Barley & Me

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 sense? We'll try!Ryan got his start with San Jose's Strike Brewing and has carried their passion for low ABV beers to his latest endeavor, in part due to his ties to the exercise/climbing community, and teamed up with WEAVE to provide education to the greater Sacramento brewing community about what to look for when it comes to signifiers of potential sexual assault and abuse.Jess joins us to discuss her work with WEAVE, to dispel some myths about assault, and to find the points of joy in the work she does and the moments we share as individuals.So, get ready for a robust conversation of some serious topics and some shocking 80s music trivia, plus hot takes on frozen beer glasses, slushee beers, and Vanilla Ice (i

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 nightcap beverage, how to de-funk the typically odorous beverage, and the US's combative relationship with the unhoused and why a documentary like Unhoused Neighbors could help with that. Plus! Experimentation in the kombucha world (what does Cherry Chai Kombucha even taste like?), the many health aspects of the drink in question, some of the outreach programs available via Loaves & Fishes, and Ben's tech metal/societal ideology crossover theory for DEI. All this and more, on episode 170 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Preston is set to film for an entire year, following different individuals through each season of the year. You can find out more at unhousedneighbors.com. Follow their journey on IG @unhousedneighbors_Find

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 Loescher. Over cans of Best Days beverages, we discuss the current movement to a less alcohol-centric social life, creating space for everyone, and showing up as yourself in difficult situations. Plus! Cold press filtration! The healing arts and the art of healing! Accidental research! And so much more, including what a teetotalist even is, how you can help the less-privileged gain access to creative spaces, and my first adaptogenic beverage experience. All this and more, on episode 169 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about The Teetotalist (830 K St, Sacramento, CA until the end of March 2023, when they may locate a more permanent space) on IG @theteetotalistsacCheck out Grace Loescher's work with The Creation

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! We go from THE definitive saison, to clones of that saison, to slight variations to wild experimentations, while recapping our years, bickering like old friends, praising the Sacramento comedy scene as being unlike any other in the world (and why that seemingly self-important stance is provably true), and getting, well, let's face it, progressively drunker, as this episode carries on. All told, we drink, discuss, and review ten, count em, 10, different saisons from around the world (but mostly the California area, with a HEAVY emphasis on Peter Hoey/Urban Roots Brewery & Smokehouse creations). Barbers! Brussel sprouts! Ballpark Hot Dogs! Ben's Condiment Bindle! Biscuits and Gravy! Bleu Cheese! Ben's Infamous Black

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 implies, focuses on fermentation in all its wonder, as they tackle cider, wine, seltzer, hard kombucha, regular kombucha, probiotic sodas, hot sauces, charcuterie, salsas, and more. With a focus on locally-sourced, environmental-friendly ingredients and materials, these wunderkinds pack a punch in a tiny package, having carved out a small corner space at the Rocklin Crossings shopping center.In this episode, we discuss long sleepless nights, parental pressure to make this a sports bar, and which is the best human meat (part two!). Plus! A LIVE salsa tasting, Lauren confusion, and making your hometown proud.All this and more, on episode 167 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Get more information on Mindscape Fermentations, their

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 Japas & Friends Celebration, which celebrated their collaboration with Tetra Hotel in Sunnyvale.We talked about their current attempts to infiltrate the U.S. market with Beerternational's help (10 states and counting), the insanity of their promotional trip to introduce their product, and their focus on blending their Brazilian and Japanese roots when crafting their beers.Plus! Intertwining their past and present to build their future, Brazil's prohibitive craft beer pricing (the answer shouldn't surprise you), an exciting use of cacao, and their very special Maru series of beers, which honor the 110th anniversary of Japanese integration to Brazil (I won't spoil the full story they uncovered)! All this and more, on ep

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 surprise guest, directorMarena Domingo. This episode was recorded at Drake's The Barn in Sacramento immediately after a showing of the film and a women in beer roundtable (which was also recorded, with permission, for this episode!)We discuss Paulina's years-long efforts to help Marena make this documentary a reality and get it viewed in Sacramento (even longer than Leonard Malting has been a thing!), what "girl beer" is/isn't, and the differences in treatment of male vs female taproom/brewery staff by customers. Plus! The endless doubt of knowledge, expertise, and experience of female-identifying workers, adorable skunks, and responsible kid ownership. All this and so much more, on this episode of Barley & Me Presen

