Põhjala — Zeit Barrel-Aged Wheatwine

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Zeit BA Wheatwine pours deep amber with a slow, languid head, releasing aromas of rich malt, toffee and warm caramel woven with dried fruit, fig and plum. The wheat-driven base lends a softer, silkier body than a traditional barleywine, while extended barrel aging contributes layers of vanilla, oak and gentle bourbon warmth. Sips reveal madeira and sherry-like depth, sticky dates and candied orange peel, finishing with a lingering sweetness balanced by oak tannin and subtle spirit heat. A meditative, slow-sipping showcase of Põhjala’s barrel program and Nordic patience.

Food Pairing

Pair with aged hard cheeses such as Gouda or Comté, where caramel and nutty notes mirror the malt depth. Equally rewarding alongside dark chocolate desserts, sticky toffee pudding or a slice of fig and walnut tart, whose dried-fruit sweetness echoes the beer’s barrel-driven richness.

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.