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Italy is a country known for its wine and its rich culinary heritage. Not so much for its beer. But all that’s changing big-time. The Italians have finally entered the world of craft beer brewing with a vengeance and they are more than making up for lost time!
Once an afterthought, craft beer is flourishing in Italy according to New.com.au. In 1996 there were only seven craft breweries in Italy and now there are more than 445 throughout the country and they are challenging wine’s dominance for the first time.
It appears that Italian brewers are quick learners, and with little, if any, roots in traditional brewing, they are charting their own path. Birra del Borgo, a small brewery located in the tiny town of Borgorose, is a perfect example.
The brewery, which opened in 2005, was one of Italy’s craft beer pioneers. It was founded by Leonardo di Vicenzo, a homebrewer and biologist who decided to turn his hobby into a business. Initial production was small, only 500 liters per cycle, but that changed quickly as the Italian people discovered craft beer.
Now the brewery’s capacity is up to 2500 liters – and they produce around 30 different types of beer each year. Many of their beers are wildly experimental – oyster, tobacco or watermelon ale anyone? Birra del Borgo likes to get creative.
The association of Italian brewers, Assobirra, released a report stating that 71 per cent of Italians now drink beer and that it is quickly catching up with wine.
The survey also revealed that 28.8 percent of respondents are claiming that beer is now their favorite drink compared to 37 per cent who prefer wine.
As in the states, craft beer in Italy commands a higher price tag – 0.75-litre bottle of “Birra del Borgo” sells for around 10 euros ($12). And, like in the states, Italian craft beer consumers appear to be more than willing to pay for fine craft beer.
Italian craft beer is making some headway in the states as well. 2 Amys, a Washington, DC-based restaurant known for their Neapolitan Pizza and its cutting-edge craft beers, has been serving Birra del Borgo’s “ReAle Extra” on draft for a while now. “It’s an American IPA – Saison hybrid,” explains 2 Amy’s Debbie Johnson, “It has become as popular as many of the American craft beers that we offer – people just love it.”
