Barcade Visits WFMU

WFMU's Beer Hear! with Bob W. and B.R. from 1/27/2012

I was asked to fill in for Thursday afternoon d.j. Diane, as she embarked on a "metal cruise", and it seemed like a good opportunity to have some beer-guests on and do a live Beer Hear! segment on WFMU! Beer Hear! co-host B.R. was on hand, too!

Fuzzy photography courtesy of Bob.

Since the guys from Barcade have been so supportive of WFMU, holding two WFMU Meet-Ups/fundraisers in the last six months, Barcade Jersey City is one PATH station away, and we were at one such fundraiser this past Monday, we decided to invite them on to talk about beer, music and to sample a little of each! [Note: this Bob's idea, not WFMU's idea -- and the Barcade guys neither asked for nor expected any "favors" for anything that they've done for the station. They're a cool, unique local business, making J.C. a more interesting, better place -- that's why they were invited on to the radio.]

Michael, fuzzy Bob effect.

Paul, one of the founders of the Barcade "franchise", and Michael, the key man at Barcade Jersey City, dropped by to share some local beers, talk about music, play some selections, and answer questions about their fairly unique bar. 

Paul

We started out trying to guess the identity of an unlabeled 24 oz. bottle from Dieu Du Ciel, which was given to us by the brewer a few weeks ago. It turned out to be the Peché Mortal 10th anniversary! 

Dieu Du Ciel's Peché Mortal 10e.

Next it was the Hoffmann Doppel Bock from Climax the the Jersey-boys brought, which we found to be a bit "off" -- it was kinda sour. But, honestly, I liked it! In the podcast you'll hear a story about another "off" beer that I had at a bar which turned out to be much better than the "not-off" version.

Climax Brewing's Hoffmann Doppel Bock.

Then a "rum barrel aged imperial sweet potato ale" brewed by Bob Olson of Bolero Snort, a new NJ brewery set to open soon.

Bolaro Snort in the foreground.

Then we gave Port Brewing's Santa's Little Helper a taste.

Santa's Little Helper.

Did you know that Paul-Barcade directed a Sam (Dogfish Head) Calagione's music video?

Why can't Bob take a clear photo?!

There was a lot of entertaining banter (and some not-that-interesting banter) on the podcast. But can you pinpoint the moment when Bob earned himself a six-month suspension from the radio station? The photo below lends a cue.

This is how you get suspended from a radio station for 6 months (provided that you're clumsy enough to spill your beer into the board). (Which I was.)

Live Beer Hear Today!

Today, Thurs. Jan. 26, 2012, B.R. and I will be live on WFMU from noon to 3pm, and sometime during that period (likely at around 1pm) Paul and Michael of Barcade will drop by for a chat! WFMU streams live at WFMU.org, and you can listen on your transistor at 91.1FM in the NYC area.

Barcade Gives Back To Local Community Radio

On Tuesday Oct. 11, 2011 Barcade Jersey City  was the site of a WFMU Meet-Up/impromptu fundraiser for the non-profit free form radio station, headquartered just one PATH station east, near Exchange Place.

Steve K., B.R. and Joe Belock (Cynthia hiding to the left).

The bar donated all tips generated from 4pm-9pm, and then added on another $250, bringing the fundraising take to $587. Not bad for something that was set up less than 7 days earlier. And the radio station ended up being introduced to a number of local bar patrons who were previously unfamiliar with 91.1FM / WFMU.org.

Free soap?! Honey, run the bath water!!!

Patrons were invited to help themselves to WFMU stickers, soap, bottle openers and other promotional items, and then offered to take the "Beer Trivia Challenge" -- answer one beer trivia question correctly for a swank Brooklyn Brewery ball cap, a Gritty McDuff's t-shirt or another "big ticket" prize! And if the answer was wrong, participants still had a chance to win by stumping the trivia master with their own beer trivia question!

In honor of WFMU, Sixpoint Brewery (who are big fans of the station) agreed to rename two of their beers for the occasion. Specialized tap handles were created for the 'WFM-brU" beer, an american pale ale, and the "FREEDOM IS FREE FOAM" (a rif on the station's FREE FORM format), which was a Belgian style wheat beer.

Don't be surprised if Barcade JC host another WFMU event in March, during the station's annual 2-week on-air fundraising marathon!

4th from the left: "Free Foam".

4th from the left: "WFM-brU"!

WFMU Beer Meet Up Tues. Oct. 11, 2011, 4pm-9pm At Barcade JC

The fine radio station that hosts our podcast -- independent, free form, non-profit WFMU -- is hosting a Meet-Up at Barcade, Jersey City this Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 from 4pm to 9pm! B.R. and I are your hosts!

We're going to give away some WFMU goodies and some craft brewery swag, and host a short beer trivia contest. If you want to participate in the contest, find the sign-in sheet when you arrive at the bar, or email Bob stating that you'd like to join in. bobw AT wfmu DOT org.


There's a Facebook page for the event, too, HERE.

Barcade Jersey City is very easy to get to from the PATH train. Just take it to the GROVE ST. station -- it's at 163 Newark Ave. at Barrow in Jersey City, NJ.

The bar manager, Michael, is a big fan and supporter of 'FMU, and he is donating all the tips generated during the Meet-Up to the radio station -- AND having the bar match the amount! It's all for WFMU's "Shock and Awetober", the stations very low-key, on-line-only fall fundraiser.

There's a link below which will bring you to the "donate" page for WFMU.The station is nearly 100% listener supported, and takes no corporate money, there are no "underwriting" messages (ie. ADS) -- basically, they don't take money from any entity which has strings attached. So, why not send $20 their way? I did!