Sacramento's Ben Rice travels to breweries and has conversations with the makers of your favorite beers and the people who drink them. Spoiler Alert: The beer dies at the end.
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Sep 28, 2026 · 37:07
Steve Hayer, founder of I Can Fight Cancer Brewfest, tells us why he drinks American lager...with Ben Rice. We'll discuss this year's edition of the brewfest, taking place at The…
Sep 11, 2026 · 34:01
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's Crocker Art Museum to host a Brewery and Brews Talk as part of ArtMix: Beer Garden. Joining him to discuss Sacramento's farm to fork, slow…
Aug 31, 2026 · 52:00
On this episode of This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, I sit down with comedian Jesse Rivera to find out why he drinks cafecito and how that reflects his upbringing, his life,…
Feb 27, 2026 · 45:51
Runnin' for Rhett's Gina Schauland joins host Ben Rice for a flight of Bike Dog East Sacramento beers to discuss the upcoming 16th Capitol Beerfest (Saturday, March 7). Gina…
Jan 12, 2026 · 41:01
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…
Oct 3, 2025 · 49:05
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…
Aug 11, 2025 · 30:48
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.…
Jul 21, 2025 · 33:20
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…
Jul 9, 2025 · 27:29
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…
May 12, 2025 · 44:36
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!)…
May 6, 2025 · 58:08
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…
Apr 22, 2025 · 1:26:17
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,…
Mar 31, 2025 · 46:25
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…
Mar 26, 2025 · 52:47
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,…
Jan 22, 2025 · 1:08:32
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…
Oct 10, 2024 · 1:26:47
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…
Aug 19, 2024 · 55:45
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…
Jul 22, 2024 · 1:05:23
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…
Jun 3, 2024 · 54:51
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…
Apr 8, 2024 · 54:22
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…
Mar 18, 2024 · 1:30:56
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…
Mar 6, 2024 · 1:55:54
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…
Dec 4, 2023 · 1:14:10
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…
Oct 24, 2023 · 37:29
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…
Sep 25, 2023 · 48:23
Host Ben Rice travels to Elk Grove, CA, to discuss Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts co-found Steve Hayer's fundraising campaign F Cancer, with Flatland Brewing owner Andrew…
Sep 18, 2023 · 58:14
Host Ben Rice travels to Santa Cruz, CA, to talk to Woodhouse Blending & Brewing's do-it-all guy Tim Carpenter and Santa Cruz-based comedian Mac Ruiz. We'll tackle Woodhouse's…
Jul 31, 2023 · 1:01:34
Host Ben Rice travels to Davis, CA, to celebrate Dunloe Brewing's 6th anniversary weekend with owner/brewer Brennan Fleming, plus comedian Jozalyn Sharp, hot off the release of…
Jul 11, 2023 · 1:25:05
Barley & Me host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento's New Helvetia Brewing to tag team owner Dave Gull with the fine fellows, the bombastic barbers, the jazzed-up joys Jason Dunn and…
Apr 10, 2023 · 22:06
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA, to sit down with the Sacramento Area Brewer's Guild's executive administrator Mai-Sam Baumann, to discuss Sacramento Beer Week 2023,…
Mar 20, 2023 · 55:52
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…
Mar 1, 2023 · 38:03
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…
Feb 14, 2023 · 36:03
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…
