Kattegat! It’s a real place, did you know that? Of course you did. Sure, it’s the place where everybody on TVs “Vikings” show lives, but being on the History channel means it’s based in some fact. So then, Kattegat, a sea between Denmark and Sweden, and a place that now has a beer named for it here in Georgia: Kattegat Baltic Porter by the Eventide Brewing Company.
I was curious, though, what Kattegat had to do with Baltic Porter, so I hopped on over to Wikipedia and found that the Baltic sea empties into Kattegat, and “Until the completion of the Eider Canal in 1784, the Kattegat was the only water route into and out of the Baltic region.” That would have been about the time that England began exporting imperial stouts to Russia, which inspired bottom fermented, strong Baltic porters in the area. I’m thinking, though, that when you drink it Eventide assumes you will be thinking of Vikings.
From the brewery website:
Winter is fast approaching….With this change comes a new Eventide seasonal: Kattegat Baltic Porter.
In keeping with our brand focus, we are introducing a traditional and approachable style that many have not yet had the chance to sample or appreciate. Much like the Kattegat, this beer will open an avenue previously unknown or rarely tread by the average beer drinker. We’ve employed this strategy in the past with our Kölsch Style Ale, and we plan to continue this “bridge to craft” approach with future offerings.
Seriously Eventide? Baltic Porters are not that hard to find, if you look. I’ve been drinking them since the late 80s in fact, both imported versions and domestic examples. Zywiec Porter and Okocim Porter are two wonderful Polish examples, Utenos Porter a tasty truly Baltic Lithuanian version, and fine domestic examples going back many years are Smuttynose Baltic Porter and Duck Rabbit Baltic Porter.
Eventide Kattegat Baltic Porter has an alcohol content of 7% by volume with 27 IBUs. I paid $7 for an 11-ounce glass, on the high side. I don’t know if it is bottom fermented but it was clean in palate.
Eventide Kattegat Baltic Porter pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and plenty of roast and chocolate in the nose. Taking a sip, I get more roast, chocolate and then some coffee in the clean palate, with a roasty bitter finish and a hint of alcohol warmth.
Vikings never drank Baltic Porter, but I love the name especially since I am now part Viking, as I recently found out. After a sip of Eventide Kattegat Baltic Porter, I feel more Viking than ever. Try it, and see if you don’t, too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft