Põhjala
Porters! Specifically Baltic Porters are an interesting style. Unlike traditional Porters that are brewed with traditional ale yeasts, Baltic Porters are brewed using lager yeasts. Baltic brewers tried their hand at making their own version of the Imperial Stout and ended up creating the Baltic Porter. So technically, the Baltic Porter is almost a lager version of an Imperial stout that has made a name for itself around the world as a style. Pohjala is from Estonia, at the edge of the gulf of Finland in the Baltic sea. They know Baltic porters well and tend to brew them in the fall months as things cool down and nights get longer & darker.
Variations on a theme.
On top of being a go-to for a traditional Baltic porter, Põhjala are also playful and have fun with modern treatments of their beers, so to really have fun with the style I’ve lined up some variations for you all.
Öö meaning “night” is one of their standard straight forward Imperial Baltic Porters and in my opinion, the best of them. Killer example of the style!
Pime Öö meaning “dark night” is the Imperial Stout counterpart to Öö and a great example of what happens when a Baltic brewery focus’s on brewing an Imperial Stout.
Baltic Porter Day was brewed for Baltic porter day this year. It’s an imperial Baltic Porter aged in Palo Santo wood, a hard dense wood with very unique characteristics.
Jätku leiba is an Imperial Baltic porter brewed with toasted rye flakes & aged in Bourbon and American Rye Whiskey barrels. Yum! .
Cheers! -Sam
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Öö |
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Location: Tallinn, Estonia |
An Imperial Baltic Porter as dark as the Estonian winter nights. Strong enough to keep you warm through the cold evenings. Taste: A rich body comes through at first. Initially the espresso-like acidity is balanced by a sweet taste of caramelized toffee. As your glass warms up you should expect to taste redcurrant, mixed with a dark chocolate, washed down with a slight alcoholic warmth. Translation: Night |
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Beer style: Imperial Baltic Porter |
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10.5 % abv |
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Serve 50-57° F |
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Pime Öö |
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Location: Tallinn, Estonia |
An Imperial Stout brewed for the longest night of the year. Syrupy yet smooth, sweet yet strong. The best way to enjoy deepest winter and brood over the darkness in life. Taste: Blackcurrants and rich sticky plums rise up on the tongue, followed by hints of jasmine and cola nut - a hint of carbonation cleanses the palate before the sensation of a layered toffee chocolate brownie and treacle finishes up. Translation: Dark Night |
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Beer style: Imperial stout |
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13.6% abv |
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Serve 50-57° F |
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Baltic Porter Day |
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Location: Tallinn, Estonia |
A rich Imperial Porter aged in Palo Santo wood to celebrate Baltic Porter day. Couldn't find any tasting notes from the brewery on this one so I invite you to come up with your own. I found delicious honey notes that I would normally expect in a Barley wine. |
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Beer style: Barrel aged Imperial Baltic Porter |
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10% abv |
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Serve 50-57° F |
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Jätku leiba |
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Location: Tallinn, Estonia |
A rich Imperial Porter brewed with toasted rye flakes, aged in Bourbon and American Rye Whiskey barrels. Taste: Dried plums and hints of winter spices dominate, with a silky smooth lingering caramel aftertaste. Translation: Bon Appetit |
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Beer style: Barrel aged Imperial Baltic Porter |
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12.5% abv |
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Serve 50-57° F |
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