Ölbeat 335 (BC17 #22): Põhjala Odravein 2016

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Barley Wine
Abv: 12 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is dark brown with a small natural white head. Aroma has chocolate, peanut butter and caramel. Taste starts with sweet fruity and malty alcohol. Bittersweet raisin and malty caramel take over with boozy coffee and chocolate. Towards the end fruity and malty bitter alcohol gets in front. Aftertaste has strongly bitter raisin-boozy bite followed by malty and fruity dryness.

Sweet and strong Barley Wine. The power of alcohol is pretty much unleashed, but it's fruity and malty with caramel, coffee and chocolate at the same time. Like barrel-aged brew but without aging in the barrel, Põhjala hits the right spot once again.

Ölbeat

Power and aggression but in the same time beauty and sensibility. So it's time for neoclassical metal by the master of the style.

Yngwie Malmsteen: Rising Force (YouTube)

From the 1988 album Odyssey, the song was written by Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner.

Ölbeat 324 (BC17 #11): Põhjala Cellar Series: Öö XO

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Baltic Porter
Abv: 11,5 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with a finger-thick beige head. Aroma has fruity liquor, chocolate and sweet roasted malts. Taste begins with sweet fruity boozy bite. Syrupy roasted malts, sweet espresso and dark chocolate take over with fruity alcohol coating. Towards the end fruity and boozy warmth of cognac is released against bittersweet chocolate. Aftertaste has sweet dark fruits, dark chocolate and smooth liquor warmth.

Really rich and fabulous barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Fruity biting cognac flavours really enhance the sweet roast and chocolate of the original Öö. Delicious aftertaste seems to linger around and warm the mouth endlessly. From any other brewery this would be a superb surprise, but from Põhjala this adds to the continuum of solid dark brews.

Ölbeat

"Under his spell / Blinding my eyes / Twisting my mind / Fight to resist the evil inside." Ok, that's Satan alright. Someone would call it sacrilege to combine a strong and beautiful dark beer with a thrash metal classic. Well, I think it's pretty devilish to brew this kind of barrel-aged stuff again and again.

Slayer: Black Magic (YouTube)

From the 1983 album Show No Mercy, the song was written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King.

Ölbeat 303: Põhjala Cellar Series: Pime Öö Islay BA

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Imperial Stout
Abv: 13,6 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with no visible head - just thin beige halo. Aroma has syrupy malts, sweet roast and fruity booze. Taste begins with sweet boozy roast. Sweet chocolate roast and peaty-smoky booze take over with dark fruits and malts lingering in the background. Towards the end strongly sweet peaty malts and boozy dark grapes step on top of bitter whisky smoke. Aftertaste has sweet booze-soaked raisins, malty chocolate and spicy alcohol.

Sweet, boozy and smoky Imperial Stout. The Islay whisky comes out as recognizable peaty smoke and alcohol that wraps around malty sweet roast and fruity flavours of the basic brew nicely. Really slow, complex and extremely enjoyable Imp. Aging could round the sweet and boozy edges a bit, but nevertheless this is powerfully beautiful show from Põhjala again. Had this at Kaisla, Helsinki, since didn't have the patience to wait it to hit the monopoly selection (if it ever actually does...).

Ölbeat

The song has probably no other similarities with the beer except the darkness. This is one song that just had to be connected with a strong black "drownable" brew:"We build cathedrals to our pain / Establish monuments to attain / Freedom from all of the scars and the sins / Lest we drown in the darkness within." I think this one fits the description.

Machine Head: Darkness Within (YouTube)

From the 2011 album Unto the Locust, the song was written by Robert Flynn, Phil Demmel and Dave McClain.

Ölbeat 299: Põhjala Cellar Series - Taara Avita!

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Imperial Stout
Abv: 10,8 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with a tiny diminishing beige crown. Aroma has sweet roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and booze. Taste begins with syrupy malty roast. Syrupy roast and sweet rye-bready malts take over with gentle bitterness. Towards the end syrup-sweet malts and roasty bitterness are accompanied by fruity sugary booze warmth. Aftertaste has sweet rye-bready malts, bitter roast and warming alcohol.

