Craft Brewery: what they are, how they work, and the best ones to know
A craft brewery is a beer production facility that prioritizes ingredient quality, original recipes, and artisanal production processes over mass industrial production. In Italy, the sector has exploded in recent years: from 650 breweries in 2015 to over 1,300 active today, with a catalog of styles and flavors that rivals the great Belgian and German traditions.
Buy beers from the best craft breweries on Maltese - shipping in 24-48h
What distinguishes a craft brewery from an industrial one?
- Reduced volumes - craft breweries produce limited quantities, often with seasonal recipes and limited editions
- Quality ingredients - selected malts, fresh hops, specific yeasts for each style, often local and organic ingredients
- Original recipes - each brewery develops its own style and recipes, without industrial standardization
- No pasteurization - craft beers are often unfiltered and unpasteurized, with livelier and more complex aromas
- Short supply chain - direct relationship between brewer and consumer, often with direct sales or through specialized shops
How does a craft brewery work?
The production process of a craft brewery follows the same stages as any beer, but with obsessive attention to every step:
- Selection of raw materials - barley malt, hops, yeast, and water. The quality of the ingredients determines 70% of the final result
- Mashing - the crushed malts are mixed with hot water to extract fermentable sugars
- Boiling and hopping - the wort is boiled with the addition of hops at different stages for bitterness and aroma
- Fermentation - the yeast transforms sugars into alcohol and CO2. Each yeast strain contributes to the final aromatic profile
- Maturation - from a few days to several months, depending on the style. More complex beers require more time
- Bottling or kegging - often with bottle refermentation for natural carbonation
The best Italian craft breweries on Maltese
Birrificio WAR
A Lombard brewery among the most innovative in the Italian scene. Specialized in American styles revisited with Italian ingredients, with a canned production that has revolutionized the Italian craft market.
Explore the beers of Birrificio WAR
Birrificio Baladin
The pioneer of Italian craft beer. Teo Musso founded Baladin in 1996 in Piozzo (Cuneo), creating iconic beers that inspired a generation of brewers. Today it is an absolute reference for quality and innovation.
Explore the beers of Birrificio Baladin
Birra Gaia
Craft brewery with a strong territorial identity and beers of great character. One of the most appreciated realities by Italian enthusiasts.
Explore the beers of Birra Gaia
Barley Craft Brewery
Sardinian excellence in craft beer. Barley produces beers that tell the story of the island territory with local ingredients and original recipes of great complexity.
Explore the beers of Birrificio Barley
Birrificio Rurale
Lombard brewery with a production philosophy tied to the territory and seasonality. Clean, elegant beers with great drinkability.
Explore the beers of Birrificio Rurale
Birrificio Renton
Craft brewery with a varied catalog and characterful beers. One of the most interesting realities in the Italian craft scene.
Explore the beers of Birrificio Renton
EDIT Craft Brewery
Turin-based brewery among Italy's most awarded. EDIT is synonymous with absolute quality, with beers that have won international recognition.
Birrificio Menaresta
Lombard brewery specialized in Belgian styles and top-fermentation beers. One of the most refined realities in the Italian craft scene.
Explore the beers of Birrificio Menaresta
The best Belgian craft breweries on Maltese
Chimay
Scourmont Trappist Abbey, one of the most respected Belgian beer brands worldwide. Chimay Rouge, Bleue, and Triple are absolute references for abbey beers.
3 Fonteine Craft Brewery
One of Belgium's most respected lambic and gueuze producers. Spontaneously fermented beers of extraordinary complexity.
Explore the beers of 3 Fonteine
St. Bernardus Brewery
Historic Belgian brewery with a centuries-old tradition. Its abbey beers are among the most appreciated worldwide by connoisseurs.
Explore the beers of St. Bernardus
How to choose beers from a craft brewery
- Start with the style you love - every brewery excels in one or more styles. Discover each one's strengths
- Read the technical sheets - ABV, IBU, tasting notes, and pairings help you choose wisely
- Try a tasting box - the best way to discover a brewery and taste multiple labels together
- Follow the limited editions - craft breweries often produce seasonal and limited edition beers not to be missed
Explore all the craft breweries on Maltese - buy online with 24-48h shipping
Discover the Tasting Boxes - the best way to explore the finest craft breweries
