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Welcome to Faction Brewing

Faction Brewing, located in Alameda, CA, offers a diverse selection of craft beers with a focus on IPAs and hop-forward brews. With both indoor and outdoor seating offering breathtaking views of the city, bay bridge, and big sky, Faction provides the perfect setting for enjoying a cold brew. The cozy and vibrant atmosphere, complemented by unique murals and Christmas decorations, creates a festive charm. Customers rave about the prompt and friendly service, as well as the refreshing and flavorful Cold IPA. While the food options are limited, rotating food trucks are available outside. Faction Brewing is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts looking for quality brews in a picturesque setting.

Faction Brewing: Reviews & Ratings

Steve K.
Steve K.

We visited a huge flea market at Faction which was super fun. The brewery has a million-dollar-view of SF...but the beer is just ok. Fun, lively place, but meh on the brews.

Lilian W.
Lilian W.

In Alameda, Faction Brewing offers a laid-back atmosphere with beautiful views and spacious seating options both indoors and outdoors. The environment is cozy and vibrant, featuring murals and Christmas decorations that add a festive charm. It's a self-serve water setup, and while they don't make their own food, there are likely food trucks available earlier in the evening--though by 8 PM, food service had stopped during my visit. The service was prompt and friendly, and the ambiance was enhanced by the unique murals and the presence of the "Mutt Truck," which seems to be a staple feature. I enjoyed a Cold IPA for $10, which was refreshing and tasted great. It's a solid place to relax, enjoy a drink, and soak in the views, especially if you arrive earlier for the food truck offerings.

Rick M.
Rick M.

Been a fan of Faction from Day 1! I'm a sucker for IPAs and hop bombs and Faction delivers on both fronts. Not to mention they knock it out of the ballpark with stouts, session beers, and an assortment of seasonal lagers and ales that take advantage of the changing temps and available ingredients. But I'll always come back to faction, growler in hand, for their IPAs. They don't kid around here, and dump obscene amounts of grains and hops into their IPAs in order to make it abundantly clear that you're about to have an adventure. The grain bills for their recipes must be sky high, but the quantity of grains also shows up in the quality of taste. Faction brews some real hop monsters with resinous and piney flavor profiles that still don't crush other flavor. I know people rag on big IPAs as being undrinkable, but there's some real artistry in the flavors that Faction is able to coax out of these formulations. And I'm a big fan of not needing to fill up on volumes of liquid just to feel the effects. Some of my fave Faction brews, like their seasonal Blitzen Triple IPA that was available on draft on my visit, has a whopping 10.5% ABV. In this economy, that's some strategic drinking! Faction has both indoor and outdoor seating. And believe me, outdoors is where you want to be. Located right beside the decommissioned Alameda Naval landing field, Faction has unparalleled views of the City, Bay Bridge, and big sky. These are the BEST drinking views in the entire Bay Area. Limited prepackaged snacks can be purchased inside, but a rotating roster of food trucks are generally available outside as well. And don't miss out on their calendar of special events that take place throughout the year (check their website for the current lineup).

Stephen W.
Stephen W.

I came here in a recommendation. They have a great selection of beers. Their winter seasonal triple ipa was surprisingly light and refreshing albeit strong. The people are very friendly and helpful. The ambiance is great for a hangout the patio is spacious. There is yummy food trucks near by. I just wanted to inform you that Google maps stops you near the parking area, so don't be afraid to enter the fencing and look for the sign!

Jasmine Y.
Jasmine Y.

Amazing spot to watch a sunset and sip. Great for large groups, good vibes to be with friends. I have been there on several occasions and enjoyed it. If only there was a little more food options available! Their service was great, very friendly! They make great recommendations based upon what you mention you like or lean towards. Bring a blanket or thick jacket, gets chilly towards the evening.

Jacqueline C.
Jacqueline C.

Faction was a great experience! It's located in a big open space with plenty of parking overlooking the bay. Such a great view and vibe. When I was there on the weekend, there were food truck and music. People were just chilling outdoor enjoying and chatting. Dogs friendly outdoor ! For those who want to be indoor, there's some seatings inside. You could also go to the back to check out the tanks and brewery. Some mural art at the brewery. They only have one lager but plenty of ipa options. Friendly service.

Brian K.
Brian K.