Excellent rum barrel-aged Baltic Porter. Sweet roast comes in front, rum and malts follow. I've actually tasted this great beer couple of times before it was ready to be reviewed the blog. But still it's always nice to yell war cries with Estonian gods of dark brews a.k.a. brewmasters of Põhjala brewery.

Ölbeat

The brew is named after an ancient Estonian war cry - or prayer, since avita! means 'help!' - addressed to Taara, the Estonian god of war. Asking any god for help was a good enough reason to pair the beer with this song. And because the brew is black as the night(mare), there should be no place for objections. 

Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath (YouTube)

From the 1970 album Black Sabbath, the song was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne.

Ölbeat 295: Põhjala Must Kuld Colombia

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Porter
Abv: 7,8 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with a large beige head. Aroma has strongly charred roast, espresso and cocoa. Taste begins with sweet and bitter roasted malts. Charcoaly malts and sweetish espresso take over with bitter dark chocolate. Towards the end sweet espresso roast and dark chocolate bitterness get on top with coffee taking the upper hand in the end. Aftertaste has malty coffee, bittersweet chocolate and dry roast.

Excellent roasted Porter with Colombian coffee. Deep charcoal roast builds a solid base for espresso and dark chocolate. Growing bitterness fits in the picture, too. Great amplified version of the excellent basic brew.

Ölbeat

Every song with a reference to coffee seemed to be too light for this one. Both in colour and in flavour everything light seems to be stolen away from the brew. And there came the idea.

Triosphere: Steal Away The Light (YouTube)

From the 2014 album The Heart of the Matter, the song was written by Ida Haukland and Marius Silver Bergensen.

Ölbeat 244: Põhjala Mel Gibson

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Scotch Ale
Abv: 12,2 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is dark coffee brown with a tiny tan crown. Aroma has chocolate, caramel, vanilla and liquor. Taste begins with strong booze-coated caramel malts. Vanillaish caramel and sweet milk chocolate take over with spicy-oaky liquor and hints of coffee and smoke. Towards the end both coffee and sweet liquor strike through with some bitterness lingering in the back. Aftertaste has sweet fruits, mocca chocolate and spicy alcohol.

Multigrain (barley, oats, wheat and rye malts used) Scotch Ale aged in Highland and Islay whisky barrels. Result is a strong and delicious hour-sipper. Sweet chocolate and caramel come out beautifully under the whisky coating. Spices and bitterness are also present. Barrel-aging seems to be Pôhjala's favorite art.

Ölbeat

Why would anyone name a Scotch Ale after an Australian actor? Since there has to be a reason, we have to look at the actor's filmography. Mad Max? No. Lethal Weapon? No. How about directing The Passion of the Christ? Jesus. No. The only logical answer has to be his most awarded film to date: Braveheart. This Gaelic folk song named after the movie was supposed to be the film's theme song, but was dropped out of the soundtrack for some reason or another.

Clannad: Croí Cróga (YouTube)

From the 1996 album Lore, the song was written by Ciarán Brennan.

Ölbeat 225: Põhjala Porridge Bullet

Brewery: Põhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: American Strong Ale
Abv: 11,9 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is dark bro... actually black with a tiny beige head. Aroma has chocolate, sweet malts, coffee and bourbon - a delicious scent, indeed. Taste begins with aggressive fruity sweetness. Sweet chocolate malts and fruity bitterness start the party. Soon spicy bourbon and fruity brandy barrels - just guessing - take over as fine and rich, complex and growing flavour. Aftertaste has sweet dark fruits and spicy vanillaish alcohol... and lasts unbelievably long.

Incredible. Amazing. How can a beer taste this great and versatile. Every sip is a symphony. Beautifully barrel-aged Strong Ale. Don't know their trick but Pôhjala seem to master the business of barrel-aged strong beers.

Ölbeat

"Porridge" in the name probably comes from multigrain malts used. "Bullet" part should be explained with the deep hit the brew makes to the drinker. This classic rock song from the Prince of Darkness got picked for the beer immediately.

