Karjala Terva
Hartwall Helsinki Panimo

dball from Virginia

4.02/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had the privilege of trying Karjala Terva on a vacation day after it pleasantly arrived in a gift pack from Helsinki. A dear friend sent one bottle of this exotic pine tar ale along with a variety of goodies for the family.

I poured it in a goblet to experience it's complete uniqueness. The appearance is very nice. It poured with a nice one finger head and looks somewhat like a hefe weizen in a clear glass. The cloudy color is deep and has no transparency.

Upon a deep sniff the smoked style is apparent. One can also note quickly that it is not a wheat beer. If my friend had not pointed it out I would have been lost at this point. The beer is brewed with pine tar and that is the smell that carries.

The smoked flavor of this beer is present but not overwhelming. Among beer drinkers I think there truly might be only two kinds of people. Those that appreciate the smoked beer taste and those that do not. I appreciate it but must say it isn't something I'd run out to have poured on cask, from a draft or pick up in a four or six pack.

The Terva does however have a good mouthfeel and the smoked flavor is subtle enough to warrant a recommendation on giving this exotic beer an honest try.

Sep 21, 2011

baggio from Sweden

3.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[email protected] place.

A: Golden orange with a white head. No lacing.

S: Caramel, Tar, Malt.

T: Tar, Caramel, Smoked ham, Hint of fruity hops.

M: Body is thin and the smoke is very light. Quaffable.

A nice try but it lacks the body and more smoked malt to something to compete with its german counterparts.

Mar 30, 2011