Wow!  Make some time for Faction Brewery if you're from the Bay Area, planning on visiting the Bay Area, or hope to one day.  Teresa and I stumbled upon this fantastic watering hole in Alameda by the recommendation of a friend last year and gladly came back last week.  Again, we were stunned by the brewery's view of San Francisco from across the bay. We found ample seating and tables on the front deck where guests were enjoying beer while talking, relaxing and playing corn hole.  The atmosphere was fun, safe and diverse.  

Scolari's Good Eats food truck was parked outside and provided visitors with hearty grub to pair with their brews. We ordered the delicious cheese and olive stuffed arancini with rosemary aioli and a couple of cheddarwurst sausages.

After we finished eating, we stepped inside the taproom to grab a beer and noticed a long line.  This being said, the bartenders were fast and knowledgeable so the wait wasn't long.  They have a wide variety of beer for the modern palate.  Faction is known for its "Defcon" series which I personally enjoyed.  Most Faction draughts range from $4.50 to $5.00, which is a steal for the quality. Teresa and I each had a pint, then bought a growler of the Sasquatch Ale and got it filled, all for $36. Not bad! If you're in Alameda, stop by Faction and grab a drink.  Even if you're not a beer person, the view, atmosphere, and food truck well warrant a visit.

Click on the gallery above to discover more about what makes Faction awesome.

The Details
What: Faction Brewing
Where: 2501 Monarch St., Alameda, Calif. 94501
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Closed Monday-Tuesday
Website: www.factionbrewing.com