Põhjala — Plum

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with lush dark plum and bramble fruit, laced with vanilla oak and a whisper of bourbon warmth. Layers of dark chocolate and toasted malt provide depth, while subtle honey notes add complexity. On the palate, rich porter character meets jammy stone fruit—ripe plums marry seamlessly with roasted coffee, dark caramel, and a gentle alcoholic heat. The bourbon influence brings warming spice and oaky tannins without overwhelming the fruit-forward character. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering dark fruit, cocoa, and a pleasant drying quality that invites the next sip.

Food Pairing

Pair with rich chocolate desserts—particularly a dark chocolate tart with cherry compote, where the plum notes create a harmonious bridge between beer and fruit. Equally compelling alongside aged hard cheeses such as mature cheddar or Comté, where the beer’s sweetness and roasted malt complexity complement the cheese’s nutty, crystalline character while the bourbon warmth cuts through rich, creamy textures.

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.

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