Põhjala — Sticks & Stones Port BA

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with concentrated dark fruit from the Port barrel influence—plum, black cherry, and fig—melding with baker’s chocolate and espresso. Beneath lies a whisper of oak tannin and subtle vanilla. On the palate, velvety molasses and dark caramel anchor a complex core of roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and fortified wine sweetness. The 13.5% alcohol integrates seamlessly, lending warmth without harshness. The finish is long and drying, with lingering notes of cocoa nibs, toasted oak, and a gentle vinous character that distinguishes this from bourbon-aged counterparts.

Food Pairing

Pair with a rich chocolate fondant or flourless torte, where the Port barrel’s fruit notes echo the dessert’s intensity while the roast bitterness cuts through sweetness. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Stilton or Roquefort—the beer’s residual sweetness and fortified wine character complement pungent blue cheese beautifully, while shared dark fruit notes create harmonious synergy.

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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