Põhjala — Öö X BA Imperial Baltic Porter Cellar Series

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Öö X BA pours pitch-black with a deep mahogany crown, releasing waves of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and espresso layered over plum, raisin, and macerated dark fruits. Time in barrel adds a vinous depth, weaving vanilla, toasted oak, and a gentle cognac-like warmth through the porter’s roasty backbone. Hints of licorice and bittersweet cocoa linger on a full, velvety body, while subtle spirit character lifts the finish without overwhelming the base beer. A celebration of Estonia’s long winter nights, this Cellar Series imperial Baltic porter is contemplative, vinous, and richly indulgent.

Food Pairing

Pair with seared venison in a dark berry reduction, where the porter’s roasted depth and dark fruit echo the gamey richness. For dessert, try a flourless dark chocolate torte with candied figs, allowing the beer’s espresso, vanilla, and oak-aged warmth to amplify the cocoa intensity and dried-fruit 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.