Feb 3, 2023 · 1:53:28
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)…
Jan 11, 2023 · 1:21:46
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…
Sep 12, 2022 · 53:29
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…
Aug 16, 2022 · 1:37:03
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…
Jul 25, 2022 · 1:43:44
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…
May 31, 2022 · 1:29:38
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…
Apr 13, 2022 · 33:12
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…
Mar 14, 2022 · 34:32
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…
Mar 9, 2022 · 1:28:18
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…
Feb 16, 2022 · 39:58
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…
Jan 17, 2022 · 1:45:37
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…
Nov 29, 2021 · 6:56
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…
Nov 15, 2021 · 1:17:47
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…
Oct 21, 2021 · 1:08:26
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…
Oct 1, 2021 · 1:21:33
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…
Sep 21, 2021 · 1:02:21
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…
Sep 6, 2021 · 1:54:04
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…
Aug 24, 2021 · 1:26:57
Host Ben Rice travels (digitally) to New Braunfels, Texas, and Sacramento, CA to interview Kelly Meyer of New Braunfels Brewing and music journalist Aaron Carnes. We talk about…
Aug 9, 2021 · 1:12:06
Host Ben Rice travels to Denver, CO, to sit down with David Lin, co-founder of Comrade Brewing, and Jake Weber, co-owner of Denver's Seafood Landing. We talk about Comrade's…
Jul 26, 2021 · 1:01:35
Host Ben Rice meets up with podcaster KinkySudz of Sudz Under the Sun and the Black Nerd Friday podcasts (plus two upcoming projects) at Sacramento's Oak Park Brewing to discuss…
Jul 12, 2021 · 1:06:50
Host Ben Rice travels to Denver, CO, to talk to owner/brewer Ashleigh Carter of esteemed Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Besides "why lager" and "a WOMAN in BEER?!?," we also discuss soccer…
Jun 28, 2021 · 1:19:44
Host Ben Rice travels to Littleton, CO, to chat with owner/operator Jason Bell of Living the Dream Brewing about the challenges of COVID-19, plus the joys of living the dream.…
Jun 14, 2021 · 1:22:17
Host Ben Rice travels to Ft. Collins, Colorado, to talk to brewer/owner Charlie Hoxmeier of Gilded Goat Brewing and the associate director of the Colorado State University…
May 31, 2021 · 50:32
Host Ben Rice travels to Alameda, CA, to conduct Barley & Me's long-postponed 125th episode, a video episode with Almanac Beer Co's brewmaster Phillip Emerson and Admiral…
May 17, 2021 · 1:21:54
Host Ben Rice travels to Fort Collins, CO, to continue Maltster May(hem) with Chris Schooley and Steve Clark of Troubadour Maltings and Carol & Tim Cochran of Horse & Dragon…
May 12, 2021 · 1:13:16
Host Ben Rice kicks off Maltster May(hem) with Fort Collins's Root Shoot Malting founders Todd & Emily Olander and Natalie Yoder, co-owner of the brand-new Fort Collins brewery…
May 3, 2021 · 1:20:05
Host Ben Rice travels to Fort Collins, CO, to talk to Purpose Brewing & Cellars's owners/brewers Peter & Frezi Bouckaert about their distinguished history in beer and world…
Apr 19, 2021 · 50:50
Host Ben Rice travels to Denver, Colorado, to record his first on-site episode in over a year! Ben sits down with Great Divide's marketing manager Matt Sandy and…
Apr 5, 2021 · 1:27:16
Host Ben Rice sits down (virtually) with Sacramento Pink Boots Society members Paulina Olivares and Bia Hoskins (Blaker Brewing/Drake's: The Barn) to talk about the 2021 Pink…
Mar 22, 2021 · 1:19:57
Barley & Me host Ben Rice is joined by Paulina Olivares (Sacramento Pink Boots Society) and Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) to review this week's beer-centric flick,…
