Ladies Night at Ladyface

On Monday evening, as the heat broke and a cool breeze blew across Agoura Hills, a dozen or so ladies gathered on the patio at with one thing on their minds: beer.

The women, who travelled from as far as Sherman Oaks to the east and Moorpark to the west, were gathered for The Ladyface Women's Fermentables & Comestibles Education & Tippling Society, a women-only social club centered around beer tastings and food pairings. The monthly event, open to beer beginners and enthusiasts alike, is hosted by Ladyface proprietor .

The August meeting, usually held on the third Monday of the month, was postponed a week so the alehouse could serve a seasonal pale ale–the Palo Comado XPA–Ladyface’s first all-organic beer on the day of its release.

At the meetings, the women not only talk about beer but bring a brew to share amongst themselves. And one thing is for sure–these women are serious about beer and know what they are talking about, using terms like hoppy, malty, bitter, and crisp to describe the beer they’ve brought to share.

About half of the women attending Monday night’s meeting were original members and the other half were comprised of semi-regulars and newbies. Each monthly meeting has a theme, chosen by Nouzille and the other members. This month’s theme was summer beers.

“In the first half hour, Cyrena will give us a lesson about the type of beers on which we are focusing. There is a lot of learning," Lee Cribben, one of the founding members, announced to the group. "After that, we kick back and share our beers, eat some great food and really have a good time.”

Nouzille’s discussion focused on the main difference between lagers and ales. She explained that it was the strains of the yeast that created the difference.

“Lagers ferment at a much lower temperature, which gives them their crisp apple tartness, while ales ferment at a warmer temperature giving them more of a fruity flavor,” Nouzille explained.

Many home brewers were in attendance at the meeting, including beer blogger Becki Kregoski of Newbury Park, who is and original club member along with her mother Amy and her friend Janelle Cross.

“I come to Ladyface all the time," said Kregoski. "They have great beer and great food. My mom and I are original members of the social club here. It’s a great way to spend time together.”

J.J. Nelson is a home-brewer and Maltose Falcon member (one of the oldest home brewing clubs in the United States). “This is such a nice bonding experience with other women. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Monday night,” she said.

First-timer Emily Goodwin of Sherman Oaks was invited to attend by Nelson. “I really love beer and most of my girlfriends don’t like it so I was excited when J.J. invited me," she said. "Usually I’m just lazy and will grab some Red Stripe, but I’m having such a great time with these women who have a true passion for beer like I do.”

The next The Ladyface Women's Fermentables & Comestibles Education & Tippling Society will be held Monday, September 19 at 6 p.m. September’s theme will be Oktoberfest beers. Reservations are suggested.