE, if you wish to watch us imbibe this sacred beverage on such sacred ground. https://youtu.be/33CKu2_r0i8You can find out so much more about Nick Rado and his comedy, radio, and podcast adventures on IG @nickradocomedyYou can learn more about this podcast, This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, the original podca

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 status of TFP's reunion, showing up to SisQo's house parties, mechanical keyboards, why we podcast in general, the sound of modern metal records, as well as, obviously, why a hazy IPA from Slice is his beverage of choice. And you know we covered so much more ground, because that's what we do for a "living."Be on the lookout for the video version of this episode on YouTube! I fixed the issue from last episode but it's 2am, so give me some time to do the actual edit, please!Again, thank you to Slice Beer Co (@slicebeerco) and Old Town Pizza Lincoln (@otplincoln) for having us and letting us use your space on such short notice, and for delivering killer beer and pizza for years.Thanks to CJ (@g0dcomplex) for popping on t

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 night, so expect a lot of bang for your buck with this very much free episode.ALSO: There will be many references to the video of this episode, but one of the files got corrupted so...no. But we have a YouTube for this, I swear!Karens are gonna Karen, so Madame Lewis drives hard through conversations about the history of electronics, weird thumbs, pooping so hard you pass out, being raised by lesbians, stealing friends, and all the many, many reasons she drinks...cider and other gluten-free beverages due to Celiac's disease. Somehow, she undersells herself throughout the episode.Be sure to learn more about Karen at her website think4it.com or across social media @think4itNitty's Cider (now with beer!) can be found at n

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 and your joie de vivre high!Some might call it the bottom shelf, some might call it cost-effective drunkenness, and for others like Jesse, it's just because the flavor isn't why we're here. Walk down Jesse's long road of life, taking him from the burgeoning Sacramento sketch and improv scene to the fast-paced, high-flying, Chicago-influenced sketch and improv scene of Los Angeles in the early aughts, and back to Sacramento, where he has spread his wings to develop one of the internet's most inexplicable comedy game show/podcast/writing competitions, the long-running STAB!, which existed before its titular comedy club STAB! Comedy Theater. Bask in Jesse's well-crafted improv character stylings and scene chewing recur

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 Kalea drinks it, as we also discuss her time in the ROTC, acting, theme parks, lifetime bans, bad jobs, harassment, a dash of 9/11, and, oh yeah, comedy. Including the fact that she is headlining Ben's new show The Bomb Shelter on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 9pm at The Silver Lining in Sacramento. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com or at the door.Learn more about Kalea McNeill at www.kaleamcneill.com or on socials  @WhateverKalea Follow Ben Rice, Barley & Me, and This Is Why I Drink... @barleyandmepod or find shows, other podcasts, and more at www.barleyandmepod.comIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)Logo by Ben

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 (@lacey.m.carroll) about this weekend's (Friday March 28/Saturday March 29, 2025) Femme Fest at Sacramento Comedy Spot (tickets at www.saccomedyspot.com/femmefest) while seated on the patio at Sacramento's first Belgian beer bar, Pangaea Bier Cafe.Lacey is a big fan of saisons, so we started with Sante Adairius's Jaybird, a foudre-aged saison with mango. We then tried a beer both of us were hesitant on, a hoppy brown from Ghost Town called Rust & Ruin.Aside from Femme Fest, we also discussed Lacey's attempts to get into improv at the age of 12, why she loves a good saison, merch-making, marketing, corporate comedy, and how local news journalists have some of the worst background work instincts on the planet.All this and more

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 Barrel Proof Lounge. Together, we'll discuss Moonlight's magnificent flagship beers, their efforts to keep to their goal of clean, beautiful beers that still break the rules in an increasingly bolder craft model; replacing hops with redwoods; and do side by sides of Bombay By Boat IPA on draft and on cask and Reality Czech versus its supercharged cousin 14 P Special. Plus! FeBREWary, which takes place every Saturday in February, which involves a free shuttle between Sonoma County mainstays Moonlight, Shady Oak, Cooperage, Iron Ox, Cuvee, and Russian River (Windsor); doing comedy on a dare; and some of Ben's worst ideas ever. Enjoy!You can always learn more about Moonlight Brewing at moonlightbrewing.com or on IG @moon

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 anniversary ales as well as the Monk's Cellar Festbier, since we recorded during their Oktoberfest celebration.Obviously, I am most excited for their final anniversary event, the return of FIRKINFEST! Which we discuss at length, sure, but you can also hear about body-changing saisons, harvesting yeast, working with mixed culture barrels, and our shared love of old-school British-style beers. Plus! Special FOOD anniversary collaborations, Andy and Amber's early days in Davis, growing out of the concept of 'favorites,' and beer judging woes. All this and more, on episode 184 of Barley & Me! (and Anniversary 10 of Monk's Cellar!) Enjoy!Find out more about the anniversary, the brewery, the bourbon collection, the foo

