Barley & Me host  Ben Rice is using this COVID-19 shutdown to give brewers time to re-focus their businesses to handle this new reality. So, he's reached out to some of his friends to experiment with beer-ish content! Hoops & Hops, with co-host Phil Webster (@culinarylando on IG), pairs the aggressive defense and death-defying dunks of 80s and 90s NBA basketball with aggressively-hopped IPAs. Today, we discuss Michael Jordan and ESPN's "The Last Dance" over an Urban Roots All Together IPA, a worldwide collaboration started by Other Half NYC to support service industry workers. We also discuss our adolescent NBA fandom, why power forwards are the porters of the NBA, compare Hall of Fame players to beers, and design our very own Sacramento County brewery Dream Team, including what position each brewery plays and why. It's a ton of fun and I hope you enjoy it, because Phil and Ben sure did. Hit us with your region's brewery Dream Team and let us know who you want to have compared to beers for future Hoops & Hops episodes! Cheers!

Check out Phil Webster’s quarantine meals for amateurs by following him on Instagram @culinarylando! Use the hashtag #photosforphil if you want to show him what you’re whipping up in the kitchen.

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 [email protected] or [email protected]

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 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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Blinker The Star (www.blinkerthestar.com / @blinkerthestar) and their latest album, “Careful With Your Magic,” available on vinyl, CD, and digital download at blinkerthestar.bandcamp.com – find out more about the band by checking out episode 127 of Barley & Me

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: “JamRoc” by Breez (@breeztheartist)

Alternate Intro Music (not featured in this episode): “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)

Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)

Speaking of music, bandcamp.com is currently giving 100% of money paid for music directly to the artist, so buy a Breez or Be Bold Brave Robot EP or LP and support your local artists.

Cheers!