Põhjala — Wild Dark Nights Wild-Fermented

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Wild Dark Nights pours opaque and brooding, releasing aromas of dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate, and toasted oak laced with funky wild yeast. The palate is a study in contrast: deep roasted malt and cocoa intertwine with tart cherry, plum skin, and vinous acidity born of mixed fermentation. Barrel aging adds layers of oak, leather, and subtle Brett-driven funk, while a long, complex finish balances roast bitterness against bright acidity. Vinous, contemplative, and unmistakably Põhjala, this Cellar Series stout rewards slow sipping and reveals new nuances with every warming sip.

Food Pairing

Pair with seared duck breast in cherry reduction, where the beer’s tart dark fruit and roasted depth mirror the dish’s richness and acidity. For dessert, try aged Gorgonzola with dark chocolate truffles and walnut bread; the wild funk and vinous edge cut through creamy blue cheese while echoing the chocolate’s bitterness.

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.