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 customers (or customers cool, whatever), instant cider varieties, and local musicians we love. Plus! Failure (fear of); Chipotle (hacks); and annoying people (who offer business advice and/or ask for an address after you give them the name of a venue). Oh yeah, and cider cider cider! All this and more, on episode 165 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Nitty's Cider @nittysciderGet all that BBQ, beer, and wine goodness at Husick's Taphouse @husickstaphouseBarley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.comBen is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barley

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 appear for the ep, which is totally fine. We talk about Brian's slow but steady transition to full time artistry after being a graphic designer for hire, our favorite breweries (sorry to all we forgot to name), time management, and volunteering. PLUS! Brian's inspiration for his two children's book, Ben's own failed book venture, dumb teenage rebellion, and all the Folsom history you need to know! All this and more, on episode 164 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!You can find out more about Brian Wallace's art at the aptly-named www.brianwallaceart.com or find his books (Daisy & The Dirty Dozen or Winnie & Ruby's Folsom ABC Adventure) at Ruby's Books in Folsom - 724 Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630, www.rubysfolsom.comDon

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 www.sacramentobeerweek.com for tickets - also, I might have access to some free tickets - follow me @barleyandmepod for details!), Sacramento Beer Week's fraught history, Jackrabbit's recent 9th anniversary celebration, and mathematics. PLUS! Ben runs TOO MANY RAD COMEDY SHOWS ON THE LEAD-UP TO BEER WEEK (seriously, scroll down for info), Erle tells Ben the difference between kolsch and pilsner, and thinly-veiled "hilarous" jabs are taken between host and guest, in this absolute romp/breeze of an episode. Speaking of Breez, did you know original Barley & Me theme song composer Breez recently worked with (hed) p.e. on their latest record? Check out "F*** What You Say" which he does the entirety of the production and backing

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, the challenges and successes of starting it during COVID, winning Athletic Brewing's Trailblazer award, Melissa's path from casual drinker to executive director, and becoming a 501(c)3. Plus! Incredible stories coming to this year's event (April 23 & 24, again digitally - get your tickets at www.wcfa.beer), what's new for this year, and what's in the future for this wonderful interactive event.Again, get your tickets at www.wcfa.beer for just $40 (sale ends March 15 - $50 after that). First 300 ticket buyers also get an interactive bonus box loaded with sensory and other goodies to pair with talks throughout the summit. Plus, check out details on the Women's International Beer Summit digital happy hour April

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 first Black-owned brewery in Oakland and why loudly and proudly stating that is important, as well as the importance of visual storytelling. Plus! Karinda's debut album Black and Blue (available now on Blonde Medicine), Louisiana gumbo do's and don't's, changing generational thought, and beating your children at Mario Kart. All this and more, on the latest episode of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Hella Coastal @ www.hellacoastal.com or follow them across social media @hellacoasta (Venmo hella-coastal)Be sure to check out Karinda's new album Black & Blue wherever you get your albums, or find it on Blonde Medicine (vinyl available!). And of course, follow Karinda @karinadobbins (Venmo Karinda-Dobbins

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 and tastemakers across the United States. (Hint: they're doing a full event, including the collaborators, at Full Circle on February 19, so stop in!) Plus! Comedy! Accounting! Surprise cider side projects! Spicy foods! And Ta'Vi tries a sour for the first time ever. It's quick, it's dirty, it's in the midst of a comedy show, and Art could not be more inviting as we challenge palates and change minds. Enjoy!Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Got guest/brewery ideas or questions? Email Ben at barleyandmepod@gmail.com or barleyandmepodcast@gmail.comAlso, during the ongoing COVID crisis, 100% of profits from sales of Barley & Me shirts via Zen-Threads.com will go to Another Round, Another