Mar 11, 2021 · 50:17
We always say the best candidates are ones you want to have a beer with. So Barley & Me host Ben Rice decided to start Beer on the Ballot, conversations with candidates for state…
Mar 8, 2021 · 1:19:28
Host Ben Rice, along with Beer Talk Now!'s D Neal, travels (virtually) to Springdale, Arkansas, to talk to Core Brewing's two brewers, Rodrigo Medina and Jamie Conway. Two…
Feb 24, 2021 · 1:27:37
In this episode of Barley & Me Presents: Leonard Malting, host Ben Rice and the crew (Paulina Olivares of the Sacramento Pink Boots Society and Corky McDonnell of the Dare Daniel…
Feb 22, 2021 · 1:13:18
Host Ben Rice sits down with MaKendree VanHall of Greater Purpose Brewing (Santa Cruz, CA) and Amy Miller, comedian and host of the Who's Your God? Podcast. Greater Purpose…
Feb 9, 2021 · 1:27:29
Barley & Me host Ben Rice joins up with Paulina Olivares (Sacramento Pinks Boots Society) and Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) to review the 2006 cinematic classic Beerfest!…
Jan 25, 2021 · 1:16:15
Host Ben Rice travels (virtually) to Los Angeles to talk to Common Space Brewing's first employee, brewer Josie Becker, and Molly Sanchez, comedian, wine writer, and host of The…
Jan 11, 2021 · 1:40:44
Host Ben Rice travels (digitally) to Half Moon Bay, CA and the suburbs of Manchester, England, to chat with musician and brewer/owner Dan Littlefield of Hop Dogma Brewing and…
Dec 28, 2020 · 2:36:18
Host Ben Rice recaps and winds down a hellacious 2020 over some bodacious Mexican lagers with the help of an esteemed panel of comedy friends and lovers, including Emma Haney,…
Dec 21, 2020 · 1:15:51
Host Ben Rice travels (virtually) to Lynn, MA, to talk to Bent Water Brewing's president and co-founder Aaron Reames, as well as their process engineering manager/technical…
Dec 14, 2020 · 55:57
Host Ben Rice sits down with beer journalist and author of the upcoming book, "A Woman’s Place Is In The Brewhouse" Tara Nurin, as well as Kaytlin Bailey, a comedian and host of…
Dec 7, 2020 · 1:00:23
On this episode of our all-new beer & basketball podcast Hoops & Hops (stay tuned to the end for our re-brand!), hosts Ben Rice and Phil Webster break down the 2019-2020 NBA…
Nov 23, 2020 · 1:36:17
Barley & Me host Ben Rice joins co-hosts Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) & Paulina Olivares (Sacramento Pink Boots Society) for this beer-centric movie podcast offshoot,…
Nov 16, 2020 · 1:24:21
Host Ben Rice travels (virtually) to Richmond, CA, to talk to East Brother Beer Co's brewers Rob Lightner & Paul Liszewski, along with guest Amanda Glynn, a scientist and…
Oct 26, 2020 · 1:19:04
Host Ben Rice chats with Brian Moore, a comedian and former employee of Santa Clara Valley Brewing and Fort Point Brewing, and Kelly Berger, a person excited but hesitant to try…
Oct 5, 2020 · 1:45:24
Leonard Malting is the beer-focused movie review offshoot of Barley & Me Podcast, featuring B&M host Ben Rice, plus co-hosts Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) and Paulina…
Sep 21, 2020 · 1:28:34
Host Ben Rice connects with Los Angeles comedians JoAnn Schinderle and Mark Smalls to discuss their histories in the beer industry, their standup comedy, surviving the COVID-19…
Sep 8, 2020 · 50:53
Hoops & Hops is a beer and basketball podcast co-hosted by Phil Webster and Barley & Me's Ben Rice. In this episode, we talk about round one of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the…
Aug 31, 2020 · 23:21
In this special episode, host Ben Rice talks to absolutely no one! Oak Park Brewing in Sacramento had the good fortune of collaborating with the first Black-owned brewery in…
Aug 10, 2020 · 52:57
Barley & Me host Ben Rice joins co-host and chef Phil Webster for episode 3 of Hoops & Hops, a discussion of old- and new-school NBA basketball and beer. Episode 3 was recorded…
