Barbeque and Beer to start your July. What more could you need?
The third annual Napa Valley BBQ and Beer Battle will take place on Sunday, July 1st, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa at 3425 Solano Avenue in Napa. Guests attending the Battle will be spoiled with amazing BBQ, craft beer from ten area breweries and live music. Tickets are only $45 in advance, and can be purchased by going here.
For 2012, the Battle will feature a BBQ throwdown between two highly regarded barbeque enthusiasts: Two time defending Champion Pat Burke of Judd’s Hill Winery in Napa and Challenger Stephen Barber of Farmstead Restaurant in St. Helena. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Napa Valley Education Foundation’s Music Connection Program.
Napa Valley BBQ Batttle
The Barbecue Competition? Pat Burke vs. Stephen Barber.
Pat Burke has taken home the prize twice before and is the defending Champion of this event. He is the Hospitality Director at Judd’s Hill Winery and a recognized award winning barbeque competitor, a member of the famous “Barnyard Roasters” BBQ Team, and team captain of “The Vineyard Roasters”, who took 1st Prize in the Rib category at the 2006 West Coast BBQ Championships.
Chef Stephen Barber, the Challenger, is currently the Executive Chef at Farmstead restaurant and previously opened BarbersQ in Napa in 2007, which received three stars from the San Francisco Chronicle, was featured on the “Top 100 Restaurants” list by Michael Bauer of the San Francisco Chronicle, and was named a Michelin Guide “Bib Gourmand.” Stephen has also been the chef at Fish Story restaurant in Napa and MECCA in San Francisco where he also received three stars from the San Francisco Chronicle and was named a 2004 “Rising Star Chef.”
The host and emcee of the Napa Valley BBQ and Beer Battle is Brian Whitmer, Executive Chef of VINeleven Restaurant & Bar located at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. Brian has an impressive culinary background that started in Kansas City and found him developing his trademark skills and techniques in a wide variety of kitchens, from New York City to Carmel, CA. He is also one of the founders of this event.
Napa Valley Beer Batttle
This year, a craft beer component has been added to the event. Ten breweries will face off to see which beer pairs best with the BBQ offerings from Pat and Stephen. Guests will vote for their favorites and BBQ and Beer Battle medals will be presented to the top three competitors.
Competing brewers include: 21st Amendment Brewery, Bison Brewing, Uncommon Brewers, Ale Industries, Black Star Beer, Drakes Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Iron Springs Pub & Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, and Napa Smith Brewery.
In case you’re not a beer person, Judd’s Hill (a partner since year one of the competition) will be the featured winery at the BBQ and Beer Battle, offering tastes of their delicious wines. Judd’s Hill recently released their fourth vintage of an old-vine Zinfandel, “Burkes Blazing Barbecue Old Vine Zinfandel,” a wine they created to commemorate Pat’s achievements in the Barbecuing arts and sciences.
The Napa Valley BBQ and Beer Battle features a Silent Auction with packages featuring hotel stays, spa indulgences, Napa Valley adventure packages, fabulous meals, wine lots, and winery tours and tastings. In addition, Battle guests can participate in a live auction to bid on an opportunity for a private party for 12 with the BBQ chefs and host personally preparing a BBQ meal beautifully paired with Judd’s Hill wines.
Tickets are available in advance for $45 per person, and the ticket price includes plenty of BBQ, a taste of each craft beer, and then two glasses of the beer of your choice or wine from Judd’s Hill. At the door, tickets will cost $55 so you should click here to buy your tickets in advance. Admission is free for children 6 and under.
The Napa Valley BBQ and Beer Battle benefits the Napa Valley Education Foundation’s Music Connection Program, which has been supporting students of the Napa Valley Unified School District with musical instruments and opportunities for over a decade.