30 Years of Craft Beer in Italy. The Breweries That Made History
In 1996, the first Italian craft breweries were born. Thirty years later, the Italian craft beer scene is among the most vibrant in Europe: hundreds of producers, thousands of labels, and a quality that has won over palates worldwide. In this article, we retrace the key milestones of this revolution — and introduce you to the breweries you can discover and order today directly from our shop.
1996–2006 — The Pioneers: when craft beer was a gamble
It all begins with the liberalization of beer production in Italy, which opened the way for a generation of enthusiasts ready to bet on a market that did not yet exist. These were years of pure experimentation, artisanal equipment, and handcrafted recipes.
Among the names that wrote this first page is Baladin, founded by Teo Musso in Piozzo, Piedmont: an absolute pioneer of Italian craft beer, with iconic labels like Nazionale, Isaac, and Super that defined an aesthetic and identity still recognizable today. From Abruzzo comes Almond '22 (2003), born in an old almond mill with authentic ingredients like spelt, unmalted barley, and local honeys — a beer that tells the story of the territory even before the style.
👉 Discover Baladin beers — Discover Almond '22
2006–2016 — L'Esplosione: IPA, Stout and the generation of beer geeks
It is the decade when craft beer stops being a curiosity and becomes a movement. Anglo-Saxon styles — IPA, Stout, Pale Ale — are reinterpreted with Italian raw materials and a distinctly Mediterranean creativity. Breweries multiply, taprooms open, festivals become regular events.
In Sardinia, Barley (2006) was founded by Nicola Perra and Isidoro Mascia: unpasteurized, unfiltered beers, bottle-conditioned, with creativity that has made the Sardinian brewery recognized among the best in Italy. In Lombardy, Birrificio Rurale (2009) was born from the idea of five enthusiasts who wanted to rediscover the agricultural origins of beer in the Brianza area. In Milan, Menaresta takes its name from the source of the Lambro and builds an identity strongly linked to the Brianza territory.
In 2008, Birrificio Lariano was born, with its first unfiltered and unpasteurized Pils — La Grigna — which immediately became a reference for the cleanliness of its aromatic profile. In 2010, it was the turn of Pratorosso, which has roots in a century-old agricultural past in the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano.
2016–2026 — Maturity: quality, territory, and new frontiers
The third phase is that of awareness. Italian breweries stop chasing foreign models and build their own identity. Saison, wild ale, spontaneous fermentations, beers paired with gastronomy: craft beer enters restaurant menus and sommeliers' glasses.
In Turin, EDIT (2015) was born in the former INCET factory and became a Social Hub with a shared production brewery — an innovative model that anticipates the trend of brewery districts. In Fano, Renton (2014) turned the passion of three partners into a 16-hectoliter plant with a stylistically coherent and recognizable range. In Piedmont, Sagrin (2015) was born in the heart of a UNESCO territory, with a plant entirely designed by the founders. In Abruzzo, Mezzopasso (2014) brought craft beer to Popoli, enhancing a territory still little explored by the craft scene.
In 2024, Riversa was named the best brewery in Italy at the Best Italian Breweries — a recognition that certifies the quality of a scene now mature and competitive at the European level.
👉 Discover EDIT — Discover Renton — Discover Riversa — Discover Sagrin
The Breweries in Our Catalog That Have Shaped These 30 Years
Here is a complete overview of the producers you find in our shop, with founding year and direct link to their collection:
| Brewery | Founded | Territory | Discover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baladin | ’90s | Piedmont | → |
| Almond '22 | 2003 | Abruzzo | → |
| Barley | 2006 | Sardinia | → |
| Nuovo Birrificio Nicese | 2006 | Liguria | → |
| Birrificio Lariano | 2008 | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio Rurale | 2009 | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio Pratorosso | 2010 | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio Renton | 2014 | Marche | → |
| Birrificio 50&50 | 2014 | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio Mezzopasso | 2014 | Abruzzo | → |
| EDIT Birrificio | 2015 | Piedmont | → |
| Birrificio Sagrin | 2015 | Piedmont | → |
| Birrificio Sabino | 2016 | Lazio | → |
| Menaresta | n.d. | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio WAR | n.d. | Lombardy | → |
| Birrificio Altotevere | n.d. | Umbria | → |
| Birrificio BiRen | n.d. | Italy | → |
| Birrificio Exuvia | n.d. | Italy | → |
| Riversa | n.d. | Lombardy | → |
| Orso Verde | n.d. | Italy | → |
| Chimay | 1850 | Belgium | → |
| St. Bernardus | 1992 | Belgium | → |
| 3 Fonteine | historic | Belgium | → |
| Achel | historic | Belgium | → |
How to Choose the Right Craft Beer for You
Thirty years of production have created a variety of styles that can seem overwhelming. Here is a quick guide:
- Do you love intense hop aromas? → Start with an IPA or a Pale Ale
- Prefer something smooth and enveloping? → Stout or Porter are the right choice
- Looking for a beer to pair with food? → Saison, Tripel, or Belgian high fermentation beers
- Want to explore alcohol-free? → Our alcohol-free selection is constantly growing
👉 Explore our entire selection of craft beers — or build your own anniversary tasting box with your favorite labels.
FAQ — 30 Years of Craft Beer
When was craft beer born in Italy?
The Italian craft beer movement took shape around 1996, after the liberalization of beer production. Baladin and a few other pioneers paved the way for a scene that today counts hundreds of producers.
What is the difference between craft and industrial beer?
Craft beer is produced in small batches, without pasteurization or forced filtration, with selected ingredients and often bottle-conditioned. The result is a more complex aromatic profile and greater seasonal variability.
Where to buy Italian craft beer online?
On our shop you will find a curated selection of over 20 Italian and international breweries, with shipping throughout Italy. Discover the catalog →
Which styles are typically Italian?
Italy does not have a codified "national" style, but it has stood out for Italian Grape Ales (IGA) — beers made with grape must — and for creative reinterpretations of classic styles using local ingredients (spelt, chestnuts, honey, citrus).
Are Chimay and St. Bernardus craft beers?
Yes, in the broadest sense of the term: they are produced by abbeys or with traditional methods, unpasteurized, with a centuries-old history. Chimay was born in 1850, St. Bernardus in 1992 — both in our catalog.
Happy anniversary to craft beer. And enjoy your tasting. 🍺
