Barley & Me

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 barleyandmepod@gmail.com
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