E-Malt.com News article: USA, CA: Faction Brewing Company to open in Alameda

Faction Brewing Company has secured a lease from the Alameda city to move into what was once an aircraft hangar at the former Alameda Naval Air Station, where business owners Roger and Claudia Davis hope to produce about 8,000 barrels of craft beer annually, insidebayarea.com reported on September, 20.

Along with a production facility, a sales center and a tap room are planned for the building, allowing customers to sample the various ales, pilsners and stouts that will emerge after the brewers begin fermenting the hops, malt and other ingredients.

The business is expected to open by spring, according to city officials.

The start-up brewing company will occupy 32,500 square feet of the building - or about half the available space.

"It's cool," Ivan Frimane, 26, an Alameda resident and self-confessed beer lover, said about having a brewery open at the former military base. "There's enough space out there to have festivals and other promotional-type things when it's up and running."

Christian Eglin, 24, said the brewing company will provide a financial boost to the area, now known as Alameda Point.

"It's good news for the city and the East Bay," Eglin said. "It means new jobs in this economy, which always is a good thing, and it will help make the place known for good beer and brewpubs."

It took about 18 months to secure Faction Brewing Company as a tenant, Nanette Mocanu, division manager with the city's Community Development Department, said.

The effort included attending a craft brewers conference in March 2011 before Faction submitted a proposal earlier this year, she said.

The brewing company will not pay rent for the first three months since it will be obtaining permits and approvals for construction and will not be occupying the space.

The initial rent will be $12,025 each month, or $144,300 annually, and will be adjusted over five years until it reaches $13,000 each month, or $156,000 annually. A new rent will be then established at the market rate under the deal worked out between the brewing company and city.


21 September, 2012