In this special episode, host Ben Rice talks to absolutely no one! Oak Park Brewing in Sacramento had the good fortune of collaborating with the first Black-owned brewery in America, People's Brewing in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin! So OPB's head brewer Rodg interviews the son of the owner, Theo Mack, Jr. We'll hear about how Theo Mack, Sr., came into the beer business, his journeys in the military and through the Civil Rights Movement, and what People's Beer meant then and what it should mean now. It's a fascinating look at beer history, civil rights history, and how those are so intimately intertwined, and speaks to all the things America is going through right now. Thank you to Oak Park Brewing for doing this, making this beer, and letting me use this audio. Go hunt down this lager; it's one hell of a beer. Enjoy!

Follow Oak Park Brewing and get more information on this collaboration on Instagram @opbrewco

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 s 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.

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: “Functional Alcoholism” by Be Brave Bold Robot (@bebraveboldrobot)

Alternate Music: “JamRoc” by Breez (@breeztheartist)

Logo by Jessica DiMesio (@alchemistqueen)