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Barn Owl No. 12

Bellwoods Brewery
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🌍 Canada · Sour Ale · One of 24 Sour Ales in hopIQ

Bellwoods' Barn Owl No. 12 merges mixed fermentation with aggressive dry-hopping—a tart, funky pale ale that walks the line between funky yeast character and bright hop aromatics. The dank, resinous nose comes from the hefty late-addition hops; underneath lies a lively acidity that stays modest on the palate, never biting. At 6.2%, this is a beer for the curious drinker who wants funk and florals in the same glass, best served cool to sharpen both the hop edge and the sour bite.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Mild
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Dry and crisp.

A direct pour that closes clean — trim and sharp, working together to keep things moving.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Sour Ale.
Hop character
resinous
dank
hoppy
floral
Fermentation & yeast
funky
sour
yeasty
tart
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Barn Owl No. 12

Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass as you drink. Bright carbonation creates a lively bead that sustains the foam line with visible lacing. The color suggests a restrained malt bill, allowing the beer's funky character to take visual precedence.

pale goldencrisp carbonationpersistent head

Aroma

The nose leads with dank, resinous hop character—earthy and peppery, with an underlying floral sweetness that adds complexity. Beneath the aggressive hop presence sits a lively funkiness from the mixed fermentation, mingling with subtle green fruit and wild yeast notes. The interplay is bright and slightly herbaceous, never cloying.

dank resinfunky yeastfloral hops

Taste

Entry is crisp and moderately tart, with the acidity remaining restrained and integrated rather than sharp. Mid-palate displays a balance between hoppy bitterness and fermentation-derived funk—earthy, slightly musty, with a faint winey note. The 6.2% alcohol sits comfortably in the background, allowing the tension between sour and resinous hop to dominate without becoming aggressive.

tart, integratedfunky-earthy mid-palatehoppy bitterness

Finish

The finish is dry and refreshingly crisp, with lingering hop bitterness and a whisper of acidity that fades gracefully. No sweetness remains; instead, a mineral, slightly dusty aftertaste reinforces the beer's funky character and rewarding complexity.

dry and crisppersistent funk
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Barn Owl No. 12

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Barn Owl No. 12

About Sour Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour Ale?

Sour Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Sour Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same funky, resinous, sour character as Barn Owl No. 12 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Sour Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Sour Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Canada beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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