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Finnish alcohol law changed and allows sale of sahti at normal grocery stores.
 
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{{short description|Finnish beer}}
{{short description|Finnish beer}}
{{external links|date=July 2019}}
{{external links|date=July 2019}}
[[Image:Finlandia sahti.jpg|thumb|Finlandia Sahti, a [[Finland|Finnish]] sahti brand]]
[[File:Lammin sahtia.JPG|thumb|Lammin Sahti, a [[Finland|Finnish]] sahti brand]]


⚫
'''Sahti''' is a Finnish type of [[farmhouse ale]] made from [[malt]]ed and unmalted [[cereal|grain]]s including [[barley]] and [[rye]]. Traditionally the beer is flavored with [[juniper]] in addition to, or instead of, [[hops]];<ref name="ovell">[http://www.posbeer.org/julkaisut/cf01.pdf Peter Ovell, "Finland's Indigenous Beer Culture." Perinteisen Oluen Seura, Special Publications No 1, 1996. Helsinki.] (accessed 2017-11-21)</ref> the mash is filtered through juniper twigs into a trough-shaped tun, called a ''kuurna'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]]. Sahti is [[Top fermentation|top-fermented]] and many have a banana flavor due to [[isoamyl acetate]] from the use of baking yeast, although [[Saccharomyces cerevisiae#Brewing|ale yeast]] may also be used in fermenting.
'''Sahti''' is a [[Beer in Finland|Finnish


⚫
The end product is a cloudy beer with [[phenol]]ic flavors and a distinct taste similar to [[banana]], balanced by the bitterness from the juniper branches. The carbonation level tends to be very low. Sahti was traditionally brewed as a [[farmhouse ale]],<ref name="rasanen"/> but commercial versions are now available. Commercial sahti is usually 8% [[Alcohol by volume|ABV]]. Sahti has to be stored cold until consumption and is therefore not available in all stores.
⚫
beer]] made from [[malt]]ed and unmalted [[cereal|grain]]s including [[barley]], [[rye]] and [[oat]]s. Traditionally the beer is flavored with [[juniper]] in addition to, or instead of, [[hops]];<ref name="ovell">[http://www.posbeer.org/julkaisut/cf01.pdf Peter Ovell, "Finland's Indigenous Beer Culture." Perinteisen Oluen Seura, Special Publications No 1, 1996. Helsinki.] (accessed 2017-11-21)</ref> the mash is filtered through juniper twigs into a trough-shaped tun, called a ''kuurna'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]]. Sahti is [[Top fermentation|top-fermented]] and many have a banana flavor due to [[isoamyl acetate]] from the use of baking yeast, although [[Saccharomyces cerevisiae#Brewing|ale yeast]] may also be used in fermenting.


⚫
Within Finland, sahti has differing characteristics depending on which part of the country it is from. It is often known as [[Tavastia (historical province)|Tavastian]] beer from [[Häme Province|Häme]] (well-known ''sahti'' areas, such as [[Sysmä]], [[Joutsa]], [[Kuhmoinen]] and [[Lammi]], are in Häme) but it is also made in [[Southwest Finland|Finland Proper]] and some parts of [[Central Finland]]. Every year the Finnish sahti brewing championship is held on the first weekend in August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sahti.org/smkilpailu.htm |title=Sahtiverkko - SM-kilpailu |website=Sahti.org |date=2019-03-08 |accessdate=2019-07-06 |archive-date=2018-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707115104/http://www.sahti.org/smkilpailu.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
The end product is a cloudy beer with [[phenol]]ic flavors and a distinct taste similar to [[banana]], balanced by the bitterness from the juniper branches. The carbonation level tends to be very low. Sahti was traditionally brewed as a [[farmhouse ale]],<ref name="rasanen"/> but commercial versions are now available. Commercial sahti is usually 8% [[Alcohol by volume|ABV]]. In Finland, due to the higher percentage of alcohol in sahti, it is only sold in commercial sahti breweries, pubs or state-owned [[Alko]] stores, not in regular markets or grocery stores. Sahti has to be stored cold until consumption and is therefore not available in all Alko branches.