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 Rancho Cordova, from 1pm-5pm for VIPs and 2-5 for everyone else. This the bigger, better, more marketable version of Steve's initial project, F*** Cancer, which we discussed last year.In this episode, we talk about why this fundraiser is so important, who it helps, how it helps, and all the breweries that responded with no hesitation. Before I forget, you can grab your tickets, buy shirts, or just donate at give.albieaware.org. Albie Aware supports breast cancer research as well as provides financial benefits to people fighting breast cancer, helping to deal with the cost of medical care as well as the hidden costs associated with a breast cancer diagnosis. While we continue to fight to learn more and find a way to eradic

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 past, present, and future of Sudwerk specifically and beer in general, in three separate parts, recorded in their new outdoor seating area, in their new restaurant, and in their meeting hall. In part 3, we're joined by surprise guest (he just happened to be there while we recorded), Chris White of White Labs!Join us as we discuss the origins of what was once America's #1 craft brewery for pints poured, including how it started as a hobby for Trenton's grandfather and his friends and how their original brewer stopped making beer for Sudwerk (and how the design of the brewhouse was meant to keep it from happening). Plus! Professional pilsner battles! Gateway beers! Open fermentation! And so much more, like the ever-hov

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 of these brewers/breweries, we also talk up the debut CervezaLandia pop-up beer festival and market, taking place Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 2-6pm at Cesar Chavez Park in Sacramento, which features 8 Mexicano/Chicano-owned breweries, arts and crafts, vendors, music, and more. You can find tickets on Eventbrite or at the door. Plus! Enrique's goal to make Coatza Elk Grove's go-to venue for live music and the creation of the inaugural Elk Grove Music Festival (and plans for year two), CervezaLandia's taproom dreams (and how you can help), and making your local brewery a truly family-friendly space. All this and more, on the latest episode of Barley & Me. Enjoy!You can follow CervezaLandia's latest offerings on Insta

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 Rising Together guild collaboration (among other things). In past years, it's been an IPA using certain ingredients, but this year, in honor of the Sacramento Brewers Showcase happening on Saturday May 4 (at Heart Health Park), they're honoring May the 4th Be With You, by letting breweries choose the Light Side or Dark Side, allowing for a wide range of beer styles and flavors, and reminding consumers of the vast array of beers available in the beer scene and what differentiates each brewery. Plus! Taprooms and bars are back in business at Sac Beer Week 2024! Internal strife has diminished that in recent years, but those are the sins of the father, not the current administration, who is working hard to recapture the spi

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 while couch surfing, business ownership, and pursuing passions, while also finding time to drink an absolutely fabulous green tea Japanese rice lager and a killer new version of LogOff's Lazy Hazy Days IPA. Plus! Even more strange connections between us all, the oddities of axe throwing, beer pong, perhaps too much about the weather, Pope impersonation, and cramming cookies and cream into a fermenter. All this and so much more, on episode 180 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Check out the shenanigans and goings on at LogOff Brewing by following @logoffbrewingExplore the world with Birungi Birungi on IG @birgunicomedyBarley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Check out past episodes, show dates, and more, a

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 discuss the ups and downs of 2023, what we're looking forward to in 2024, and what is going on with Alfonso's head. Plus! Psoriasis, being 86'd, the closing of a hallowed comedy venue, the TikTokification of stand-up, and the worst pipelines in Sacramento. We're looking at a pretty solid 2024, y'all, so get on board. All this and so, so much more, on episode 179 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod.Don't forget to look for past episodes, upcoming comedy shows, and so much more at barleyandmepod.comEmail questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepod@gmail.comIntro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)Interstit

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 said anniversary party). While we do get into specifics about what the co-op model means for him, the company, its employees, the city of Sacramento, and potential members, first, we take our sweet-ass time getting there by wishing Dave a happy 50th birthday (because he was kind enough to sit down with me on his birthday), discussing a variety of topics, such as reincarnation, Carl Sagan's Cosmos, Ben's past career in music journalism, Sacramento's odd behavior toward the arts and passion projects, Sacramento history lost to time, capitalism's war on positive change, and that old bugaboo Nationalized Healthcare. Plus! Again, so much detail about what this co-operative is, how it will work, what you can expect and how y

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.Unfortunately, Corky could not attend the recording due to a family event and Ben had to miss the documentary screening for similar reasons, so Paulina handles this one almost entirely on her own. And does an EXCELLENT job.One Pint at a Time is a beer documentary focusing on Black beer history, from the invention of beer, early brewing, up to the modern day, where many still see it as odd if a Black person likes, let alone makes, beer. Through discussions with Black brewers and brewery owners, and trips to breweries throughout the world, regardless of ownership, the Hoses try to provide proof to everyone that if you have a dream or a passion, it is worth pursuing."We" also discuss energy vampires, correcting ignoranc