Table of Contents:
BEER CIRCA 1789 AD.
BEER AFTER 1900 AD.
TODAY’S BEER.
Wines of Italy. Italian Spirits.
Ancient Italian Beer
The story of Italian beer only goes back to around the seventh century BC. They would make it locally and consume it locally. This system is probably a good idea as this was before pasteurization. These are the first artisan beers.
Unfortunately, for the next (approx) 2300 years, the wine industry (church) has better marketing and becomes the alcoholic drink of choice. This situation runs through Europe’s “wine belt.” Beer even went by the name “barley wine” in the 1400s. Beer drinkers the 1700s. The Lombardy region of (today’s) northern Italy (think Milan to Switzerland) is under the House of Habsburg (Austria) rule. The Emperor of Austria also oversees the German Confederation. They are famous for beer making. Northern Italy and Germany are, at this time, the same country.
Not so ancient.
In the Piedmont region, a small brewery begins making beer in 1789. Over in Lombardy, you have the Wuhrer Brewery opening (maybe) around 1829. Just north and west, you have Spluga Brewery opening around 1840. Both of these towns are sitting on important trading routes from Italy to Austria and Germany. They begin brewing the German-style Bock beer.
Not too long after, other breweries begin popping up. The Peroni (1846) SW of Milan. In 1857 the Forst Brewery, north of Verona and one mountain shy of Austria, starts brewing. In 1859, the Beer and Ice Factory opened for business.
With the Second Italian Independence War (1859), the Lombardy region becomes part of the Kingdom of Italy. The German-style, Austrian beers are now brewing in Italy. Italian beer is having a renaissance.
By the end of the 1800s, more than 125 breweries are operating. Predominantly local beers to go with local cuisine. Ice factories begin popping up, and beer can now expand its reach.
Historical Italian Beers
After this time, breweries start operating more like a business. Circa 1907, the Peroni Brewery, writes up a business plan, and the Wuhrer Group follows their lead. The Beer and Ice Factory becomes Moretti, after its founder’s name.
Over the next 100 years, the breweries grow, merge, and acquire. By 1930, there are only 35 breweries left.
(BACK TO TOP)
Then there were three.
By the 1970s, there are three large beer companies in Italy. Peroni, Wuhrer, and Pedavena-Dreher. Some of the smaller ones manage to hang on, such as Forst and Poretti.
Italy starts importing beer from other countries at this time. Imports grow at a fantastic pace. Now all the Italian beer makers are looking over their shoulders.
Soon the multinationals start buying up the Italian breweries. By 2003, Pedavena-Dreher, Wehrer, and Peroni belong to foreign companies.
Two little breweries hang on. Forst brewery, north near the Austria border, and the G. Menabrea & Figli brewery near Piedmont are both still in Italian hands with owners related to the original beer makers.
Modern Italian Beer
Italy is losing its century-old craft, and there will never be Italian beer again. Aspetta un minuto!
A wave of new beers is sweeping across Europe. This wave is the dawning of the age of the micro-brew. By 1996, the tide is reaching Italy. A little bar in the Piedmont area starts serving craft beers from Belgium, Germany, and the United States. (No local ones at the time).
The 32-year-old owner is not content selling someone else’s beer. So he begins brewing his beer. Today you can sample more than 30 varieties of beer at the Baladin Brewery.
Gastro Pubs
Same beer time, same beer channel, in a town less than 3-hour’s drive from the Piedmont area brewery, another shift in Italian beer takes place. North of Milan, a 31-year-old dreamer is opening a brewpub. They are both ahead of the wave. The first few years are not comfortable. Finally, the locals latch on to these local beers. Today the Birrificio Italiano is producing over 20 varieties of beer. The original Gastropub and one in Milan serve more than just beer.
So one place has 30 varieties, and the other has 20. Do you say that’s not enough? Relax, Italy, is now home to almost 1000 microbreweries. The majority of them are in the north. The good news, they are finding their way south.
The BEST craft beer in Italy EVER!!!
So which one do I recommend? Hahahahahaha. I would not even try.
Probably the best I can do/suggest is to (try) and break it down into different types of beers. Also, a few suggestions on what is currently popular. (they were 5 minutes ago.) Also, I will tell you where these beers are in production.
For the most current, up to date favorite beers, ask your bartender or server.