Nice spot with sweeping views of San Francisco. Easy parking, friendly and knowledgeable staff. They have en extensive selection of beer on tap. I opted for a flight ($3 each). The highlights for me were the Hemi 5.4, Harvest IPA and (believe it or not), their chocolate milk stout. The IPA's were all tasty with nice hops profiles, good nose on both the harvest and Hemi. Overall a great spot, open atmosphere and a good time!!

Chira E.
Chira E.

Such a cool atmosphere to spend an afternoon catching up with friends. The space is huge inside with plenty of spacious seating outdoors as well. I'm new to beer and I'm always trying to get a feel for what I like, this also means lots of questions. Even with a growing line the bartender was patient and gave me a few options to try. They were also hosting a market on this particular day, with local vendors displaying their goods. With beer, good service and ample parking, Faction is a must visit!

Vanessa M.
Vanessa M.

We discovered that we'd been missing out on this spectacular brewery much too late. We were coming in from Sacramento and heading to the last weekend series at the Coliseum when we decided to stop for a beer. Yelpers definitely pointed us in the right direction. Great beertenders, tasty beer options, and a beautiful view. Although our days of going to A's games have come to an end, we'll definitely be back for beer at Faction.

Stephen T.
Stephen T.

I've been working in Oakland for 18 years, yet this was my first trip over to the decommissioned NAS Alameda and Faction Brewing. Although I've known about Faction in beer circles--seeing it occasionally on tap at Hop Asylum or spotting cans for sale, especially Blitzen during the holiday season--I never got around to visiting the brewery. Why I passed it up for so long, I'll never know. I'd been listening to a podcast about the Port of Oakland and wanted to find some good spots to watch container ships. After heading down Main St. and taking the last left onto Navy Way, I was on my way to Faction with purpose. Having already tried the other local breweries, I wanted to see how Faction stacked up. My 5-stars hinted at greatness, but I needed the details for myself. Finding the parking lot took a minute, as the Faction sign had come loose, but there was plenty of parking right next to the old Naval building. It was a Friday afternoon, just before 5:30pm, and the outdoor space was enormous--fenced in but offering stunning views of the bay, downtown, and the bridges. The sky was clear, and the sunset was warm, painting the perfect backdrop. The Locos Only Fusion Food Truck was there, but I didn't try the food, though it looked as good as the menu sounded. On the wooden patio, I walked inside and was immediately faced with an overwhelming selection of taps. Since I hadn't tried many Faction beers before, I started simple with a pale ale. From there, I ventured on to Ales for ALS 2024 and Votemeal. Each beer was crisp, clean, and full of flavor, and I'm excited to explore more of what Faction has to offer. The location's history alone is worth the visit. Sitting outside as the sun set, with no umbrellas needed, was the perfect way to unwind after a long week. Inside, the tap list was easy to read, complete with hop varietals, and the staff was quick and attentive, answering all my questions--even the ones I already knew the answers to. The taproom had some raised tables in the front room, and there was a back room (hangar) with the restrooms and brewing vats where people could hang out. Overall, it was another great trip to a local brewery. The only downside for me is driving through the Posey Tube, but that's hardly a knock on the beer, staff, or the brewery itself. If you're looking for excellent beer with fantastic views, Faction Brewing is the spot. Cheers!

Location

Welcome to Faction Brewing, a women-owned brewery located in Alameda, CA, offering a diverse range of craft beers and a lively atmosphere. With a million-dollar view of San Francisco, Faction Brewing provides a unique setting for beer enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite brews.

Customer reviews highlight the laid-back atmosphere, beautiful views, and spacious seating options both indoors and outdoors. The cozy and vibrant environment, complete with murals and festive decorations, creates a welcoming space for visitors. The presence of food trucks earlier in the evening adds to the overall experience.

One customer praised the Cold IPA for its refreshing taste, while another commended Faction Brewing for their selection of IPAs, hop bombs, stouts, session beers, and seasonal lagers and ales. The brewery's commitment to quality and flavor profiles sets them apart in the craft beer scene.

Outdoor seating offers unparalleled views of the City, Bay Bridge, and the expansive sky, making it an ideal spot to unwind and take in the scenery. With a rotating roster of food trucks and special events throughout the year, Faction Brewing ensures there is always something new to experience.

Whether you're a fan of IPAs or looking to try something new, Faction Brewing has something for everyone. So, grab a drink, relax on the spacious patio, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at Faction Brewing.