== Finnish sahti ==
⚫
Within Finland, sahti has differing characteristics depending on which part of the country it is from. It is often known as [[Tavastia (historical province)|Tavastian]] beer from [[Häme Province|Häme]] (well-known ''sahti'' areas, such as [[Sysmä]], [[Joutsa]], [[Kuhmoinen]] and [[Lammi]], are in Häme) but it is also made in [[Southwest Finland|Finland Proper]] and some parts of [[Central Finland]]. A farmhouse ale that in some cases is similar is brewed on the [[Sweden|Swedish]] island of [[Gotland]] (known as [[Gotlandsdricka]]). An even closer relative in terms of flavour is a farmhouse ale known as "Koduõlu" or "Taluõlu", brewed on the [[Estonia]]n islands in the Baltic. Every year the Finnish sahti brewing championship is held on the first weekend in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahti.org/smkilpailu.htm |title=Sahtiverkko - SM-kilpailu |website=Sahti.org |date=2019-03-08 |accessdate=2019-07-06}}</ref>

== Sahti in other countries ==
Finnish sahti has [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|Protected Geographical Status]] in Europe.<ref name="DOORTSG">[http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/registeredName.html?denominationId=629 EU Profile-Sahti] (accessed 07/06/2009)</ref> In the United States, sahti has been the subject of recent interest by homebrewers and microbreweries; in 2008, [[Dogfish Head Brewery]] released a beer called ''Sah'tea'', a collaboration with Finnish brewer Juha Ikonen, that was supposedly a hybrid of traditional ''Sahti'' and Chai tea.<ref name="newyorker">[http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/11/24/081124fa_fact_bilger?currentPage=all Burkhard Bilger, "A Better Brew." The New Yorker. November 24, 2008] (accessed 01/27/09)</ref> [[New Belgium Brewing Company]] of Colorado is now also brewing a beer they describe as sahti.<ref name="New Belgium Brewing">{{cite web|url=http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=b3fe1756-9dcf-4e2a-97d0-37542800aa09|title=Sahti Ale - New Belgium Brewing|work=newbelgium.com}}</ref> [[Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)|Samuel Adams]] also claims to brew a Sahti called "Norse Legend", and [[Off Color Brewing]] from Chicago has recently begun producing a sahti called "Bare Bear". Parallel 49 in Vancouver, BC released their "Sahti Claus" for Winter 2013. The Elysian Brewing Co. in Seattle, WA has produced a Sahti-style beer with an addition of pumpkin named "Kurpitsahti" or pumpkin sahti, for their Great Pumpkin Beer Festival. It has been brewed by Polish brewery Pinta under the name "Koniec Świata", which means "The End of the World".

Modern craft beer versions of sahti can be somewhat removed from the original style, because brewers may use more hops, might not use juniper twigs, could introduce more carbonation, boil the wort, and may not use Finnish baking yeast.


== Brewing process ==
== Brewing process ==
Traditionally, the most common ''sahti'' brewing process is using a long [[Mashing#Infusion mashing|step infusion mash]] that may last up to six hours, after which the wort is [[Lautering|lauter]]ed through the ''kuurna''. Unlike most beers, traditional sahti wort goes straight from the lauter tun to the fermenter without boiling. This increases the chances of infection by lactic bacteria somewhat, and the very low usage of hops also tends to make it keep poorly.
Traditionally, the most common ''sahti'' brewing process is using a long [[Mashing#Infusion mashing|step infusion mash]] that may last up to six hours, after which the wort is [[Lautering|lauter]]ed through the ''kuurna''. Unlike most beers, traditional sahti wort goes straight from the lauter tun to the fermenter without boiling.


