Põhjala — Disko

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Disko Barrel Aged pours pitch-black with a dense, mocha-tinted crown, releasing waves of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and freshly pulled espresso. The barrel’s influence layers in vanilla, toffee, and gentle oak, while time in wood draws out plum, raisin, and macerated dark fruit from the imperial stout base. The palate is syrupy and full-bodied, coating with bittersweet cocoa and burnt sugar before yielding to whiskey warmth and a whisper of coconut on the finish. A decadent, slow-sipping nightcap from Põhjala’s celebrated Cellar Series, built for contemplation rather than haste.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dense flourless chocolate torte or sticky toffee pudding, where bittersweet cocoa and caramelized sugars echo the beer’s roasted depth. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged blue cheese such as Stilton with walnuts and dark honey, letting the salty pungency contrast the stout’s rich, barrel-driven sweetness.

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.