Puhaste — Avellana Bourbon BA

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Part of Pühaste’s celebrated Silver Series, Avellana Bourbon BA is a decadent imperial stout built around hazelnut richness and the warming embrace of Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. The pour is jet black with a mocha crown, releasing aromas of toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, vanilla and oak. The palate unfolds layers of roasted malt, bittersweet cocoa, espresso and toffee, woven with bourbon-soaked nuttiness and a whisper of dried fruit. Oak tannins lend structure while soft vanilla rounds the edges, leading to a long, warming finish where alcohol gently lingers alongside praline and char.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless chocolate-hazelnut torte or Nutella semifreddo to mirror the beer’s nutty, cocoa-rich core. For a savory match, try aged Gruyère or a slab of seared foie gras on toasted brioche, where the bourbon barrel character and roasted depth cut through richness beautifully.

About Puhaste Brewery

Puhaste Brewery was established in 2011 in Tartu, Estonia’s second-largest city and historic university town. Founded by a group of home-brewing enthusiasts, the brewery has grown into one of the Baltic region’s most innovative craft beer producers, earning recognition far beyond Estonia’s borders. Puhaste, which translates to “pure” in Estonian, reflects the brewery’s commitment to quality ingredients and experimental brewing techniques that push traditional boundaries while respecting beer craftsmanship.

The brewery has become particularly renowned for its bold approach to modern beer styles, with a notable focus on heavily hopped IPAs, pastry stouts, and barrel-aged creations. Puhaste demonstrates particular expertise in brewing fruit-forward sour beers and richly layered imperial stouts that often incorporate unconventional ingredients like coffee, vanilla, and chocolate. Their willingness to experiment with adjuncts and aging processes has positioned them as pioneers in the Nordic and Baltic craft beer scene. The brewery’s small-batch releases frequently generate significant interest among craft beer enthusiasts across Europe, establishing Puhaste as a destination brewery that exemplifies the creative spirit of contemporary Estonian brewing culture.