Birrificio Italiano – A proud 30 years

Anniversary | This isn’t the only party to be held by one of the most significant craft beer pioneers in Italy and founder of one of the first craft breweries in Lombardy in the little municipality of Lurago Marinone. Brewery boss Agostino Arioli had invited fellow brewers, companions and beer enthusiasts from all over the world to help him celebrate this notable anniversary – 30 years of Birrificio Italiano.

Sure, there are lots of much older breweries spread out across the globe – yet there are few beer brands that have experienced such dynamism over the past three decades. This wasn’t just a party, however.

At a small symposium held in April and chaired by beer expert and author Alessandra Agrestini, the developments and challenges of the last 30 years were discussed in various groups. Topics ranged from Agostino’s early career as a home brewer to the cluelessness of the relevant authorities when it came to granting permissions for a professional brewhouse to the question of which companies could actually construct a brewery.

Various companions from the pioneering days of Italian craft brewing were on board, among them Teo Musso from Birra Baladin, Giampaolo Sangiorgi from Birrificio Lambrate and Enrico Borio from Beba. Unionbirrai, which Arioli helped set up, was represented by general secretary Simone Monetti and general manager Andrea Bagnolini took part on behalf of AssoBirra. When discussing the present and future of Italian craft beer, issues included retaining independence and the craft brewing community plus the quality and philosophy behind every single brew.

Collaboration brew

Following a fantastic beer menu at the main brewhouse in Lurago Marinone, the next day was spent engaging in a collaboration brew at the new brewery in Limido Comasco. The list of those who contributed is impressive: Matt Brynildson from the Firestone Walker Brewing Company (US); Fredrik Hector Schmidt from Bad Seed Brewing (DK); Yvan de Baets from Brasserie de la Senne (BE); Eric Toft from Brauerei Schönram (DE); and James Heffron and Richard White from the Verdant Brewing Company (UK).

Birrificio Italiano ’s best-known beer is undoubtedly its Tipopils, for this is now considered a reference for an Italian-style pilsner that’s inspired brewers the world over to emulate or reinterpret it. In his welcoming address, American journalist Evan Rail attested to the Italian craft brewer’s meticulous attention to detail. This is why international American or Belgian beer styles haven’t simply been copied but further developed. This is what an Italian-style pilsner or Italian grape ale stand for today.

The celebrations are set to continue, of course, for example at the beer festival in Lomazzo at the beginning of June, where the collaboration brews will be served, or at Piani di Artavaggio in the Alps in September. This is surely a good opportunity to taste a few outstanding beers and meet some interesting people.