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 be no more, as the cards were stacked against it. And that's kinda the vibe here, as we all brought a beer that was at least one year old, starting strong with Corky's pick of Great Divide Barrel Aged Yeti, sliding back to reality with one of COVID's early victims, San Leandro's Cleophus Quealy's barrel aged farmhouse ale Dark Horse, then ruining the reality of love with Paulina's pick, a Pliny the Younger TIPA bottled on 2/14/2020. From the best of bestiality (jokes) to the secret joys of colonoscopies, this episode shines a light on the absurdity that has been our past two years, with a sarcastic and, sadly, dejected eye on 2022. Oh, and we have two secret additional beers you need to tune in to find out about,

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 minorities, women, and LGBTQIA+ members of the craft beer/wine/spirits industry. Instead of featuring a roundtable of locals, Ben is calling for stories near and far, so if you have stories/feedback about before/during/after those revelations, please check out the link below. Your story may be shared on a future episode. In the meantime, be better, demand better, and have a safe and happy holiday season. Cheers!Submit your feedback/story: https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6I do invite you to share this link with people who have experienced/witnessed, hell, even performed, these issues.Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepodGot questions/suggestions? Email me at barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or

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 Quirk-y craft beers (and more streamlined ones as well, stream/salmon pun intentional), as well as the challenges of being deemed "organic", and getting local farmers to buy in on craft beer. Plus! Mainstem's fundraising campaign through WeFunder (ends November 18th! Buy in for as little as $100!), malt-chewing ASMR, spineless beers, and Ben's attempt to solve the out-of-state distribution law issues using this one clever trick! All this and so much more, on episode 157 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about the beers and activities at Quirk Brewing by going to www.quirkbrewing.com or following them across social media @quirkbrewingVisit www.mainstemmalt.com to learn more about the craft malt movement or www.wefunde

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 discuss the need for more alcohol in professional sports, their upcoming collabs with Slugfest Games and Thick Vatos, perfect pop punk albums, and their new comedy nights starring Joey "Joseph" Stults! Plus! Jim's tie to a controversial World Series moment! Wart Hog Road Trips! And a bold new trivia championship belt! All this and more, on episode 156 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about the beers and events at LogOff Brewing, and their LogOff tips, @logoffbrewingBarley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.comAnd be sure to learn more about the Black Is Beautiful Initiat

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 2. Plus! Brew Your Story, an event inside the event, and the beers they're brewing for this, including a collaboration with past guest D Neal of Beer Talk Now. We also tell our own stories, about finding beer, getting into the craft beer industry, and even finding love. Which of course leads to a very important question: what kind of beer education do you give your children and how? Plus! Coffee education! Accidental IPA! And catchphrase creation! All this and more, on episode 155 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about People's Beer Co. at www.peoplesbeerco.comCheck out the People's Harvest Time Jubilee kickoff at Oak Park Brewing in Sacramento on Saturday, October 2. Get tickets at the venue or on eventbrite.c

Host Ben Rice travels to Urban Roots Brewing in Sacramento, CA, to speak with beer journalist and author Tara Nurin about her new book (out now on Chicago Review Press - use promo code BarleyAndMe25 to receive 25% off) A Woman's Place Is In the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches and CEOs, as well as co-host of KRSO's Brew HaHa drive time radio show, Herlinda Heras, and the founder of the Women's International Beer Summit, Melissa McCann. 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! Herlinda's tremendous resume outside of beer, Melissa downplays her involvement AGAIN, and Tara tracks down the unfindable. All this and more, on episode 154 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Go to www.chicagoreviewpress.com/ to purchase A Woman's Place Is In the Bre

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 Moving Van Show. Plus! Running a home brew supply shop and a brewery at the same time, the art of macro lager vs the excitement of craft beer, a letter from a beloved smoothie company, and Erik's favorite local haunts. All this and more, on episode 153 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!Find out more about Red Bus Brewing @redbusbrewFollow Shahera Hyatt @shaherazhad and find the Moving Van Show monthly @movingvanshowBarley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.comAnd be sure to learn more about the Black Is Beautiful Initiative, as featured in Episode 129 with Marcus Baskerville of Weathered Sou