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Brettal Head

Bellwoods Brewery
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🌍 Canada · Pale Ale · One of 110 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Bellwoods' Foeder Aged Pale Ale undergoes a deliberate three-stage journey: initial fermentation in stainless steel, refermentation in oak, and a substantial dry-hop charge that builds layered complexity. The result is intensely fruity, with brett character woven through the aroma and body—not a shouting presence, but intricate and expressive. Hop aromatics linger into the finish, balancing the wine-like acidity that oak and wild yeast bring. This is a beer for unhurried moments, where the fruit and hop play off each other across multiple sips. Serve lightly chilled to let the brett and fruit register fully.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
golden8
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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

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
funky
sour
yeasty
clean
Distinctive notes
oak
dark fruit
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Brettal Head

Appearance

Pale golden hue with light clarity, revealing the beer's restrained malt profile and extended aging in wood. The head forms with moderate persistence and clings to the glass with fine lacing. Carbonation appears gentle, appropriate for a beer built on complexity rather than effervescence.

pale goldclear to brightfine lacinggentle carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with stone and dark fruit—plum, apricot—layered beneath herbal and floral hop notes that refuse to fade. Brett character emerges as a subtle earthiness and subtle funkiness, never dominating but adding textural intrigue. Oak contributes a gentle woody baseline with hints of vanilla and dried fruit that anchor the composition.

dark fruitherbal hopssubtle funkoak and vanilla

Taste

Entry is crisp and dry, with hop bitterness arriving cleanly alongside a wine-like acidity born from oak and wild fermentation. The midpalate develops layered fruit—stone fruit and dried cherry—while a restrained funkiness weaves through without overwhelming the balanced pale ale backbone. The dryness persists, cutting any residual sweetness and inviting the next sip.

fruity and drywine-like aciditybalanced bitternesslayered complexity

Finish

The finish extends with lingering hop aromatics and a clean, slightly tannic aftertaste from the oak aging. Acidity leaves a refreshing brightness that carries into the fade, encouraging contemplation across multiple sips.

lingering hopsclean and refreshing
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
86
Appearance
80
Finish
83
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Brettal Head

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Brettal Head

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, oak, hoppy character as Brettal Head will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

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

WHERE TO BUY

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