Põhjala — Odravein Port & Cognac BA

Technische Details

Verkostungsprofil

A decadent expression of Põhjala’s flagship anniversary barleywine, matured in port and cognac casks for layered complexity. The pour reveals a rich malt foundation laced with caramel and toffee, opening into waves of dried fruit, fig, and plum. Port barrels lend a velvety madeira and sherry-like sweetness, while cognac casks contribute warming spirit, oak, and subtle vanilla. Each sip unfolds with raisin, dark stone fruit, and a lingering oaky warmth that carries the weight of Estonia’s northern winters. Sipping slow, this is a contemplative barleywine built for the cellar.

Lebensmittel-Paarung

Pair with aged hard cheeses such as Comté or a crumbly blue Stilton to mirror the beer’s dried fruit and oak character. Equally rewarding alongside dark chocolate truffles or a sticky toffee pudding, where caramel and plum notes echo the dessert’s richness and amplify the barrel-derived warmth.

About Põhjala Brewery

Põhjala Brewery was founded in 2011 in Tallinn, Estonia, by four beer enthusiasts who were later joined by head brewer Chris Pilkington. The brewery’s name translates to “northern realm” in Estonian, reflecting its deep connection to the Nordic region and the forests of Estonia. Põhjala has established itself as the largest craft brewery in the Baltic states, distinguished by its particular focus on porters, barrel ageing, and the incorporation of indigenous Estonian forest ingredients into its brewing process.

The brewery’s first beer, Öö Imperial Baltic Porter, was contract-brewed before the company opened its original facility in Tallinn’s Nõmme district in April 2014. Following rapid growth, Põhjala invested nearly 4.9 million euros in 2018 to relocate to a state-of-the-art brewery in the Noblessner area, featuring a capacity of 1,200 hectolitres per month and an extensive taproom with 24 taps. Põhjala holds the distinction of being the only Baltic brewery to appear in Ratebeer’s prestigious “top 100” list of world breweries, cementing its reputation as a leading force in European craft beer.