512: Rodger Davis of Faction Thinks All Hops Are Good, But Some Hops Are Better

In a world dominated by IPAs, is there space for similarly hop-forward expressions but at lower ABV? Rodger Davis of Faction in Alameda, California thinks so, and backs it up with a lineup of pale ale that rivals any other brewery’s list of IPAs—6-7 on draft in the taproom at any given moment. The beers themselves are models of intention, and judges have noticed, awarding Pale 586 back-to-back gold medals in the World Beer Cup in 2023 and 2024.

In this episode, Davis discusses:

• building a niche for pale ale at Faction
• launching beers around individual hops like Mosaic then Krush
• reducing crystal malt and maintaining body with hops themselves
• drying out beers with To Thee! Pils malt
• achieving Riesling-like notes from Strata
• brewing classic beers like Pyramid Hefeweizen and Drake’s 1500
• switching from ale yeast to lager yeast

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers G&D’s new Elite 290 Micro-series runs on a natural refrigerant with near-zero global warming potential (GWP)—built for brewers who care about sustainability and performance. We recently built one for New Belgium Brewing, delivering around 50 percent energy savings over CO2 systems and 9 percent more efficiency than A2Ls. That’s real-world impact from a brewery that knows what it takes. With 24/7 support and remote monitoring, your cold side stays dialed in—day or night. Learn more about sustainable chiller solutions at gdchillers.com/podcast.

Berkeley Yeast It’s here! Berkeley’s FRESH™ Chico is now available dry. You’ve heard here on the podcast just how many medal-winning brewers use FRESH™ Chico as their house strain because of how clean and versatile it is. If you want to make world-class IPA, your fermentation must avoid unwanted or distracting flavors, and Berkeley’s robust low-diacetyl technology is a game changer with healthy and highly viable cells that ferment fast and clean every time. Bringing that level of fermentation innovation to dried yeast is no small feat, but our experts at Berkeley Yeast love making the impossible possible. With bricks priced as low as $88, it’s a cost-effective solution, and you’ll save even more by eliminating ALDC from your brews. Head over to berkeleyyeast.com and start leveling up your IPA today.

PakTech This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.

Indie Hops Oregon hop country is heaven to world-class lager varieties, and Indie Hops is proud to have introduced Oregon’s newest lager hop, Lórien, in 2022. Lórien is in a growing list of beers that have found their way to the podium and—more importantly—into the hearts of lager lovers across the country. Discover Indie Hops Lórien. (Side effects may include rampant festivity, sales bumps, and exceeded expectations.) Indie Hops—Life Is Short. Let’s Make It Flavorful.