Sometimes, Mother Nature flips you the bird, and it’s a good thing.

Located in a historic hanger of the closed Alameda Naval Air Base, the walk up to the much anticipated Faction Brewing offers little scenery beyond deserted military buildings, a dusty dog run, and some barbed wire fencing. But walk into the 1,200-square-foot space that’s destined to be Faction’s taproom and beer garden, and it’s a whole different world.

The bay sparkles in the distance. There’s a sweeping view of the San Francisco skyline. At night, fireworks often go off along the San Francisco pier.

Roger Davis (formerly head brewer at Drake’s and Triple Rock) and wife Claudia (who worked at 21st Amendment for years) are counting on the stellar views in addition to their skillfully crafted brews to draw in the crowds.

And the couple can thank – in part – an unlikely source:  a flock of 9-inch tall, fish-eating neighbors called the California Least Terns. Davis and Pamparana became acquainted with the endangered species during the design process for their 8,000-barrel-a-year facility.

The birds favor the gravelly expanses of abandoned runways that sit between the brewery and the shore for their spring and summer nesting. And, because of their protected status, nothing can be built on those scraggly stretches that would otherwise block the taproom’s view.

Sure, the birds complicated the planning process a bit, Davis and Pamparana said. The nesting grounds added an entirely new layer of red tape from environmental organizations on top of state, local, and naval regulations. Certain tall structures – like Faction’s grain silos – had to be located farther from the airfield for fear they’d provide perches for the Least Tern’s predators.

“There were a lot of approvals we needed to go through,” Davis said. “It’s been a long process but worth the wait. It’s going to be the coolest brewery ever.”

Now that the plans are coming together, the couple is realizing a dream they’ve had since 2006. Production is ramping up at the moment, with plans to bottle in the near future. The tasting room should open officially in the next few weeks. An outdoor beer garden will follow down the road, Davis said at a recent Faction release party at City Beer.

He and Pamparana are touring the Bay Area, introducing their brews at top bars and bottle shops. So far, they’ve released a pale, two uniquely hopped IPAs, and a special Ales for ALS brew. But Davis, a self-professed hophead, promises that Faction fans will see more than just hop-forward beers out of his shop. A new stout is near release. Stay tuned for sours and big boozy barrel-aged beers as well.

The couple has already locked down some barrels from a nearby distillery and has eyes on a neighboring winery’s barrels as well. Take note, boozy day trippers: Faction is immediately next door to St. George’s distillery and Rockwall Winery – and it’s just a ferry ride away from the city.

“I don’t think anyone really understood the potential of this space,” Pamparana said.

And as for the birds?

Aside from the occasional Faction fan raising a glass to their good health, Davis said there’s a plan to brew an Alameda-only pale ale with profits going to local charities. The first batch, he said, will be dedicated to saving the birds that are protecting his views.