Drake’s and Faction Tree Beer Debuts at SF Beer Week
San Leandro, CA – Rodger Davis, former Drake’s Head Brewer and owner of brand new Alameda brewery Faction Brewing, came by Drake’s Brewery in January to join Lead Brewer Alexandra Nowell in throwing 20 lbs of pine tree branches into the boil kettle for a collaboration IPA.
Why? Imagine the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree. Now think about inhaling the gratifying aromas of pine-like hops wafting from the top of your favorite IPA. With these thoughts in mind, Alex and Rodger merrily threw convention to the wayside and stuffed the boil kettle at Drake’s with freshly harvested Grand Fir tree branches from Half Moon Bay.
The Drake’s/Faction “Tree Beer,” 6.7% ABV, 75 IBUs, takes you to both those moments of aromatic pine-exhultation as distinctly, tree-like notes of woodsy pine resin marry with orange-like aromas from Citra and Amarillo hops in the kettle and the dry-hop. A simple base of American 2-row and light crystal malt let the hops and the tree flavors blossom to intriguing and delicious levels.
Watch for the “Tree Beer” at the Opening Gala of SF Beer Week at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco on Friday, February 8. Afterward, look for it on draft around the Bay Area as many continue their ascent toward new levels of beer-nerdery during SF Beer Week.
ABOUT THE BREWERIES:
Drake’s Brewing Company is an urban craft brewery in industrial San Leandro, CA, that has been brewing some of the highest-quality and most innovative ales and lagers since 1989. For years Drake’s has been showing beer lovers how it’s done when it comes to making West-Coast style ales with a commitment to quality and and unparalleled dedication to hops, malt, water, yeast… and hops.
Faction Brewing Company is a start-up, production brewery on Alameda Island created and operated by husband and wife team and long time Bay Area brewing industry veterans, Rodger Davis and Claudia Pamparana. The brewery, slated to begin full operations in spring 2013, will be dedicated to the production of sophisticated and unique ales and lagers. Please check out the Faction website for updates as the brewery is constructed, and make sure to stop by the tasting room for a beer when the dust settles and the beer is flowing.
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February 4, 2013 @ 9:03 am
Yes he did, Michelle, and it was also for SF Beer Week. It was just a firkin though and I was one of the lucky few to try it at The Monk’s Kettle, although I don’t believe his had ANY hops in it — just spruce tips (if memory serves…).
January 31, 2013 @ 7:03 pm
…didn’t Brian Hunt from Moonlight Brewing already do this?