Faction Brewing, Alameda CA

25 June 2023

Haley and I stopped in here briefly after the lunch at Speisekammer and I (of course) got a flight:

These are described from the 12:00 position, going clockwise:

Helles (German Style Helles Lager, 5.4%) – This was a great example of this style, very refreshing on a sunny day sitting outdoors.

Thank You Wave (West Coast Pale Ale, 5.8%) – Here’s another great brew, almost an IPA but really a less bitter Pale Ale with hops typical of a West Coast IPA.

Cockamamie IPA (West Coast IPA, 7.2%) – It was good, but not the best of the five in my opinion; there was too much bitterness for my taste today.

Alec Norton (Märzen, 5.8%) – I would have put this earlier in the flight; I think the flavor was drowned out by the Pale Ale and the IPA. It was a bit more delicate than the two that preceded it.

Anomaly (Coffee Stout, 6.5%) – The name is very fitting! This is truly an anomaly, a pale-colored brew that is actually a strongly-flavored coffee stout with cacao and lactose, pushed on nitro. The more I had of it, the more I liked it!

Here’s their full beer list from the visit:

Faction is a great place for families and there were indeed lots of families there when we stopped in. There was also a craft fair indoors but we didn’t have time to peruse it. Maybe next time!