However, this is only one of several brewing processes that have traditionally been used. Sahti has also been brewed as a stone beer, with infusion mashing, with variants of decoction mashing, by boiling the mash in the kettle, and so on. Some regions of Finland have called their farmhouse ale ''taari'', and in these areas different brewing processes appear to have been used, such as fermenting in the mash, and baking the wet malts in bread-like shapes before lautering.<ref name="rasanen">Matti Räsänen, "Vom Halm zum Faß." Kansatieteellinen arkisto, Helsinki, 1975. {{ISBN|9519056181}}.</ref>
However, this is only one of several brewing processes that have traditionally been used. Sahti has also been brewed as a stone beer, with infusion mashing, with variants of decoction mashing, by boiling the mash in the kettle, and so on. Some regions of Finland have called their farmhouse ale ''taari'', and in these areas different brewing processes appear to have been used, such as fermenting in the mash, and baking the wet malts in bread-like shapes before lautering.<ref name="rasanen">Matti Räsänen, "Vom Halm zum Faß." Kansatieteellinen arkisto, Helsinki, 1975. {{ISBN|9519056181}}.</ref>


== Commercial sahti brands ==
== Commercial sahti brands ==

=== Finnish ===
* Kellarin Varastopanimo Joutsa: Varastopanimon Sahti
* [[Panimoravintola Beer Hunter's]]: Mufloni Sahti (from [[Pori]])
* [[Panimoravintola Beer Hunter's]]: Mufloni Sahti (from [[Pori]])
* Finlandia Sahti and [http://www.finlandiasahti.fi/ Finlandia Strong Sahti] (from [[Sastamala]])
* Finlandia Sahti and [http://www.finlandiasahti.fi/ Finlandia Strong Sahti] (from [[Sastamala]])
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* [http://www.sahti.fi Lammin Sahti] (from [[Lammi]])
* [http://www.sahti.fi Lammin Sahti] (from [[Lammi]])
* Tiinan Sahti (from [[Sysmä]])
* Tiinan Sahti (from [[Sysmä]])
* Stadin Panimo: Stadin Sahti (from [[Helsinki]])
* [[Stadin Panimo]]: Stadin Sahti (from [[Helsinki]])
* Olu Bryki Raum / Vanhan Rauman Panimo: Kullervo (Rauma)


=== Non-Finnish ===
== In other countries ==


A farmhouse ale that in some cases is similar is brewed on the [[Sweden|Swedish]] island of [[Gotland]] (known as [[Gotlandsdricka]]). An even closer relative in terms of flavour is a farmhouse ale known as ''koduõlu'' (lit. "home beer"), brewed on the [[Estonia]]n islands in the Baltic.
As the term 'Finnish Sahti' has protected geographical status, technically these companies must call their beverage simply Sahti or Finnish-Style Sahti. It is not clear if any of them actually resemble the original Finnish sahti beers.

⚫
In Estonia one commercial beer is sometimes described as "Estonian sahti", despite actually being an Estonian koduõlu:

⚫
* Pihtla Õlu from [[Pihtla õlleköök, Estonia]]

Finnish sahti has protected status in Europe.,<ref name="DOORTSG">[http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/registeredName.html?denominationId=629 EU Profile-Sahti] (accessed 07/06/2009)</ref> so that in order to be described as sahti a beer must be brewed following something close to the traditional process and ingredients.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/registeredName.html?denominationId=629|title=EAmbrosia}}</ref> Modern craft beer versions of sahti can be somewhat removed from the original style, because brewers may use more hops, might not use juniper twigs, could introduce more carbonation, boil the wort, and may not use Finnish baking yeast.

In many countries sahti has been the subject of recent interest by homebrewers and microbreweries who have brewed many takes on the style. It is not clear if any of them actually resemble the original Finnish sahti beers in any way, so in the EU most of these beers could not be marketed as sahti.

Other versions:


