STEP ASIDE, BEARDED brewers. There’s a new guard within L.A.’s craft-beer scene, thanks to a growing number of dedicated, beer-loving ladies on both the business and brewing side. From the city's first female brewmaster to the founder of the largest local brewery, these five women are bringing some of your favorite local beers to life.


Alexandra Nowell à THREE WEAVERS BREWING COMPANY


It's pretty incredible to think that until 2014, Los Angeles had never been home to a female brewmaster. That all changed with Alexandra Nowell, who helped open Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood (owned by Lynne Weaver, another powerhouse in the beer industry). Nowell studied brewing science as an undergrad in Miami at a time when, she says, “the beer situation was pretty dismal.” She worked at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Drake’s Brewing Company and Kinetic Brewing Company before landing at Three Weavers, and she is currently the Pink Boots Society L.A. Chapter President, encouraging women to flourish in the beer industry. “It’s been incredibly cool to get involved in the young and vibrant brewing community of Los Angeles,” says Nowell. “The Pink Boots Society really opens up a lot of doors. No one is going to place you on a pedestal, so you have to forge the path on your own. Fortunately, a lot of women have helped pave the way to make things a little easier.” Nowell doesn’t let her status as L.A.’s first lady brewmaster define her, though. “I’ve stopped placing any sort of emphasis on my position and my gender. I’m more concerned about making great beer and constantly improving my skills as a brewer.”


NOWELL RECOMMENDS: Three Weavers Brewing’s Blood Junkie Imperial Red ale, an award-winning collaboration with Prosthetic Records coming out October 15. à Three Weavers Brewing Company, 1031 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood (310-400-5830, threeweavers.la)


ß Jennifer Treu MONKISH BREWING CO.


Jennifer Treu was a Monkish Brewing Co. fan before she was its assistant brewer. The Long Beach resident frequented the Torrance brewery with her boyfriend on a regular basis, hanging out in the tasting room and chatting with owners Henry and Adriana Nguyen whenever she could. Henry offered her a job pouring, then an apprenticeship as an assistant brewer, prompting Treu to quit her job in accounting and switch careers. “I got pretty lucky with Henry,” says Treu. “It was just me and him brewing at the beginning, and


he always treated me as an equal. I didn’t get special treatment as a woman; he holds me to the same standards as he holds men. That’s something that I really responded to.” When it comes to starting a career in beer, Treu believes Monkish is a great place for women. “We focus on Belgian styles, which are a little bit more approachable to women,” explains Treu. “A lot of men come in and stick their noses up at Belgians, but if I can get them to enjoy a glass of one of the beers we make, that’s something that I really enjoy doing.” At the end of the


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day, Treu views her career change as an exceedingly positive one—and she doesn’t focus on being the only female brewer in the building. “I enjoy being a woman in the beer industry, but I don’t want that to be a factor. I just want to be looked at as someone who’s working hard and making good beer.”


TREU RECOMMENDS: Monkish Brewing’s Magnificat, a seasonal Belgian ale released in December. à Monkish Brewing Co., 20311 S Western Ave, Torrance (310-295-2157, monkishbrewing.com)


October–December 2016 Time Out Los Angeles


Women in Beer


“No one is going to place you on a pedestal, so you have to forge the path on your own.”


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