Aug 3, 2020 · 1:01:28
Host Ben Rice chats with Matt Vincent, owner/operator of Durango, Colorado's Oh Hi Beverage Company. Oh Hi is a beverage company focused on CBD and THC infused beverages with a…
Jul 20, 2020 · 1:24:50
Leonard Malting is the beer-focused movie review offshoot of the Barley & Me Podcast, featuring B&M host Ben Rice, plus co-hosts Corky McDonnell (Dare Daniel Podcast) and Paulina…
Jul 13, 2020 · 1:13:36
Host Ben Rice chats with "Doctor" Bill Sysak of San Marcos's Wild Barrel Brewing about their recent distribution expansion, fatherly love, the "San Diego style" of brand…
Jun 29, 2020 · 1:10:38
Barley & Me host Ben Rice teams up with Sacramento chef Phil Webster to talk basketball and beer, in episode 2 of Barley & Me Presents: Hoops & Hops! Today, we build on the…
Jun 22, 2020 · 52:05
Host Ben Rice travels to Claimstake Brewing in Rancho Cordova, CA, to talk to Marcus Baskerville, brewer at Weathered Souls Brewing in San Antonio, TX, about his history with…
Jun 15, 2020 · 1:42:28
Introducing Barley & Me's first-ever foray into movie reviews! Barley & Me host Ben Rice (codename: Leonard Malting) discusses the 2013 "romantic comedy" "Drinking Buddies" with…
Jun 1, 2020 · 1:00:29
Barley & Me host Ben Rice is using this COVID-19 shutdown to give brewers time to re-focus their businesses to handle this new reality. So, he's reached out to some of his…
May 4, 2020 · 1:07:23
Host Ben Rice gets his chance to talk to a few craft hop growers, Carla Wosoba (Wosoba Farms Hops) and Clinton Hirschfeld (Hirschfeld Hops), as well as comedian Amy Estes. We…
Apr 27, 2020 · 55:57
Host Ben Rice chats with Canadian musician/producer/craft beer enthusiast Jordon Zadorozny of pop-rock band/solo project Blinker the Star, to discuss Canadian craft beer, as well…
Apr 20, 2020 · 1:24:59
Host Ben Rice remote-calls Teri Fahrendorf, the founder of the Pink Boots Society, to talk about the creation of this wonderful program, its expansion, and why she had to fire…
Apr 13, 2020 · 1:01:29
Host Ben Rice practices shelter in place and social distancing by interviewing Mike Mraz of Mraz Brewing remotely. We chow down on chicken wings with various hot sauces while…
Mar 23, 2020 · 2:01:24
Host Ben Rice practices social distancing by ringing up Sacramento Beer Frontier's Aaron O'Callaghan to discuss the Coronavirus/COVID-19 and its potential effects on the beer…
Mar 16, 2020 · 1:14:57
Host Ben Rice travels to Chico, CA, to talk to the town's second-ever brewery, Secret Trail Brewing, and owner/brewer Charlie Barrett, as well as Chico's indie-pop darlings…
Mar 2, 2020 · 37:44
Host Ben Rice travels to PRINCETON!, California, to sit down with Farmers Brewing's Bill Weller. We talk about the humble beginnings of Farmers Brewing and how random…
Feb 17, 2020 · 56:12
Host Ben Rice travels to Sacramento, CA's Tower Brewing to talk to TV/radio/podcast producer Cindy Baker, plus Tower Brewing crew Mike Ungerbuhler (head brewer), Micah Ochej…
Feb 3, 2020 · 1:08:34
Host Ben Rice travels to the Art of Beer Invitational 2020 to conduct a handful of mini-interviews! In segment one, Ben sits down with Cynthia Lee and Trish Showen of DarkHeart…
Jan 20, 2020 · 1:19:44
Host Ben Rice travels to West Sacramento, CA, to chat with Jackrabbit Brewing's head brewer Rob Moreno and Sacramento-based improvisor Justine Lopez. We kick off 2020 with…
Jan 6, 2020 · 1:13:06
Host Ben Rice travels to New Helvetia Brewing in Sacramento, CA, to sit down with friends of the pod and truly terrific comedians Stephen Furey, Emma Haney, and Becky Lynn, to…
Dec 23, 2019 · 1:40:33
Host Ben Rice travels to San Diego, CA, to conduct mini-interviews during Karl Strauss’s Collabapalooza 2019! This is the second episode in that series of mini’s. In segment one,…
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Your podcast? Get the Podli badge for your site