Ozzy Osbourne: Shot in the Dark (Vimeo)

From the 1986 album The Ultimate Sin, the song was written by Ozzy Osbourne and Phil Soussan.

Ölbeat 204: Pôhjala Mets Black Forest IPA

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: India Black Ale 
Abv: 7 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with a huge foamy beige head. Aroma has sweet mango juice, roast and coffee. Taste starts with bitter strong roast. Heavy piny roast and striking bitter grapefruit take over with some sweet tropical fruits in the background. Towards the end piny citrus bitterness and dry salty liquorice get on top. Aftertaste has dry roast and piny bitter grapefruit

Strong-flavoured India Black Ale. Heavy dry roast meets grapefruit bitterbomb. Delicious dark brew from Põhjala once again.

Ölbeat

I associate black forest strongly to darkness in a sad but calming sense. This brew needs to paired with a powerful but peaceful song. "Darkness cover me / Deny everything". That says it. 

Disturbed: Darkness (YouTube)

From the 2003 album Believe, the song was written by Disturbed.

Ölbeat 160: Pôhjala Jôuluöö

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: Imperial Porter
Abv: 8 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with a small beige head. Aroma has roasted malts, sweet chocolate and vanilla. Taste starts with sweet and bitter black coffee. Deliciously soft amd sweet coffee with chocolate, vanilla and bitter roast takes over. Near the finish chocolate sweetness, vanilla spice and oaky flavour rise above other flavours. Aftertaste has sweet mocca, dark chocolate and bitter roast.

Couldn't be happier about the fact that the actual Christmas spices are not present in this great seasonal brew. Vanilla, cocoa and oak really spice the Imperial Porter up amazingly. Real treat that'll be on my glass during the winter again.

Ölbeat

Even though it's hard for me to accept that this is an actual seasonal brew, I'll have to respect the beer's name. Of course it's a choice between Silent Night (in Finnish: Jouluyö, juhlayö) and O Holy Night (in Finnish: Oi Jouluyö). In the end, it's the timeless, soft voice of the performer that makes the latter the preferable one.  

By the way: Merry Christmas, everyone! Ölmönger's off to the holidays for a while. Will be back after the Boxing Day. 

Nat King Cole: O Holy Night (YouTube)

From the 1960 album The Magic of Christmas, the song was composed by Adolphe Adam and the English lyrics were written by John Sullivan Dwight.

Ölbeat 088: Põhjala Pime Öö

Brewery: Pôhjala 
Country: Estonia
Style: Imperial Stout
Abv: 13,6 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with small vanishing beige head. Aroma has sweet roasted malts, delicious coffee and a soft scent of alcohol. Taste brings very sweet coffee with gentle hoppy bite and gentle roast on stage first. Sweetness dominates heavily but doesn't cover delicious and intense flavours of black coffee, dark chocolate, sugar-roasted malts and even raisins and sweet cherries. Towards the end cocoa liquor blankets the other flavours. Aftertaste has sweet alcohol warmth and bitterness with roasted coffee.

Excellent dessert Imperial Stout for sweet-toothed people - I seem to be one. The sweetness doesn't hide the rich and complex flavours of coffee, malts, cocoa and berries. I'm usually not a big fan of sugar coated brews but this one tricked me. The guys at Pôhjala brewery really master the dark side of beer.

Ölbeat

The dark night (translation of Pime Öö) as a theme probably offers many great songs. This metal classic was the one in mind already for the first Ölbeat, but wasn't eventually chosen. In my opinion, it matches with this complex brew better: 

Black Sabbath: Hole in the Sky (YouTube)

From the 1975 album Sabotage, the song was written by Black Sabbath (Butler, Iommi, Osbourne & Ward).

Ölbeat 080: Pôhjala Pesakond

Brewery: Pôhjala
Country: Estonia
Style: India Black Ale
Abv: 5,4 %
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What about the beer?