* Mad Scientist #19 from [[Sixpoint Brewery|Sixpoint Brewing]]
* Mad Scientist #19 from [[Sixpoint Brewery|Sixpoint Brewing]]
* [[Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)|Samuel Adams]]: Norse Legend sahti (from [[Boston]], Massachusetts, U.S.A.)
* [[Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)|Samuel Adams]]: Norse Legend sahti (from [[Boston]], Massachusetts, U.S.)
* [[Dogfish Head Brewery]]: Sah'tea (from Milton, Delaware, U.S.A.) made with masala chai and juniper berries
* [[Dogfish Head Brewery]]: Sah'tea (from Milton, Delaware, U.S.) made with masala chai and juniper berries
* Sahti Ale - [[New Belgium Brewing Company]] (from [[Fort Collins, Colorado]], U.S.A.)
* Sahti Ale - [[New Belgium Brewing Company]] (from [[Fort Collins, Colorado]], U.S.)
* Parallel 49 Brewing Company "Sahti Claws"
* Parallel 49 Brewing Company "Sahti Claws"
* Sahti - Gambling Man Brewing Company, UK (The first true Sahti to be commercially brewed in the UK)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cannybrew.com/news/local-news/gambling-man-brewery-sahti-beer/|title=Gambling Man brews Scandinavian-style hopless Sahti beer|last=Brown|first=Michael|date=2014-04-14|website=Canny Brew|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>
* Sahti - Gambling Man Brewing Company, UK (The first true Sahti to be commercially brewed in the UK)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cannybrew.com/news/local-news/gambling-man-brewery-sahti-beer/|title=Gambling Man brews Scandinavian-style hopless Sahti beer|last=Brown|first=Michael|date=2014-04-14|website=Canny Brew|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>
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* [http://www.browarpinta.pl/oferta/pinta-koniec-swiata-19-1,19.html Browar Pinta] - "Koniec Świata" (pol. "The End of The World, owes its name to the date of its release to the market, which was supposed to be the end of the world), polish attempt of brewing Sahti beer. Made with juniper berries and branches.
* [http://www.browarpinta.pl/oferta/pinta-koniec-swiata-19-1,19.html Browar Pinta] - "Koniec Świata" (pol. "The End of The World, owes its name to the date of its release to the market, which was supposed to be the end of the world), polish attempt of brewing Sahti beer. Made with juniper berries and branches.
* Bare Bear from [[Off Color Brewing]]
* Bare Bear from [[Off Color Brewing]]
* Kurpitsahti (Pumpkin Sahti) from [[Elysian Brewing Co.]]
* Sahti - Kiitos Brewing, Salt Lake City Utah
* Sahti - Kiitos Brewing, Salt Lake City Utah
* Ivar the Boneless - Proper Brewing, Salt Lake City Utah

* Löyly - HammerHeart Brewing Company, Lino Lakes Minnesota
⚫
In Estonia one commercial beer is sometimes described as "Estonian sahti", despite actually being an Estonian koduõlu:
* Ymir the Creator from [[High Ground Brewing]] in Terra Alta, WV

* Mānuka Sahti - Kererū Brewing, NZ
⚫
* Pihtla Õlu from [[Pihtla õlleköök, Estonia]]
* Bushcrafter Sahti - Prairie Pride Brewing in Grand Island, NE
* Sauna Brau - Turnagain Brewing in Anchorage, AK
* Finnish Line - Independent Brewing in Bel Air, MD
* Osmotar Sahti - from Stonyslope Brewing Company in Calgary, AB, Canada


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{portal|Beer}}


* [[Finnish cuisine#Beverages|Finnish beverages]]
* [[Finnish cuisine#Beverages|Finnish beverages]]


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{portal|Beer}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


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[[Category:Types of beer]]
[[Category:Types of beer]]
[[Category:Beer in Finland]]
[[Category:Beer in Finland]]
[[Category:Finnish products with protected designation of origin]]
[[Category:Traditional Speciality Guaranteed products from Finland]]

Latest revision as of 21:21, 2 December 2024

Lammin Sahti, a Finnish sahti brand

Sahti is a Finnish type of farmhouse ale made from malted and unmalted grains including barley and rye. Traditionally the beer is flavored with juniper in addition to, or instead of, hops;[1] the mash is filtered through juniper twigs into a trough-shaped tun, called a kuurna in Finnish. Sahti is top-fermented and many have a banana flavor due to isoamyl acetate from the use of baking yeast, although ale yeast may also be used in fermenting.

The end product is a cloudy beer with phenolic flavors and a distinct taste similar to banana, balanced by the bitterness from the juniper branches. The carbonation level tends to be very low. Sahti was traditionally brewed as a farmhouse ale,[2] but commercial versions are now available. Commercial sahti is usually 8% ABV. Sahti has to be stored cold until consumption and is therefore not available in all stores.

