Barley & Me

Barley & Me

By Ben RiceTV & FilmSociety & CultureArtsTV ReviewsFood
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Barley & Me episodes

  • Episode 51: Dan Watson of Cleophus Quealy & Comedian Chad Opitz
    Host Ben Rice travels to San Leandro to speak with Cleophus Quealy's owner/brewer Dan Watson, along with Bay Area comedian Chad Opitz. The man with the best beer joke in the biz talks about getting his start in high school drama, moving into the thrilling world of odd-ball music in Seattle, then taking up stand-up in the weirdo town of Santa Cruz, while Dan talks about his early love of European beers that led him to start up a small brewery in California, with a concentration on flavors pulled from fruits and yeasts, nearly bypassing the hop craze. We dive into conversations about misspelled names, misread names, and how every brewery name is stupid. Plus beers, beards, more beers, and more beards! on another riveting episode of Barley & Me! Enjoy!
    Follow Barley & Me at @barleyandmepod
    Follow Chad Opitz at @chadopitz
    Follow Cleophus Quealy at @cleophus_quealy
    Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    Logo: Jessica DiMesio (@alivingclicheart)
    This episode is brought to you by Lyft. Try Lyft now and enter the promo code BarleyAndMe for $5 off your first ride.
    This episode is also brought to you by the California Craft Beer Summit, taking place in Sacramento September 7-9, with the California Craft Beer Festival capping it off September 9. Get your tickets today at www.californiacraftbeer.com
    1 hr 37 min
  • Episode 50: Rodger Davis of Faction Brewing & Comedian DJ Sandhu
    Host Ben Rice travels to Alameda, CA, to sip on suds and take in the gorgeous scenery of Faction Brewing, along with their owner/head brewer Rodger Davis and special guest, comedian DJ Sandhu. We talk about the trials of surviving in the Bay Area given the tech boom, start-up brewery costs, the band Tool, how The Grateful Dead got Rodger into brewing, and Ales for ALS, which is taking place at Faction Brewing on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
    This episode was also filmed and is available to view on YouTube at https://youtu.be/t8DIAsL0vog
    Thank you to Rodger and DJ for taking part and to Brandon Morgan (of Shitty Food Blog) for filming. Thanks as always to Breez for the intro music. The track is called "JamRoc." Artwork is by Jessica DiMesio. And thank YOU for listening.
    Follow Barley & Me on social media @barleyandmepod
    Follow host Ben Rice on Twitter @comedianbenrice
    Follow Faction Brewing online @factionbrewing
    Follow DJ Sandhu @djsandhu20
    This episode is brought to you by Lyft - get $5 off your first ride using promo code BarleyAndMe - and by the California Craft Beer Summit, taking place September 7-9. Get more info and buy tickets at californiacraftbeer.com.
    39 min
  • Episode 49: Nu Boonkham, Scott Williams & Corey Meyer of Moksa Brewing and Rebecca Steele-Wilkie of Cuvee Marketing
    On this episode of Barley & Me, host Ben Rice visits upcoming Rocklin, CA, brewery Moksa Brewing and speaks with owners Nu Boonkham and Scott Williams, as well as head brewer Corey Meyer (previously of New Glory Brewing) and also with special guest Rebecca Steele-Wilkie, owner of Cuvee Marketing and creator of the Instagram account Art of the Jockey Box, to talk about the expectations for Moksa, the surprising difficulties in opening a brewery at a location where another brewery used to exist, barrel aging, and marketing. We look forward to seeing what Moksa has in store when they open later in 2017. Be sure to check out Art of the Jockey Box on Instagram and visit www.cuveemarketing.com for all your beer and wine marketing needs.
    Follow Barley & Me on social media @barleyandmepod
    Follow host Ben Rice on Twitter @comedianbenrice
    Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@livingclicheart)
    This episode is brought to you by Lyft. Download the Lyft app and get $5 off your first ride by using promo code BarleyAndMe
    This episode is also brought to you by the California Craft Beer Summit, taking place at the Sacramento Convention Center September 7th and 8th, with the Summit Beer Festival taking place September 9th. Get your tickets now at californiacraftbeer.com.
    1 hr 9 min
  • Episode 48: Jim & Simon of Ol' Republic Brewing (Nevada City, CA) and Beer Judge "Big Mike" Moore
    Host Ben Rice travels to Nevada City with guest and renowned beer judge "Big Mike" Moore to talk shop with Jim & Simon of Ol' Republic Brewing. Ol' Republic specializes in European style ales and lagers. We talk about their early years, as they grew their brand in a world dominated by hop-heavy beer. Plus they let us know how they came up with the name for their award-winning Dortmunder Export Lager, "Dead Canary." Jim & Simon regale us for over an hour with successes both anticipated and unforeseen as they attempt to get a foothold into the California beer scene while brewing beers that are not typically made by smaller breweries. Ever wondered how beer prices are determined or what challenges beer judges face? You'll find out! Plus they'll drop a surprise announcement at the end, something that I am very excited about. Enjoy!
    Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @barleyandmepod
    Follow Ol' Republic on Facebook & Instagram @olrepublicbrewery and on Twitter @olrepublicbrew
    Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    Logo by Jessica DiMesio (Instagram: @livingclicheart)
    Also, congratulations to "BarLeddy & Me" co-host Kyle Leddy on becoming the new head brewer at New Glory Brewing.
    And don't forget to sign up for Lyft and get $5 off your first ride by using promo code "BarleyAndMe"
    Thanks for listening!
    1 hr 37 min
  • Episode 48: Jim & Simon of Ol’ Republic Brewing (Nevada City, CA) and Beer Judge “Big Mike” Moore

