Episode 179: Holiday High Life (w/ Stephen Furey, Emma Haney & Alfonso Portela), at Golden Bear

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.com
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 you can plan for the unexpected if you wish to join the membership, its efforts at equity, hyper-focusing on improving Sacramento while getting it drunk at the same time, and its $300 lifetime membership!
Find out more about this co-op effort and how to get involved (and answers to questions we maybe didn't answer on the episode) or just to see what they've got on tap and available to devour (I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR HERE: AFTER THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED, I HAD THE BIRRIA BURGER FROM CHEF NATE SOTO AND IT IS THE BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD AND IS IN THE TOP 10 THINGS I HAVE EATEN OF ANY KIND - TRULY, IF YOU SEE THIS ON SPECIAL, ORDER IT. ORDER IT FOR FRIENDS. BRING SOME HOME FOR LATER. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. BIRRIA BURGER. GET IT. GOOD GOODNESS.)
You can also learn more about host Ben Rice's other goings on and the podcast and what beers he's drinking by following him on social media @barleyandmepod or checking out the fairly-current new website, barleyandmepod.com
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
It's now been over a year since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 ignorance, the documentary festival circuit, the founding of the NB2A (National Black Brewers Association), 25+ years of documentary filmmaking, the first-ever Black beer festival FreshFest, and so much more.
If you have a beer-centric or heavily-beer-involved movie recommendation, let us know and maybe we’ll do this again!
Learn more about One Pint at a Time's scheduling on IG @onepintfilm or at www.onepintfilm.com
Find out more about PBS Sacramento at @pinkbootssacramento on Instagram
Check out Corky’s bad movie podcast on social media @daredanielpod, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Be sure to follow us for more info on future Barley & Me Presents! Editions, as we try to tackle music, movies, sports, and more!
Email questions/comments/concerns/Dream Teams to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music (not featured in this episode): “JamRoc” by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)
Thanks so much for listening.

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 Mohsenzadegan. Over pints of delicious Flatland beers, we discuss the reason Hayer started this campaign, how you can support it now and in the future, and the 4 F*** Cancer beer collaborations coming to the Sacramento area in October. This campaign goes to support local cancer-fighting charity Albie Aware. You can support by grabbing a collaboration pint at Urban Roots on October 7, at Flatland on October 14, at Claimstake on October 21, and/or at Crooked Lane October 28. Steve will be selling special nucleated glassware at each location as well. We also catch up with Andrew, discussing his COVID-forced expansion, his leading man good looks and charm, and his constant pursuit of perfection. Oh yeah, and did you know if you buy a pint of each beer and a F*** Cancer glass at each location, you will be entered to win a brew day AT Flatland WITH Andrew? Wowowow! What an absolute dream. So sit back and enjoy as we brainstorm ways to fund cancer research and treatment while Ben overexplains pretty much everything, on episode 177 of Barley & Me. FUCK CANCER, now and forever. Enjoy!
Funds from Steve's F*** Cancer event go to Albie Aware - go to albieaware.org to donate or for more information
Check out Steve's beer group, Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts, on Facebook
Find out all about Flatland beers and their new(ish) food program @flatlandbrewing
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Check out past episodes, show dates, and more, at the newly-revamped barleyandmepod.com
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
It's now been over a year since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 support of Santa Cruz's local arts community, tap line cleanliness, and second-hand pop culture when we're not busy figuring out what our ages are again, where we were on 9/11 (this episode was recorded on 9/11), and discovering just how severe our tinnitus is. Plus! Mac gets accused of killing the Santa Cruz comedy scene, we come up with a million-dollar beer idea, we figure out why Mac's stomach hates beer right now, Tim delves into the blending of Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, and we try to figure out how to help crying children when there are no parents in sight. Yes, this is a beer podcast. This is episode 176 of Barley & Me. You're gonna love it.
