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.comFind out more about Runnin' for Rhett at runninforrhett.orgBarley & Me/This Is Why I Drink... with Ben Rice can be found across social media @barleyandmepodCheck out past episodes, show dates, and more at barleyandmepod.comEmail questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, brewery ideas, etc., to [email protected] 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 RiceThanks 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 @scubastevefureyFor 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 RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo 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: @icanfightcancerbrewfestSteve Hayer can be found on IG @sacbeerFor 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 RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo 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 @garinflowersLearn 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.comLogo by Jaclyn WeiandIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold RobotInterstitial 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 RiceYou can find Liv Monahan on IG @thelivstylerCheck 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.comJoin 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=101791735312940481630Theme Song: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo 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_r0i8You can find out so much more about Nick Rado and his comedy, radio, and podcast adventures on IG @nickradocomedyYou 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.comIntro 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.comIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo by Jaclyn Weiand

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 means of production over a pint of Beautiful Blues at Nitty's Cider in Sacramento.WARNING: We are also there on cornhole night, so expect a lot of bang for your buck with this very much free episode.ALSO: There will be many references to the video of this episode, but one of the files got corrupted so...no. But we have a YouTube for this, I swear!Karens are gonna Karen, so Madame Lewis drives hard through conversations about the history of electronics, weird thumbs, pooping so hard you pass out, being raised by lesbians, stealing friends, and all the many, many reasons she drinks...cider and other gluten-free beverages due to Celiac's disease. Somehow, she undersells herself throughout the episode.Be sure to learn more about Karen at her website think4it.com or across social media @think4itNitty's Cider (now with beer!) can be found at nittyscider.com or @nittyscider. Thanks to Nick and his crew for having us!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.comIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo by Jaclyn Weiand

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, there are so many reasons and ways to pair well vodka with cranberry juice in a desperate attempt to keep costs low and your joie de vivre high!Some might call it the bottom shelf, some might call it cost-effective drunkenness, and for others like Jesse, it's just because the flavor isn't why we're here. Walk down Jesse's long road of life, taking him from the burgeoning Sacramento sketch and improv scene to the fast-paced, high-flying, Chicago-influenced sketch and improv scene of Los Angeles in the early aughts, and back to Sacramento, where he has spread his wings to develop one of the internet's most inexplicable comedy game show/podcast/writing competitions, the long-running STAB!, which existed before its titular comedy club STAB! Comedy Theater. Bask in Jesse's well-crafted improv character stylings and scene chewing recurring characters and act outs, his self-published book, his glancing mention in the New York Times.Are host Ben Rice and guest Jesse Jones perhaps the same person, splintered at some unknown and unknowable crossroads, forever indebted to lifting those around them no matter the cost? Or are we both just bottom shelf vodka crans, more sugar than juice, more hydrating than intoxicating? So many questions, so many answers, to be found here, on the latest episode of This Is Why I Drink...with Ben Rice. And if your questions remain unanswered, consider joining (from a vast distance) Jesse Jones on his yearly voyage to the desert for Burning Man, in search of those remains.STAB! Comedy Theater can be found physically at 1710 Broadway, Sacramento, CA, on YouTube, Twitch, or elsewhere @stabcomedy or stabcomedytheater.comJesse Jones is...around, and also at those same places, nearly every hour of every day!Thank you again to Benny's/Q Street Bar & Grill for allowing us to record - they can be found at 2013 Q Street in Sacramento or on IG @bennysofficialqstreetYou can find out more about host Ben Rice, Barley & Me, This Is Why I Drink..., and his comedy (shows) @barleyandmepod or at www.barleyandmepod.comIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold RobotInterstitial Music: "JamRoc" by BreezLogo by Ben Rice and Jaclyn Weiand

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 beverage. Today, we're talking to comedian Kalea McNeill over a cup of STASH Refreshing Peppermint tea.Find out why Kalea drinks it, as we also discuss her time in the ROTC, acting, theme parks, lifetime bans, bad jobs, harassment, a dash of 9/11, and, oh yeah, comedy. Including the fact that she is headlining Ben's new show The Bomb Shelter on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 9pm at The Silver Lining in Sacramento. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com or at the door.Learn more about Kalea McNeill at www.kaleamcneill.com or on socials  @WhateverKalea Follow Ben Rice, Barley & Me, and This Is Why I Drink... @barleyandmepod or find shows, other podcasts, and more at www.barleyandmepod.comIntro Music: "Functional Alcoholism" by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)Interstitial Music: "JamRoc" by Breez (@breeztheartist)Logo by Ben Rice