This much they had agreed on - the folks at Malibu Family Wines loved beer and the folks at Ladyface Ale Companie loved wine. Ladyface even worked with Malibu’s vintners to create Ladyface Cuvée, served exclusively at the popular Agoura Hills brewpub. It was all friendly, cozy even, until someone suggested putting Ladyface beer in Malibu Family Wines’ barrels.
In fact, purported Ladyface, the barrel-aged beer would taste better than the wine. “Not so, beer geeks”, responded Malibu. “W(h)iners”, replied Ladyface. And thus began the first Battle of the Barrel.
Ladyface triumphed in that first battle, but Malibu Family Wines was determined to win the war. The local estate winery presented their 2009 Semler Merlot for the challenge. Deep garnet color, the nose has hints of cigar box andTahitian vanilla. Cherries and dark forest berries are on the palate, and the finish yields notes of fine Ecuadorian Cacao. “This Semler Merlot is complex and well-balanced,” states Derek Baugh of Malibu Family Wines. “It’s 100% Merlot, 100% Malibu and 100% a winner!”
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Ladyface responded by creating Beffroi, aging their Picture City Porter in those same Semler Merlot barrels. One of the brewery’s Ingenuity Series of barrel-aged inventions, Beffroi is named for a medieval siege tower and, according to Brewmaster David Griffiths, built to withstand the onslaught of wine afficiandos.
With neither side conceding, the final verdict is again being left up to retail consumers. From July 14th to July 24th, guests at both establishments will be able to purchase sample tasters of Malibu Family Wines’ Semler Estate Grown 2009 Merlot and Ladyface Ale Companie’s Merlot barrel-aged Beffroi and cast their votes.
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The winner will be announced at a Battle of the Barrel Finale will be held on Tuesday, July 24th from 5:00-7:00pm at Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie. You must be 21 or over to cast a ballot. There’ll be music, voting and, no doubt, a lot of last-minute campaigning by both sides. Reserve now; ONLY 150 tickets available for the party!
Samples of both the wine and beer as well as ballots will be available July 14-24th during normal business hours at both locations. A Ladyface Ale Companie rep will be at the Malibu Family Wines tasting room both weekends prior to the event located at 31727 Mulholland Highway, Malibu CA (818) 889-0120