An essential companion in the summer heat and the perfect match for certain meals (pizza and beer—what could be better?), beer is one of Italy’s favorite beverages. With countless varieties, flavors, and strengths, there's a beer for everyone—an entire world waiting to be explored.
For beer enthusiasts, sampling local brews is a must-do to truly experience a region. It’s a way to immerse yourself in the local flavors and understand how traditions shape a product that embodies the community’s identity. That’s why we’re dedicating this article to beer: we’ll introduce you to Italian beers (and some international ones) and highlight which ones you can taste on our trips—from craft beers to international favorites, including the most famous regional beers of Italy.
Here are some craft breweries you can sample during our trips:
- Birra dell'Eremo – Assisi (PG)
Birra dell'Eremo was founded in 2012 in Capodacqua, a hamlet of Assisi, by Enrico Ciani and his wife Geltrude Salvatori Franchi. The name of the brewery is inspired by the Eremo delle Carceri, a place of meditation and spiritual retreat loved by Francis of Assisi and his followers, located on the slopes of Mount Subasio.
Recommended beers:
Glaciale – Style: Imperial / Double IPA
Onnetempo – Style: Sour / Wild Ale
Nobile – Style: Golden Ale
Recommended trip for tasting: The Way of St. Francis, from Assisi to Spoleto
- Birra San Gimignano - Barberino Tavarnelle (FI)
Recommended beers:
Sigeric di Canterbury – Style: Blonde Ale
Nikulas di Munkathvera – Style: Tripel
Errante – Style: Blanche
Recommended trip for tasting: The Heart of the Tuscan Via Francigena
- Ritual Lab – Formello (RM)
Ritual Lab began as a workshop in 2011 in Formello, near Rome, by Roberto and Giovanni Faenza, a father and son duo passionate about brewing, initially assisted by master brewer Emilio Maddalozzo. They started as a Beer Firm, but four years later opened the actual brewery.
Recommended beers:
Black Belt – Style: Oatmeal Stout
Headspace – Style: Modern Pale Ale
Papanero – Style: Imperial Stout
Recommended trip for tasting: The Via Francigena, from Viterbo to Rome
- Birrificio B94 – Lecce (LE)
Birrificio B94 was born in 2008 from Raffaele Longo’s passion for brewing, which began in 1994 (hence the name) on an amateur level. Initially, B94 operated as a beer firm, but this changed in 2010 with the purchase of their own brewing equipment.
Recommended beers:
Santirene – Style: Strong Ale / Tripel
November Ray – Style: English Pale Ale
Dellacava – Style: Blanche
Recommended trip for tasting: The Salento Coast Path
Over the years, various commercial beer labels have become synonymous with quality and, most importantly, with the regions where they are produced. These beers are not just drinks; their flavors and the stories they tell have a strong regional identity. While they can be enjoyed anywhere, tasting them in their home region gives them a whole new dimension!
Ichnusa:
A favorite among many Italians, Ichnusa beer hails from Sardinia. Its name comes from the ancient Greek name for the island, "ichnussa," which means "footprint," due to the shape of its coastline resembling a footprint.
Ichnusa was first brewed in Cagliari in the early 1900s. Although it has since become part of the Heineken group, it remains deeply rooted in its identity and tradition.
You can try it in various forms—from the standard to the unfiltered, Cruda to Ambra Limpida.
Recommended trip for tasting: The Coastal Path of Sardinia
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Birra Menabrea:
Birra Menabrea deserves special recognition for its strong connection to its region. The historic headquarters and brewery are located in Biella, Piedmont, and have been run by the Menabrea family for five generations since 1846, making it the oldest active brewery in Italy.
Its unique taste is due in part to the water from the Biella Alps, as well as the hops, malt, and yeast carefully selected by the master brewers. It’s a classic that continues to evolve.
Recommended trip for tasting: The Oropa Trail
Birra Raffo
Birra Raffo proudly calls itself "decisively Apulian," and its strong connection to Taranto, where it was born, and to Apulia in general, is evident and ever-present. This is clear from its label, which features the city’s symbol and the red and blue colors representing the sun and sea, key elements of the "city of two seas." Raffo is also a sponsor of the local soccer team, maintaining its strong regional ties despite its broader reach.
It’s available in the original version and the Grezza (unfiltered) version.
Recommended trip for tasting: All our trips in Puglia
Trappist Beers
Trappist beer is brewed under the strict supervision of Trappist monks in eleven monasteries worldwide. While access to these places is restricted, you can enjoy their delicious beer in local village bars, perhaps while hearing secrets and details of the brewing process from proud locals.
Recommended trip for tasting: The Flemish Beer Route
They hardly need an introduction—they are among the most well-known and loved, in Europe and beyond. The most iconic of all is Guinness, the stout brewed in Dublin, the world's most famous "black" beer, with its signature creamy white foam. Today, it’s available in numerous varieties, including lighter options.
Recommended trip for tasting: Coming soon—stay tuned and get ready for our new destination, Ireland!
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Scritto da Lorenzo |
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