Learn what's going on RIGHT NOW at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing by following them on IG @woodhousebrews
Get more intel on the Santa Cruz scene and Mac's career path @itsmacruiz
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Check out our fancy new website barleyandmepod.com
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
It's now been over a year since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 her debut album Five Ten Two Eighty. Over some pints of absolutely incredible sours, we go deep on the rewards of brewing with farm-fresh fruit, the inherent issues with weed brownies, and reasoning with zombies. Plus! We maybe start our own commune, sort out this pesky "cancel culture" business, and come to grips with all the trails and tribulations of aging. If that seems like a lot and maybe makes you a little uncomfortable, well, you can untangle your pubes and leave. All this and more, on episode 174 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
You can find Jozalyn Sharp across social media @jozalynsharp or at jozalynsharp.com
Be sure to visit Dunloe Brewing and The Local whenever you get a chance and learn what they have going on on IG @dunloebrewing
And be sure to learn more about the Black Is Beautiful Initiative, as featured in Episode 129 with Marcus Baskerville of Weathered Souls Brewing, at www.blackisbeautiful.beer
Get your merch or make donations at www.customink.com/fundraising/black-is-beautiful-initiative
Also, during this crisis, 100% of profits from sales of Barley & Me shirts via Zen-Threads.com will go to Another Round, Another Rally, a charity that supports front- and back-of-house members of the service industry whose wages and benefits may be affected. So grab a shirt and help a good cause and people you love! https://zen-threads.com/collections/beer-wine/products/barley-and-me-podcast-mens-crew-tee?fbclid=IwAR1G_5HJ3NCoWTRgmG6Q2PVALEiJsb1KtHClCaDli0NhsjZsc4KPmWCp_os
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos intermittently on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for those affected by the shutdown or just life in general. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously, to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 Justin Williams of the A Little Off The Top Podcast.
We'll crisscross topics like city planning, podcasting for profit, New Helvetia's new kitchen, and the best biscuits and gravy while also telling intense stories about best friends, power hours, and a dash of state-sanctioned insurance fraud. Plus! The ALOTTP interesting convenience store find of the week, vasectomies (and other dude stuff), and old Old Sacramento history. All this and more, on the latest episode of Barley & Me (and A Little Off the Top!). Enjoy!
Seriously, check out A Little Off the Top wherever you get your podcasts. Give em a follow @alittleoffthetoppod
New Helvetia's 11th anniversary is coming up, so keep an eye on their socials @newhelvetiabrew
You can find out what Ben is up to in the podcast and comedy game by checking out the newly-revamped barleyandmepod.com
Barley & Me is now Barley & Me Pod-uctions due to the sheer volume of comedy shows Ben currently runs. If you're in the greater Sacramento region, we have something for you. I hate promotion.
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it. It's now been over a year since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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, kicking off April 22 and ending April 30. We discuss the transition to local focus, how the pandemic affected the craft industry, and adapting to changes in the general craft beer culture. Plus! Logistics! Communication pitfalls! The Rising Together collaboration effort! Instant feedback! And so much more. On episode 172 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Learn more about Sacramento Beer Week 2023 @sacramentobeerweek on IG or at sacramentobeerweek.com
Check out the inner workings of the SABG at sacramentoareabrewersguild.org
And definitely give SacYard Community Taphouse a follow @sacyard.beer
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Don't forget to check out the all-new barleyandmepod.com for information on this podcast, Ben's comedy, and other projects.
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
It's now been over a year since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 (it was cold when we recorded, so we apparently had a focus), and so, so much more, on episode 171 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
Follow Touchstone Brewing @touchstonebrewingcompany on IG
Learn more about WEAVE's mission and Safe Night Out at weaveinc.org
Check out Barley & Me's new site barleyandmepod.com for past episodes, comedy shows, other related podcasts and so much more, or just follow us across social media @barleyandmepod for our latest and greatest.
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-daily on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for those affected by this shutdown. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
Do you have a story about racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia in the beer industry? You can submit your story anonymously, to be read on a future episode of Barley & Me at https://forms.gle/SmDuBT3zGKxNCVZ757
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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 out what offerings, in house and to go, KC Kombucha has by visiting kc-kombucha.com or on IG @kckombucha
Barley & Me can be found across social media @barleyandmepod. Check out the website, which includes the rest of his podcast production, comedy, and comedy show production, at barleyandmepod.com
Email questions/comments/concerns/guest ideas/brewery ideas to barleyandmepodcast@gmail.com or barleyandmepod@gmail.com
Ben is also posting #Chugs4Charity videos semi-regularly on Instagram (@barleyandmepod), to help raise funds for various local and national charities with goals of making our world a better place. You can Venmo Ben ($comedianbenrice) or hit his PayPal (@barleyandmepod) and all money will go to support the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights helpers. Charities will change with the times and as emergencies arise. But the point is: all donations will go to help those who need it.
It's now been almost two years since Brienne Allen's revelations about the beer industry's treatment of women and minorities. If you have stories about change (or lack thereof), please submit them (anonymously if you wish) and your story may be featured on a future episode. Simply go to https://forms.gle/2QNebCn7NHHjsEbg6
Intro Music: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)