Põhjala — Triple Barrel BA Barleywine Cellar Series

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A monumental barleywine from Põhjala’s acclaimed Cellar Series, matured across three distinct barrel types for layered depth and complexity. The pour reveals a deep mahogany hue, leading into a rich nose of caramel, toffee, and dried fruit. On the palate, waves of fig, plum, and madeira-like sweetness mingle with sherry oxidation and warming bourbon notes. Vanilla and toasted oak weave through the finish, while the triple barrel character adds nuanced spirit warmth and tannic structure. Full-bodied and decadent, it balances rich malt sweetness with mature barrel-derived complexity, sipping like liquid velvet through a long, contemplative finish.

Food Pairing

Pair with aged hard cheeses such as Comté or a crumbly Stilton, where the barleywine’s dried fruit and caramel notes complement salty, nutty richness. Equally rewarding alongside a dense sticky toffee pudding or dark chocolate truffles, letting the vanilla, oak, and bourbon warmth echo dessert sweetness while cutting through buttery decadence.

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.