The Penske File
Faction Brewing

The Penske FileThe Penske File
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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:
45 | 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.
 
Rated: 4.03 by dbrauneis from North Carolina

Apr 29, 2025
 
Rated: 3.75 by pkalix from California

Apr 09, 2025
Photo of TheWaySheGoes
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
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, 2022
 
Rated: 4.02 by minterro from California

Aug 15, 2021
 
Rated: 3.87 by nmann08 from Virginia

Nov 20, 2019
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Rated by Favian

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, 2019
Photo of BerkeleyBeerSleuth
Reviewed 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
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, 2019
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed 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
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, 2019
 
Rated: 4.45 by EricPhilpott from Canada (ON)

Feb 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by WDJersey from Colorado

Nov 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by Gkruszewski from New York

Sep 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Sep 21, 2018
Photo of ithacabaron
Reviewed by ithacabaron from California

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, 2018
 
Rated: 3.96 by gefinley from California

Apr 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by dipso123 from Oregon

Mar 31, 2018
Photo of stevoj
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
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, 2018
 
Rated: 3.87 by brentusaurus from California

Jan 13, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by festizio from California

Nov 20, 2017
 
Rated: 4.48 by KensWorld from Florida

Oct 19, 2017
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Rated 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
Low B / GOOD
Oct 17, 2017