    Host Ben Rice travels to Nevada City with guest and renowned beer judge "Big Mike" Moore to talk shop with Jim & Simon of Ol' Republic Brewing. Ol' Republic specializes in European style ales and lagers. We talk about their early years, as they grew their brand in a world dominated by hop-heavy beer. Plus they let us know how they came up with the name for their award-winning Dortmunder Export Lager, "Dead Canary." Jim & Simon regale us for over an hour with successes both anticipated and unforeseen as they attempt to get a foothold into the California beer scene while brewing beers that are not typically made by smaller breweries. Ever wondered how beer prices are determined or what challenges beer judges face? You'll find out! Plus they'll drop a surprise announcement at the end, something that I am very excited about. Enjoy!


    Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @barleyandmepod


    Follow Ol' Republic on Facebook & Instagram @olrepublicbrewery and on Twitter @olrepublicbrew


    Intro music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)


    Logo by Jessica DiMesio (Instagram: @livingclicheart)


    Also, congratulations to "BarLeddy & Me" co-host Kyle Leddy on becoming the new head brewer at New Glory Brewing.


    And don't forget to sign up for Lyft and get $5 off your first ride by using promo code "BarleyAndMe"


    Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 37 min
  • Episode 47: A Little Sumpin Sumpin to Talk About (w/ Andy Armstrong of American River Brewing, Kyle Leddy of Moonraker Brewing, and Chris Gu
    On episode 47, host Ben Rice visits an undisclosed location to talk about the state of the beer union. With him are Andy Armstrong of American River Brewing, his wife Lea, Kyle Leddy of Moonraker Brewing, his wife Claire, his daughter Olive, and Sacramento Beer Group founder Chris Guthrie. We talk about the Lagunitas and Wicked Weed buyouts, AB InBev's purchase of the entirety of the South African hop crop, and the future of the beleaguered 12 Rounds Brewing in Sacramento. PLUS Ben sings some metal, Kyle puts on a snazzy child's jacket, Chris does his best Olive impersonations, muchos chugs, and more!
    Follow Barley & Me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @barleyandmepod
    Follow American River Brewing on Facebook and Instagram @americanriverbrewing
    Follow Moonraker Brewing on Facebook and Instagram @moonrakerbrewing
    Artwork by Jessica DiMesio
    Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    ALSO you can now get $5 off your first Lyft ride by using the promo code "BarleyAndMe". Each new account using this code helps to pay for Lyft rides to and from locations, as we try to expand to other areas. Thanks so much for listening!
    1 hr 23 min
  • Episode 46: Tom Fuquay of Fort Rock Brewing & Joyce Tayag of Tommy T's Comedy Club
    Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to visit its newest brewery, Fort Rock Brewing, to chat with owner/head brewer Tom Fuquay and special guest Joyce Tayag of Tommy T's Comedy Club (located in the same building, what a tie in!). We'll discuss the trials and tribulations of an upstart brewery with no commercial brewing experience, plus the resurrection of Tommy T's. Listen up as we talk beer history, as well as what beer really is, when you break it down in scientific terms (the answer...may surprise you). And for any listeners out there who have not yet dabbled in homebrewing or have tried unsuccessfully, Tom gives his tips and tricks to better homebrewing. And of course, Ben can't help but try to get Joyce to convince Tommy T's ownership to start carrying some Fort Rock brews. All this and more, on episode 46 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!
    Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepod
    Email us at [email protected]
    Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    Logo by Jessica DiMesio
    1 hr 47 min
  • Episode 46: Tom Fuquay of Fort Rock Brewing & Joyce Tayag of Tommy T’s Comedy Club

