Põhjala — Jätku Leiba

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Jätku Leiba pours pitch-black with a dense, mocha-tinted head, releasing aromas of dark chocolate, freshly pulled espresso and warm rye crust. Barrel aging lends a layered complexity: soft vanilla, toasted oak and a gentle spirituous warmth weave through the roasted malt backbone. The palate unfolds with plum, raisin and fig, edged by licorice and bittersweet cocoa, while subtle cognac-like richness rounds out the finish. Full-bodied yet remarkably composed, this Estonian imperial porter celebrates the long northern night, finishing on lingering notes of dark fruit, charred oak and roasted coffee.

Food Pairing

Pair with slow-braised short ribs in a dark reduction sauce, where the porter’s roasted depth mirrors the caramelized crust and dark fruit notes complement the meat’s richness. Alternatively, serve alongside a flourless dark chocolate torte with sea salt, allowing the beer’s vanilla, oak and espresso character to amplify the dessert’s bittersweet intensity.

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.