The Penske File
Faction Brewing


- From:
- Faction Brewing
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Pale Ale
Ranked #273 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #15,327 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 7.75%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 10
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 29, 2025
- Added:
- Mar 28, 2016
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 7
Brewed with Mosaic & Equinox hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by TheWaySheGoes from Illinois
4.51/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Very unique for a pale ale, I can see why reviews are all over the place. Melon, spice, and a strong earthiness flavor towards the end...wow! Smell is incredible. Feel might be off-putting to some. I appreciate what it's trying to do, and would gladly buy this again. A+ on the name/can design!
Nov 11, 2022Rated by Favian
4.05/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Taste hints of pineapple, pine, and ends with pleasant bitterness.
Oct 20, 2019Reviewed by BerkeleyBeerSleuth from California
3.55/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.55/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Brilliant. I'm getting just a slight opacity in the body and a rocky head. Mosaic and Ekuanot hops. American 2 - row crystal 45. Very bitter piney taste.
Jun 30, 2019Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
4.25/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into an English pint glass.
The appearance was a fabulous looking bronzed golden yellow color with a small cap of a little white foamy head. This fell off at a decent pace. Light concave wispy lace.
The aroma had a fantastic blend of danky sweet floral hops dripping with some wet pine needle bittersweetness then underscored by some guava/mango tropical hop notes.
The flavor mirrored the aroma sweetly then with some warmth brought in an ample bitter piney dryness. Mellow aftertaste of pine, floral hops, slight danky character, guava/mango and a touch of honey-ed malts.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied, seemed to sit a touch under and having a wonderful sessionability about it. Sharp carbonation rolled about telling me this is a well done West coast styled APA.
Overall, a carefully crafted West coast styled APA with an appropriate ABV made to help this one be slammed. Would be great with some tuna steaks.
Jun 09, 2019The appearance was a fabulous looking bronzed golden yellow color with a small cap of a little white foamy head. This fell off at a decent pace. Light concave wispy lace.
The aroma had a fantastic blend of danky sweet floral hops dripping with some wet pine needle bittersweetness then underscored by some guava/mango tropical hop notes.
The flavor mirrored the aroma sweetly then with some warmth brought in an ample bitter piney dryness. Mellow aftertaste of pine, floral hops, slight danky character, guava/mango and a touch of honey-ed malts.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied, seemed to sit a touch under and having a wonderful sessionability about it. Sharp carbonation rolled about telling me this is a well done West coast styled APA.
Overall, a carefully crafted West coast styled APA with an appropriate ABV made to help this one be slammed. Would be great with some tuna steaks.
Reviewed by ithacabaron from California
3.99/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a sharp, golden blonde. Riddled with teeny tiny bubbles, and topped by a beautiful, pure white cap. Beautiful, and with true lasting power.
Aroma is guava, guava, guava. A hint of pine needle, bitter citrus pith, a little red currant. But the guava is the star of the show. Bright and tantalizing.
Taste is mellower than the nose, with dried pineapple, more pith, and saffron. Pine needles are no where to be found, but there is a sharp, bracing bitterness on the finish. Dries nicely, welcoming the next sip. Properly bitter, and brings on some pleasant hop burps.
Mouthfeel is very pleasant. Could be a touch more carbonated for me, but will probably please most palates. Would be great with food. Quick effects emerge from the beer due to the many bubbles. One of these is probably enough for me.
Overall, this is a very pleasant surprise, and a brew I'd happily pick up again. Fresh, fun, and meant to be drank in the sunshine. Recommended.
Aug 11, 2018Aroma is guava, guava, guava. A hint of pine needle, bitter citrus pith, a little red currant. But the guava is the star of the show. Bright and tantalizing.
Taste is mellower than the nose, with dried pineapple, more pith, and saffron. Pine needles are no where to be found, but there is a sharp, bracing bitterness on the finish. Dries nicely, welcoming the next sip. Properly bitter, and brings on some pleasant hop burps.
Mouthfeel is very pleasant. Could be a touch more carbonated for me, but will probably please most palates. Would be great with food. Quick effects emerge from the beer due to the many bubbles. One of these is probably enough for me.
Overall, this is a very pleasant surprise, and a brew I'd happily pick up again. Fresh, fun, and meant to be drank in the sunshine. Recommended.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.64/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.64/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from Whole Foods. Bright golden pour with soft foamy head. Light citrusy aroma, malts and grains, bready. recalls a pils with a bit more hops. Taste is more of the lemon zest, pine and citrus, malts. Clean, sharp. Enjoying this.
Jan 19, 2018Rated by Jugs_McGhee from Texas
3.55/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.55/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Low B / GOOD
Oct 17, 2017
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