    Host Ben Rice travels to Rancho Cordova, CA, to visit its newest brewery, Fort Rock Brewing, to chat with owner/head brewer Tom Fuquay and special guest Joyce Tayag of Tommy T's Comedy Club (located in the same building, what a tie in!). We'll discuss the trials and tribulations of an upstart brewery with no commercial brewing experience, plus the resurrection of Tommy T's. Listen up as we talk beer history, as well as what beer really is, when you break it down in scientific terms (the answer...may surprise you). And for any listeners out there who have not yet dabbled in homebrewing or have tried unsuccessfully, Tom gives his tips and tricks to better homebrewing. And of course, Ben can't help but try to get Joyce to convince Tommy T's ownership to start carrying some Fort Rock brews. All this and more, on episode 46 of Barley & Me. Enjoy!


    Follow Barley & Me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @barleyandmepod


    Email us at [email protected]


    Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)


    Logo by Jessica DiMesio

    1 hr 47 min
  • Episode 45: John Gillooly of Drake's Brewing & Comedian Jason Cole
    We're back! Episode 45 finds host Ben Rice at Drake's Brewing in San Leandro, chatting with comedian Jason Cole and head brewer John Gillooly. This episode is a dream, as we spin off on frenzied tangents for nearly two hours, imparting opinions, stories, history lessons, and a metric ton of brewing facts and tips. Plus we talk about Drake's recent expansion into Oakland and their upcoming expansion into Sacramento. To quote a review of Drake's food selections, "it's better than it needs to be." So grab a Jolly Rodger and relish in the tales spun, from copyright and trademarking shenanigans, including some rad Star Trek cease and desist letters; to malt liquor history and tips n tricks; to Jimmy Carter. Hell, there's even some fine and dandy Star Wars talk for those who listen to the very end. It's one hell of a good time. Enjoy!
    Follow Drake's on all social media at @drakesbeer
    Follow Jason Cole on Twitter at @thatsnotgravy
    Follow Barley & Me on all social media at @barleyandmepod
    Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)
    Logo by Jessica DiMesio
    1 hr 53 min
  • Episode 45: John Gillooly of Drake’s Brewing & Comedian Jason Cole

    We're back! Episode 45 finds host Ben Rice at Drake's Brewing in San Leandro, chatting with comedian Jason Cole and head brewer John Gillooly. This episode is a dream, as we spin off on frenzied tangents for nearly two hours, imparting opinions, stories, history lessons, and a metric ton of brewing facts and tips. Plus we talk about Drake's recent expansion into Oakland and their upcoming expansion into Sacramento. To quote a review of Drake's food selections, "it's better than it needs to be." So grab a Jolly Rodger and relish in the tales spun, from copyright and trademarking shenanigans, including some rad Star Trek cease and desist letters; to malt liquor history and tips n tricks; to Jimmy Carter. Hell, there's even some fine and dandy Star Wars talk for those who listen to the very end. It's one hell of a good time. Enjoy!


    Follow Drake's on all social media at @drakesbeer


    Follow Jason Cole on Twitter at @thatsnotgravy


    Follow Barley & Me on all social media at @barleyandmepod


    Intro Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@mr4proaudio)


    Logo by Jessica DiMesio

    1 hr 53 min

About Barley & Me

From the publisher's feed

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.