The story of Birrificio WAR: from agricultural roots to iconic cans
It all started in 2017 in Cassina de' Pecchi, a small town in the province of Milan. Francesco Radaelli decided not to sell the family farm but to transform it into something completely different: a craft brewery producing beers with raw materials grown directly in the fields. Thus was born Birrificio WAR — acronym for We Are Rising — with a clear promise: to make good, honest, and recognizable beer.
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An agricultural brewery: barley from field to can
What sets WAR apart from most Italian craft breweries is the direct connection to the land. Over 80% of the barley used in production is grown directly by the Radaelli farm, then malted and processed at the brewery. This total control of the supply chain results in consistent quality and an authentic territorial identity, rare in the Italian craft scene.
Design as language: the Mindwarp cans
In 2019 WAR made a bold choice: they abandoned the bottle and switched to cans. Not for fashion, but out of conviction. The can better protects the beer from light and oxygen, is lighter, more sustainable, and offers a much larger graphic surface. It is precisely on that surface that WAR builds part of its identity: the illustrations by Elisa Previtali (Mindwarp Design) turn each can into a collectible object, with a visual style immediately recognizable in any beershop in Italy.
The beers that made WAR’s history
In just a few years, WAR has built a solid catalog, with some labels becoming true references in the Italian craft scene:
- Amen — The American IPA symbol of the brewery. Citrus, tropical fruit, clean bitterness. The beer that made WAR known throughout Italy.
- Tutto Fatto — The Double IPA for those who want more. Intense hopping, full body, explosive aromas.
- Mezzo Fatto — The accessible Session NEIPA: all the aromatic complexity with a lower ABV.
- Keller Pils Franco — The precise, clean, and refreshing lager. Shows that WAR can also make "simple" beer excellently.
- Portobello — The British Porter, deep and enveloping. For moments when you want something different.
- One Shot — Experimental limited editions, always different, always sold out quickly.
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WAR today: a benchmark in Italian craft beer
Almost ten years after its founding, Birrificio WAR has become one of the most loved and widely distributed craft breweries in Italy. The combination of agricultural quality, stylistic research, and strong visual identity has created a brand that goes beyond beer: it’s a way of understanding craftsmanship, territory, and taste.
On Maltese you will always find the updated WAR catalog, including the latest releases and the limited edition One Shot. Authorized retailer, fast shipping, secure packaging.
Want to learn more about the styles and individual labels? Read our complete guide to Birrificio WAR craft beers.
