Pohjala

Four Estonian homebrewing enthusiasts established the brewery at the end of 2011, and Põhjala became a founding member of the Estonian Small Brewers Association from the outset. In 2013 the team was joined by Scottish head brewer Chris Pilkington, previously of BrewDog. In late 2018, Põhjala moved to the historic Noblessner shipyard district on the North Tallinn waterfront, a site it still occupies today, and now operates what it describes as the largest craft beer taproom in the Baltic states, with 24 taps serving both Põhjala and guest beers.

The core range built the brewery's international reputation on dark, heritage-inspired Baltic porters and the Cellar Series of barrel-aged releases. The AF lineup takes a different path from most breweries entering the no-alcohol space: rather than brewing beer to full strength and removing the alcohol afterwards, Põhjala uses a specialised yeast strain that produces very little alcohol during fermentation. Dealcoholisation, the more common alternative in which a fully brewed beer has its alcohol extracted after the fact, is explicitly not the method here. The brewery documents the yeast-led approach as the defining technique for its AF range, first applied in 2019 to the debut AF beer. The portfolio has since expanded to cover lagers, sour beers, fruit-forward goses, and a sub-range positioned specifically for fitness-focused drinkers seeking a post-exercise option.

Põhjala exports to over 30 countries worldwide. The AF range is available through specialist alcohol-free retailers, sitting in the premium bracket. The yeast-led production method and the brewery's track record in complex, characterful styles give the AF line a more considered foundation than typical dealcoholised beers.