Within Finland, sahti has differing characteristics depending on which part of the country it is from. It is often known as Tavastian beer from Häme (well-known sahti areas, such as Sysmä, Joutsa, Kuhmoinen and Lammi, are in Häme) but it is also made in Finland Proper and some parts of Central Finland. Every year the Finnish sahti brewing championship is held on the first weekend in August.[3]

Brewing process

[edit]

Traditionally, the most common sahti brewing process is using a long step infusion mash that may last up to six hours, after which the wort is lautered through the kuurna. Unlike most beers, traditional sahti wort goes straight from the lauter tun to the fermenter without boiling.

However, this is only one of several brewing processes that have traditionally been used. Sahti has also been brewed as a stone beer, with infusion mashing, with variants of decoction mashing, by boiling the mash in the kettle, and so on. Some regions of Finland have called their farmhouse ale taari, and in these areas different brewing processes appear to have been used, such as fermenting in the mash, and baking the wet malts in bread-like shapes before lautering.[2]

Commercial sahti brands

[edit]

In other countries

[edit]

A farmhouse ale that in some cases is similar is brewed on the Swedish island of Gotland (known as Gotlandsdricka). An even closer relative in terms of flavour is a farmhouse ale known as koduõlu (lit. "home beer"), brewed on the Estonian islands in the Baltic.

In Estonia one commercial beer is sometimes described as "Estonian sahti", despite actually being an Estonian koduõlu:

Finnish sahti has protected status in Europe.,[4] so that in order to be described as sahti a beer must be brewed following something close to the traditional process and ingredients.[5] Modern craft beer versions of sahti can be somewhat removed from the original style, because brewers may use more hops, might not use juniper twigs, could introduce more carbonation, boil the wort, and may not use Finnish baking yeast.

In many countries sahti has been the subject of recent interest by homebrewers and microbreweries who have brewed many takes on the style. It is not clear if any of them actually resemble the original Finnish sahti beers in any way, so in the EU most of these beers could not be marketed as sahti.

Other versions:

  • Mad Scientist #19 from Sixpoint Brewing
  • Samuel Adams: Norse Legend sahti (from Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.)
  • Dogfish Head Brewery: Sah'tea (from Milton, Delaware, U.S.) made with masala chai and juniper berries
  • Sahti Ale - New Belgium Brewing Company (from Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.)
  • Parallel 49 Brewing Company "Sahti Claws"
  • Sahti - Gambling Man Brewing Company, UK (The first true Sahti to be commercially brewed in the UK)[6]
  • Ale Apothecary - "Sahati," a mixed fermentation ale lautered in a spruce kuurna with spruce branches
  • Browar Pinta - "Koniec Świata" (pol. "The End of The World, owes its name to the date of its release to the market, which was supposed to be the end of the world), polish attempt of brewing Sahti beer. Made with juniper berries and branches.
  • Bare Bear from Off Color Brewing
  • Sahti - Kiitos Brewing, Salt Lake City Utah
  • Ivar the Boneless - Proper Brewing, Salt Lake City Utah
  • Löyly - HammerHeart Brewing Company, Lino Lakes Minnesota
  • Ymir the Creator from High Ground Brewing in Terra Alta, WV
  • Mānuka Sahti - Kererū Brewing, NZ
  • Bushcrafter Sahti - Prairie Pride Brewing in Grand Island, NE
  • Sauna Brau - Turnagain Brewing in Anchorage, AK
  • Finnish Line - Independent Brewing in Bel Air, MD
  • Osmotar Sahti - from Stonyslope Brewing Company in Calgary, AB, Canada

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Peter Ovell, "Finland's Indigenous Beer Culture." Perinteisen Oluen Seura, Special Publications No 1, 1996. Helsinki. (accessed 2017-11-21)
  2. ^ a b Matti Räsänen, "Vom Halm zum Faß." Kansatieteellinen arkisto, Helsinki, 1975. ISBN 9519056181.
  3. ^ "Sahtiverkko - SM-kilpailu". Sahti.org. 2019-03-08. Archived from the original on 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  4. ^ EU Profile-Sahti (accessed 07/06/2009)
  5. ^ "EAmbrosia".
  6. ^ Brown, Michael (2014-04-14). "Gambling Man brews Scandinavian-style hopless Sahti beer". Canny Brew. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
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