Buy Italian Grape Ale (IGA) online: Cuvée Convivium and more
Italian Grape Ales are the most exciting hybrid style in craft beer today — where brewing meets winemaking. On Maltese you can order two exceptional IGAs: Cuvée Convivium by Birra Gaia (Chardonnay and Merlot vinacce, dry and persistent with strawberry and tropical fruit notes) and IGA Moscato di Scanzo by Qubeer (20% Moscato di Scanzo must, incredible aging potential). Both available online with fast delivery across Italy.
🛒 Buy Cuvée Convivium on Maltese
🛒 Buy IGA Moscato di Scanzo on Maltese
What is an Italian Grape Ale (IGA)?
Italian Grape Ale is a hybrid beer style that blends brewing techniques with winemaking ingredients. Brewers add grape-derived elements — juice, must, or vinacce (pomace) — to a beer base to create aromas and flavors more typical of wine: vinous fruit, bright acidity, and sometimes tannic structure. IGAs range from light and sparkling to fuller-bodied and complex, depending on the grapes and production method.
Why choose an IGA?
- Unique flavor profile: the intersection of beer and wine — aromatic complexity you won’t find in either alone
- Italian terroir: each IGA reflects the grape variety and region it comes from
- Versatile at the table: acidity and fruit lift cut through rich flavors while the beer body supports savory dishes
- Aging potential: some IGAs (like IGA Moscato di Scanzo) evolve beautifully over time
How is an IGA made?
- Co-fermentation: fresh grape must is fermented together with the wort
- Secondary addition: grape must or pomace is added during secondary fermentation to preserve aromatics
- Blend: fermented beer is blended with a low-alcohol fermented grape must for balance and acidity
Cuvée Convivium uses Chardonnay and Merlot vinacce pre-fermented at low ABV and high acidity — a masterclass in the blending technique.
Food pairings
- Seafood and shellfish: oysters, grilled shrimp, ceviche — acidity complements briny flavors
- Cured meats: prosciutto, salumi — grape fruitiness echoes the cured-sweet notes
- Soft and aged cheeses: ricotta, pecorino, young goat cheeses
- Light desserts: berry panna cotta, fruit tarts, citrus-based desserts
- Artisan snacks from Maltese for a premium aperitivo
How to serve IGAs
- Temperature: 6–10 °C to concentrate aromas
- Glass: tulip or white-wine-style glass — explore our glassware selection
- Pour: gently, observe clarity and carbonation; take small sips to identify winey aromas first
