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MASK OF ETERNITY

Beachwood Brewing
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🌍 United States · Belgian Sour · One of 5 Belgian Sours in hopIQ

Mask of Eternity is a Belgian-style sour ale from Beachwood Brewing, the celebrated Long Beach, California craft institution. Pouring a hazy, burnished gold with a delicate white head, this barrel-aged beauty draws the eye immediately. The aroma opens with bright lactic tartness layered over earthy oak, subtle funk, and whispers of stone fruit and citrus peel. On the palate, the Southern Californian interpretation of classic Belgian sourness unfolds gracefully — crisp acidity balanced by gentle malt sweetness, complemented by vanilla and woody notes imparted through patient oak aging. The finish is pleasingly dry and refreshingly tart, with lingering complexity that rewards contemplation. An expertly crafted sour that bridges Old World Belgian tradition with West Coast ambition.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Mild
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
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

Crisp and dry.

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 Belgian Sour.
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
funky
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
Hop character
citrusyearthy
Malt character
malty
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

#5 of 50The Best American Sours

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for MASK OF ETERNITY

Appearance

A hazy, burnished gold pours beneath a delicate white head that settles to a thin collar. The turbidity from wild yeast fermentation creates an inviting, lived-in appearance characteristic of barrel-aged Belgian sours. Carbonation is moderate and integrated, supporting a fine bead without aggression.

hazy goldendelicate white headbarrel-aged clarity

Aroma

The nose opens with bright lactic tartness that immediately frames the character, layered over earthy oak and subtle funky notes from Lactobacillus activity. Stone fruit and citrus peel emerge behind the primary sourness, with whispers of vanilla oak integration rounding the overall bouquet without overwhelming the acidity.

lactic tartnessearthy oakstone fruit citruswild yeast funk

Taste

Entry brings crisp acidity that defines the palate, balanced by gentle malt sweetness that prevents harshness. Mid-palate reveals layered complexity: vanilla and woody notes from patient barrel aging sit alongside dark fruit undertones, while a persistent but refined sourness maintains tension throughout. The interplay between oak tannins and lactic bite creates a sophisticated, dynamic mouthfeel.

crisp aciditymalt sweetnessvanilla oakdark fruit complexity

Finish

The finish is pleasingly dry and refreshingly tart, with lingering sourness that gradually subsides into a gentle woody dryness. Complexity persists in the aftertaste, rewarding extended contemplation and encouraging another sip.

dry and tartwoody lingering finish
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
82
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of MASK OF ETERNITY

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

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

Goblet
Recommended for this style

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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

Food Pairing

What to eat with MASK OF ETERNITY

About Belgian Sour

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Sour?

Belgian Sour 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 Belgian Sour

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tart, sour, earthy character as MASK OF ETERNITY will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Belgian Sours in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

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