Põhjala — Marshmallow Island

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Marshmallow Island pours jet black with a dense mocha-hued head, releasing aromas of toasted marshmallow, dark chocolate and vanilla bean. The palate is unapologetically dessert-like: pillowy marshmallow sweetness folds into roasted malt, bittersweet cocoa and a whisper of coconut, all underpinned by warm bourbon-style depth and caramelized sugar. Mid-palate brings hints of coffee and cinnamon, while the finish lingers with sticky vanilla, gentle roast bitterness and a campfire-toasted sweetness. Full-bodied, viscous and decadent, it captures Põhjala’s signature pastry stout craftsmanship in liquid confectionery form.

Food Pairing

Pair with a warm flourless chocolate cake topped with toasted marshmallow and sea salt, where the dessert sweetness mirrors the beer’s confectionery character. Alternatively, serve alongside a mature blue cheese such as Stilton with candied pecans, letting the salty funk cut through the stout’s rich vanilla, cocoa and roasted malt depth.

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.