Faction Brewing

Faction Brewing is an American craft brewery based in Alameda, California, founded by Rodger Davis and Claudia Pamparana and opened in September 2013. The brewery operates a 20-barrel brewhouse and produces a wide range of beers, including lagers, stouts, Belgian-style beers, barrel-aged beers, and the occasional sour. Its self-described specialty and passion, however, lies in hoppy beers: the team focuses on pale ales and IPAs that highlight the full expression of the hops while keeping bitterness low and drinkability high. The brand's motto, "We are bitter. Our beer is not," captures this approach. The name "Faction" is explained by the brewery as "a group within a larger group, especially one with slightly different ideas from the main group." That independent-minded positioning is reinforced by the founders' stated desire to stay true to themselves and brew the beers they want to make and like to drink, rather than following what everyone else is doing. Faction's identity is also strongly visual: much of its beer artwork is created by artist Nick Fullmer, and the walls of its Alameda warehouse host murals by Madeleine Tonzi, Lauren Asta, Kurt Caudle, and Ryan David LaBonte. Rodger Davis, the owner and head brewer, has been part of the West Coast craft beer scene for more than 20 years. A Southern California native, he earned a certificate in Brewing Science from the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy in Chicago, and before opening Faction he served as head brewer at Drake's Brewing in San Leandro and Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley. The brewery is located at 2501 Monarch Street in Alameda, on the former naval air station area of the island, and its taproom has become a destination for Bay Area beer drinkers. Faction remains an independent, privately held brewery.

Faction Brewing was opened in September 2013 by Rodger Davis and Claudia Pamparana in Alameda, California. The brewery was established on Monarch Street in Alameda, in a warehouse setting that also serves as a canvas for large-scale murals. From the outset, Faction positioned itself as an independent-minded craft brewery, taking its name from the idea of a faction — a group within a larger group with slightly different ideas from the main group. Rodger Davis brought substantial West Coast craft beer experience to the venture. A Southern California native, he had been part of the West Coast craft beer scene for over 20 years by the time Faction opened. He received his certificate in Brewing Science from the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy in Chicago. Before founding Faction, Davis served as head brewer at Drake's Brewing in San Leandro and at Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley. This background informed Faction's brewing philosophy, which emphasizes making the beers the founders themselves want to make and like to drink rather than following prevailing trends. The brewery operates a 20-barrel brewhouse and produces a broad portfolio that includes lagers, stouts, Belgian-style beers, barrel-aged beers, and the occasional sour. Despite this range, Faction's stated specialty and passion is hoppy beer. The brewery focuses on pale ales and IPAs designed to highlight the full expression of the hops while retaining low bitterness and excellent drinkability, a philosophy summed up in the motto "We are bitter. Our beer is not." Faction's visual identity has been shaped by collaborations with artists. The majority of its beer artwork is created by Nick Fullmer. In addition, the walls of the brewery warehouse host murals by four artists: Madeleine Tonzi, Lauren Asta, Kurt Caudle, and Ryan David LaBonte. These murals are a distinctive feature of the taproom experience, which the brewery invites visitors to see in person. The brewery is located at 2501 Monarch Street in Alameda, California, and its taproom operates with a 21-and-over admission policy. Faction remains a privately held, independent craft brewery.

• 2013

  Faction Brewing opened in September 2013 in Alameda, California, founded by Rodger Davis and Claudia Pamparana.

Independent, hop-forward craft brewery with a self-reliant, non-conformist identity and a focus on low-bitterness, highly drinkable pale ales and IPAs.

• Pale Ales

  Hop-forward pale ales highlighting the full expression of the hops with low bitterness and excellent drinkability.

• IPAs

  Hop-forward IPAs in the same low-bitterness, highly drinkable style.

• Lagers

  Lagers produced in the 20-barrel brewhouse.

• Stouts

  Stouts produced in the 20-barrel brewhouse.

• Belgian-style beers

  Belgian-style beers produced in the 20-barrel brewhouse.

• Barrel-aged beers

  Barrel-aged beers produced in the 20-barrel brewhouse.

• Sours

  Occasional sour beers produced in the 20-barrel brewhouse.

1. 1Faction Brewingfactionbrewing.com
2. 2About — Faction Brewingfactionbrewing.com