LA in April with beer

For those in LA who read this. Yes, I am in LA and I didn't call you. I have a pregnant wife, a dog, and family to visit. I will have to see you next time. For everybody else, I have some great beer notes.
Tonight I was treated to a relatively new brew pub in Agoura. Ladyface Alehouse and Brasserie is just off 101 at Kanan road. It is a smaller place specializing in Belgian food and beer. They had several of their own beers on tap and some interesting guest beers also.

• Ladyface LA Blanche is a Begian Wit 4.3 %. Nice crisp ale. Esters of the yeast are very present and there is no doubt this is a Belgian ale. The spice is understated and it is very crisp.

• La Blonde 5.3% The yeast is again very noticeable. Despite the light malt sweetness this beer is very dry. Very easy drinking.

• Ladyface IPA 5.9% Nice hop aroma. Huge hop flavor. I was not expecting the giant hop citrus flavor. It was actually well balanced with the malt. For this kind of flavor it usually takes the malt of a Double IPA. Great beer.

• Picture City Porter 5.8% Sweet Malt Aroma followed by a robust coffee and chocolate flavor. It is soft and creamy and very balanced.

• Trois Filles Tripel 8.3% Excellent Tripel. Spicy and fruity but balanced with soft malt character. This is their best beer.

• Chesebro Double IPA 9% Very good IPA. Big hop aroma followed by balanced malt sweetness with citrus hop flavor. Just sweet enough to support big hop flavor.

Overall the beers were very good and the food was well matched. The pommes frites are a must try. If you are in the LA area you should definitely stop in.
While I was there I had the chance to try Sierra Nevada's latest release Fritz & Ken's stout. It is quite good with a smooth chocolate malt flavor and notes of coffee. It will age well and is available for a limited time in bottles. Pick some up now and have it next year.
And of course while here picked up what I found at the local market.

• Brewdog Hardcore IPA 9% This beer comes from Scotland and they call this an explicit imperial ale. It has a smooth, sweet base from the Maris Otter malt. Great hop aroma followed by smooth bitter flavor with a crisp, dry finish. Very good imperial ale. (And I just read that in the World Beer Cup 2010 this beer took gold in the Imperial IPA category)

• Alesmith IPA 7.25 Pale golden Color with thick white head. Nice aroma but a little too astringent in the middle for my taste. It is easy drinking with a clean finish but I prefer more body.

• Avery IPA-Double 8.5 duganA IPA Nice hop aroma followed by piney, resinous bitterness balanced with malt backbone. Thick and sweet to hold up to the heavy hopping. Not astringent at all. Clean and dry.