Fans of the foamy drink can easily name the countries that are primarily associated with it. This is Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Germany or Belgium . But the number of those who prefer Italian beer is also growing.
In 2017, more than 156 million deciliters of intoxicating drink were produced in Italy. That same year, every Italian drank 31.8 liters of beer. This is almost the same as in France , twice as much as in Israel and 2.5 times more than in Turkey.
A Brief History of Italian Beer
Beer appeared in Italy more than 27 centuries ago. It was brought to the islands of Sardinia and Sicily by the Phoenicians, who actively traded in these areas. The Romans produced beer in small quantities before the invasion of barbarian tribes. In Milan and Florence during the late Middle Ages – at the end of the 15th century – “barley wine” was known. That’s what they called beer in these cities.
Home brewing began to spread in the northern regions of Italy in the 16th century. The year 1840 became fateful. Then in Chiavenna, a small town in Lombardy, the first Italian brewery opened with the unusual name Spluga, which can be translated as “cave”. However, the championship was contested by the Austrian brewmaster F. S. Wührer. Much earlier, in 1829, he opened a small brewery in Brescia, a town also in Lombardy.
By the end of the 19th century, there were approximately 140 small breweries in Italy. Foam production grew steadily until 1927. Then a beer tax was passed. This led to a sharp reduction in consumption and production.
The 1970s marked the beginning of the spread of beer in a variety of establishments across the country (previously it was drunk only in pizzerias). 1996 and subsequent years saw a noticeable increase in the number of microbreweries. In 2017, there were 850 of them. More than 80% of this number are craft breweries, where they produce original craft beer according to their own recipes.
What are the features of Italian beer?
Regulars of restaurants and pizzerias note the slight bitterness of Italian beer and unusual pleasant aromas. It is produced by the method of alcoholic fermentation, which is well known in brewing. Malt is most often barley or wheat, less often from other grains. The ingredients for beer are a variety of natural raw materials:
- hops;
- spring water;
- fruits ;
- yeast;
- myrrh;
- pumpkin;
- ginger;
- cherries;
- chestnuts;
- beans.
When producing foam, Italian masters use the brewing traditions of Germany , Britain, Belgium, the Czech Republic and the USA. They boldly experiment with dosage and combination of ingredients. All this allows them to produce beer that cannot be confused with German, Czech or any other.One of the important features of local beer is the absence of preservatives. It is often bottled in 0.75 liter bottles.
Italian beers
The legislation of the republic has developed a special classification that takes into account not only the strength of the alcohol contained in the intoxicating drink, but also the platonic level (°P) – the percentage of sugar dissolved in the wort. Beer in Italy has the following categories:
- non-alcoholic – 1.2% (strength); 3.0-8.0° P (birra analcolica);
- светлое – 1.2-3.5%; 5.0-10.5° P (light beer);
- beer – more than 3.5%; over 10.5° P (birra);
- special – from 4.8%; over 12.5° P (birra special);
- two-stage malted beer – from 5.2%; more than 14.5° P (birra doppiomalto).
The style of a particular beer depends on which country’s technology is used in production. Therefore, the names of varieties in Italy coincide with those adopted in countries with long-established brewing traditions. There are several main varieties:
- lager –3.5-5.8% (lager);
- Italian pale ale – 5.2% (IPA);
- light or wheat – from 5.0% (La Bianca or Weizen);
- Vienna style – 5.2% (Vienna Style);
- premium lager – 4.7-5.2% (premium lager);
- Italian side – 6.6-7.0% (La Rossa);
- Radler – 2% (lemonade and beer cocktail);
- ale – 7.0-8.0% (ale).
Interestingly, Italian beer snacks differ in many ways from those usually served in Europe. In Italy it is primarily pizza . Depending on the type and strength of the beer, it may also be served with cheeses , white meat, steak, risotto, roast beef, vegetable salads, stewed beans, baked potatoes or eggplant caviar.
TOP 3 Italian beer brands
Lovers of the foamy drink in the country always have a wide choice. Beer in Italy, the brands of which are represented both on the domestic market and abroad, is distinguished by its variety of flavors. The brands Peroni, Moretti and Forst deserve special attention.
Peroni
Peroni has been known since 1846, when the founder of the brand, F. Peroni, opened his brewery. In 2018, three large factories operate under this name in Italy in Rome, Bari and Padua.
Peroni strength – from 3.5% to 8.0%. The color of the beer is golden yellow. The production uses water purified in a special way, corn and only high-quality varieties of barley. The taste has a pronounced presence of citrus bitterness and a pleasant refreshing aroma. One of the most famous varieties of this brand outside of Italy is Nastro Azzurro.
Moretti
This Italian brand appeared on the beer market in 1859. For its high quality it has received several awards in the USA, Britain , Belgium and Australia. Moretti is most often straw, amber or golden in color with a pleasant, intense aroma of burnt malt and a long, bitter aftertaste. Beer strength is 2.0-8.0%.
Forst
This beer brand is only available in Italy. Pure mountain water is used in the production of the drink. Color – from light yellow to golden. The varieties of beer (there are seven of them) contain the taste of hops, honey, malt, the aroma of herbs, as well as bitter aftertaste notes. Strength – 4.8-5.2%.
Popular brands and their prices
The list of the best Italian brands can be supplemented by brands of lesser-known breweries and the names of craft beer, which is brewed in small private enterprises:
- Menabrea has been produced since 1846, but the brand is not as popular as Peroni or birra Moretti. In terms of production method and ingredients, the beer is similar to German lager with an alcohol content of 4.5-5.0%;
- Baladin is available in 33 varieties, has a golden color and a spicy aroma;
- Lambarte is one of the best craft beer brands; strength 5.0-8.0%;
- 32 Viadei Birrai – famous for its unusual bottle caps; strength – from 5.8% to 8.4%;
- Menaresta is a golden ale produced using German hops;
- Amarcord is distinguished by a variety of colors: from diamond or gold to amber or red. The beer may taste like dried fruit, almonds, honey, or sweet caramel; average strength – 6.5%;
- Ichnusa has a distinct hop flavor and is produced using corn;
- Almond 22 has much in common with the Czech Pilsner;
- Cittavechhia is marketed as a lager and mild ale.
Beer prices in different regions and even in the same city can differ significantly. In 2018, the average cost in the country for 0.5 liters was 1.20 € in markets and 4.50 € in restaurants.
In 2018, buyers faced a wide range of prices in Italian cities:
- Rome and Turin – 4.88 €;
- Florence – €4.14;
- Milan – €4.95;
- Parma – €3.90;
- Venice – €6.00;
- Naples – €1.15.
Where to drink Italian beer in Rome
To experience the taste of beer, passionate lovers of the intoxicating drink prefer to drink in a bar or restaurant, fortunately the Italian capital is rich in drinking establishments:
- Open Baladin offers a selection of 40 beers on tap;
- Luppolo Station is a bar that looks like a perfectly clean train station and is popular with locals. Here you can try 20 varieties of beer;
- Bir&Fud – a crowded pizzeria with a wide selection of beer – more than 36 names;
- Me Che Siete Venuti a Fà – a pub with an unusual name – “Why did you come anyway?” They offer 16 beer varieties;
- Birra Più is always a crowded beer bar with a democratic atmosphere conducive to friendly communication.
The cost of 0.33 liters of intoxicating drink in each of the mentioned establishments is from 5 to 7 €.