Barley & Me

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 Grounds in Roseville, CA on Saturday, October 17, 2026! New venue, new vendors, new experiences! With free parking and a band working pro bono all event long! All to help support cancer research, cancer patients, and cancer survivors via Albie Aware! Visit albieaware.org for more info and albieaware.org/Brewfest26 for tickets!
Follow Steve Hayer on IG @sacbeer
See above for info on supporting Albie Aware or grabbing tickets to the brewfest
Barley & Me/This Is Why I Drink... can be found across social media @barleyandmepod
Check out past episodes, show dates, and more at barleyandmepod.com
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, and more to [email protected]
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (currently celebrating their 20th anniversary!) @bebraveboldrobot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand (@jaclynweiand)

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 food scene and its effects on local beer, as well as the importance of community and how the beer scene has changed over the years are Nick Vellanoweth of Nitty's Cider, Rodg Little of Oak Park Brewing, and Dave Gull of New Helvetia Brewing. Enjoy!
Thank you to Eben Burgoon and the Crocker Art Museum for inviting me to host this event. Check out what they're doing at crockerart.org or @crockerart
Follow the breweries @nittyscider @opbrewco @newhelvetiabrew
Barley & Me can be followed across social media @barleyandmepod
Check out past episodes, show dates, and more at barleyandmepod.com
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas to [email protected]
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez @breeztheartist)
Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

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, his comedy, and how he comports himself in society. Plus we talk about his other obsession, running shows at comedy clubs, getting into comedy in your 40s, and finding your way forward. We also discuss our upcoming show together, Like a Virgo, an all-Virgo comedian showcase at Punch Line Sacramento's Callback Bar Thursday, September 17th.
Follow Jesse Rivera on Instagram @j.r.2ill
Barley & Me / This Is Why I Drink... can be found across social media @barleyandmepod
Check out past episodes, show dates, and more at barleyandmepod.com
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, and more to [email protected]
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (CURRENTLY CELEBRATING THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!) @bebraveboldrobot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand @jaclynweiand

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 discusses Runnin' for Rhett's mission, how the beerfest is its main yearly fundraiser, and how to stay active for life, plus her history in the beer industry and how breweries have become community gathering centers and vacation safe havens.
We will also be giving away 2 VIP tickets to Capitol Beerfest! Just tag @capitolbeerfest, @barleyandmepod, a brewery you're looking forward to sipping on, and a person you love drinking beers with, to enter.
Tickets are available at capitolbeerfest.com
Find out more about Runnin' for Rhett at runninforrhett.org
Barley & Me/This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice can be found across social media @barleyandmepod
Check out past episodes, show dates, and more at barleyandmepod.com
Email questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, etc., to [email protected]
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand (@jaclynweiand)

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 Rice
Thanks 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 him on IG @scubastevefurey
For Ben Rice, Barley & Me Pod-uctions, and This Is Why I Drink..., follow @barleyandmepod across social media or visit www.barleyandmepod.com for more info.
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand

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 CANCER BREWFEST: https://albieaware.org/events/i-can-fight-cancer-brewfest-benefiting-albie-aware/
Find out more on FB & IG: @icanfightcancerbrewfest
Steve Hayer can be found on IG @sacbeer
For Ben Rice, Barley & Me Pod-uctions, and This Is Why I Drink..., follow @barleyandmepod across social media or visit www.barleyandmepod.com for more info.
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand

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 @garinflowers
Learn 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.com
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez

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 Rice
You can find Liv Monahan on IG @thelivstyler
Check 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.com
Join 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-H22fZtBOJ9JnAe0/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=101791735312940481630
Theme Song: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand

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_r0i8
You can find out so much more about Nick Rado and his comedy, radio, and podcast adventures on IG @nickradocomedy
You can learn more about this podcast, This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice, the original podcast Barley & Me, Ben Rice, and Ben Rice's comedy and comedy shows on IG @barleyandmepod or at www.barleyandmepod.com
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand

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 the pod - be sure to follow his bands Chemical State (@chemicalstate916) and Dreamdebt (on YouTube only! @dreamdebt) and listen to the extensive back catalogue of The Friendship Podcast (@thefriendshippodcast)
You can find out more about host Ben Rice, Barley & Me, This Is Why I Drink..., and his comedy (shows) @barleyandmepod or at www.barleyandmepod.com
Intro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot
Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez
Logo by Jaclyn Weiand