Thursday, February 6, 2014

Harriet Juhla Bru Sahti


So, Harriet turns 3 years old, as the Cedar Cultural Center celebrates 25 years, they got together and threw a party for themselves. Why not brew a special beer for the occasion, and shouldn't it be a rarely seen, hardly-ever heard of Finnish-style, with Red Cedar twigs, tips and juniper? No reason why not. I'm fairly sure I've never had a sahti before. (Not true, I've had two, one from Dogfish Head, and one from a Finnish brewery.)


Cloudy, bright golden hue, minimal head.

Sweet, herbal nose. Lightly spicy and intriguing.

In the mouth, it's quite an interesting thing. A blast of sweetness soon turns to prickly spice before burning out bone dry. Light bodied. Crisp,  dry, and rather effortless at a mere 6% ABV. What does this remind me of? A hefe weizen without the wheat? A pilsner without the hops?

The spicy, earthy character keeps it interesting, and the clean, light body keeps me drinking. Malty is complex and compelling. And those twigs and tips …do they remind me that I wish they were hops? No, I'm cool with that.

Nice sahti.

Here's the gobbleydygook from the website: JUHLA BRÜ
Finnish–Style Sahti, brewed with Red Cedar twigs, tips, and juniper.

In honor of The Cedar’s 25th Anniversary we are releasing, Juhla Brü a Finnish-Style Sahti brewed with Red Cedar twigs, tips and juniper. We brewed this ale as traditionally as possible. 50 pounds of fruiting red cedar branches were added to the mash. Rye malt lends a crisp and spicy character that is enhanced and softened by multi-step and single – decoction mash. No hops are added, and the wort is fermented with Red Star fresh baking yeast, which allows a subtle tartness to take form. The result is a complex, malty, soft-spicy, earthy, and refreshing brew meant for celebration.

Limited Release – On tap at The Cedar & Winterfest on 1/31 and Harriet’s Taproom 2/1 – Only available at these locations till its gone!

Painting and Full Label Design unveiled in The Cedar’s Lobby at 6pm on 1/31.

ABV 6% - IBU 0

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