Colour is black with medium light beige head. Aroma has roasted malts, hops and a twist of lemon. Taste begins with sharp roasty and carbonated bite. Roasted bitter grapefruit dominates with some blueberry and herb flavour on the side. Towards the end we get hints of pine. Aftertaste is dry, roasted and bitter.

Enjoyable Iindia Black Ale with heavy roast domination. Blueberry, grapefruit and hoppy bitterness support the wholeness. Sharp but smooth and tasty stuff from the Estonians again. Named after an Estonian cartoon, the brew fits the brewery standards.

Ölbeat

Black colour and the theme with forest and blueberries sent me searching for nature-related symphonic metal, preferably with a female vocalist. Not settling for the obvious choice (Within Temptation) I found this cover from this now-disbanded Brazilian band. Don't know if anything is left from the original theme, but I think the song fits to the beer's landscape nicely:

Hydria: Queen of Rain (YouTube)

From the 2010 album Poison Paradise, the song was written by Mats Persson and Per Gessle (originally performed by Roxette).

Ölbeat 058: Pôhjala Öö

'Brewery: Pôhjala 
Country: Estonia
Style: Imperial Baltic Porter
Abv: 10,5 %
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Estonian version of the night

What about the beer?
Colour is intense black with tiny beige crown. Aroma has black coffee, sweet roasted malts and chocolate. Taste begins with sweet roasted malts and slight bitterness. Coffee joins the party right after the start. Near the finish we get a roasted hoppy bite, more coffee and dark chocolate. Aftertaste has bitter sweetness and roasted malts.

Absolutely beautiful beer. Sweet roasted malts with delicious coffee and chocolate flavours, not forgetting the smooth hoppy bitterness in start and finish. Superb Imperial/Baltic Porter as they should always be.

Ölbeat

The beer is named the night, it is black and has dark flavours. So we pick a song with a theme and the feeling beyond sunset:

Deep Purple: Black Night (YouTube)

Originally released as a single in 1970, the song was written by Deep Purple.

Ölbeat 045: Põhjala Must Kuld

Brewery: Põhjala 
Country: Estonia
Style: Porter
Abv: 7,8 %
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Estonian oil - rich stuff

What about the beer?
Colour is black with medium beige head. Aroma has heavily roasted coffee and burned wood. Taste begins with honeyed black coffee. Dark chocolate and roasted malts get on the train from the next station. Near the finish we get bitter and salty flavours. Aftertaste is bitter-sweet with burned malts.

This version of crude oil is a slow-sip pleasure. Mouthfeel is smooth and silky. Excellent porter with coffee, chocolate and roasted malt domination, supported by sweet, bitter and salty flavours.

Ölbeat

It was the name of the brew that made me choose this song. Well, the rough Australian protest rock classic fits the mood of Must Kuld:

Midnight Oil: Beds Are Burning (YouTube)

From the 1987 album Diesel and Dust, the song was written by band members Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie and Peter Garrett.

Ölbeat 041: Pôhjala Virmalised

Brewery: Pôhjala 
Country: Estonia
Style: India Pale Ale
Abv: 6,5 %
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Northern Lights from Estonia

What about the beer?
Colour is cloudy thick orange with smallish natural white head, which thins down quick. Aroma has fresh orange and mango with thin grassiness. Taste gives bitter hops and grapefruit in first bite. Sourness of lemon and grapefruit take over in the flavour. Towards the finish we get lemon, hops and pine, and even some hints of orange. Aftertaste is nicely dry and bitter.

Overall this one is a very enjoyable, powerful and coherent India Pale Ale. Strong fruity aroma and fresh citrus flavours are accompanied by decently heavy hops. Solid performance from the awarded quality brewery.

Ölbeat

Fresh and fruity brew asks for an energetic pop song. Since 'virmalised' means the Northern Lights in Estonian, there had to be some connection with the name. Well, had to drop the cold direction here:

Ellie Goulding: Lights (YouTube)

From the 2010 album Lights (bonus track & single from 2011 re-release Bright Lights), the song was written by Ellie Goulding, Richard Stannard and Ash Howes.