BJCP 2021 / 27I
Historical Beer: Sahti
A strong, sweet, rustic Finnish farmhouse ale with juniper character.
- Drink fresh
- high strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- central europe
Serve: 50 to 56F, Mug or tankard
OG1.120
1.076 to 1.120FG1.030
1.016 to 1.038IBU120
0 to 15SRM40
4 to 22ABV14%
7.0 to 11.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Juniper, a resinous and herbal note
- Banana and clove from bread yeast
- Sweet malt and rye
- Vague
- Herbal
- Better
- Juniper, banana and sweet grain
- Best
- Moderate juniper and herbal resin with banana and clove, sweet malt and rye, warm alcohol
Appearance
3 pts- Amber to brown
- Hazy to cloudy
- Little head
- Vague
- Cloudy
- Better
- Hazy amber-brown
- Best
- Amber to brown, hazy to cloudy, little to no head
Flavor
20 pts- Sweet malty grain with rye
- Juniper spice and banana
- Very low bitterness, warming sweet finish
- Vague
- Sweet
- Better
- Sweet malt, juniper and warmth
- Best
- Moderate-high sweet malt and rye with juniper and banana, very low bitterness, warming sweet-leaning finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-full to full body
- Low carbonation
- Thick, warming
- Vague
- Thick
- Better
- Full body, low fizz
- Best
- Medium-full to full body, thick, warming, low carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Juniper balance
- Warmth that stays smooth
Drops it
- Hot alcohol
- Harsh tannin
- Sourness
Writing tip
Describe the juniper. Example: 'Resinous juniper with sweet malt and banana, warm and thick. Rustic and balanced.'
Pour these
- Lammin SahtiLammin SahtiSweet, juniper-forward and rustic
Often confused with
- 10C WeizenbockWeizenbock is hoppier and lacks juniper
- 26D Belgian Dark Strong AleBelgian Dark Strong has more complex fruit
Fine here
- Estery: Banana belongs
- Phenolic: A touch of clove is fine
- Alcoholic: Strong warmth fits
Ruinous here
- Sour/Acidic: Lactic or acetic sharpness beyond a trace
- Solvent: Hot fusels
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.