Where Is the Most Craft Beer Produced in Italy?
Sardinians’ passion for craft beer is no longer a niche phenomenon: it is an economic, cultural, and production trend that emerges clearly from the 2026 report by the Research Office of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna, based on UnionCamere-Infocamere data. Sardinia confirms its place among the most dynamic areas of Italy’s brewing landscape, with steadily growing figures and a supply chain involving hundreds of workers.
The Growth Figures: More Breweries, More Jobs
At the end of 2025, the companies in the sector registered with the Chambers of Commerce numbered 45, including 20 craft businesses. Compared with 2021, there were 9 more businesses, including 3 craft breweries—a clear sign of a sector undergoing structural rather than temporary expansion.
Estimated direct employment stands at around 300 workers. Considering the entire supply chain and related industries—from raw-material growers to food and wine tourism—this figure rises to approximately 800 jobs.
Consumption: 750,000 Sardinians Choose Beer
Approximately 750,000 Sardinians drink beer, including occasional, seasonal, and regular consumers. Total spending on beer—both industrial and craft—exceeds €70 million per year, equal to around €90 per household.
On the production side, around 4 million liters of beer are produced on the island every year: a volume confirming Sardinia’s growing role in Italy’s national beer sector.
The National Ranking: Sardinia Ranks Seventh for Craft Breweries
Nationwide, there are 802 registered breweries, including 313 craft breweries. Lombardy leads the overall ranking with 110 breweries, while among exclusively craft operations, first place goes to Piedmont with 34 companies.
Sardinia ranks seventh nationally for craft breweries: a result that is not merely a statistic, but confirmation of an authentic regional vocation built on local raw materials, innovative production techniques, and master brewers whose expertise is recognized throughout Italy.
“A Growing Cultural Phenomenon”
“As these figures demonstrate, the sector is growing day by day. The world of small breweries enriches the Sardinian territory, where quality and craftsmanship are the fundamental coordinates encompassing production methods, the raw materials used, professionalism, passion, and the exceptional expertise of craft master brewers.”
— Giacomo Meloni, President of Confartigianato Sardegna
According to Meloni, craft beer has now become “a genuine cultural phenomenon and a growing sector, rich in opportunities and promising prospects.” Confartigianato Sardegna sees the sector as driving the growth of an advanced supply chain, with positive effects across various industries—from growers to the related industries of food and wine tourism and experiential tourism.
Sardinian Beers You Can Discover on Maltese
We at Maltese have been following Sardinia’s brewing scene closely for years. Among the producers featured in our catalog is Birrificio Barley, one of the island’s most representative breweries, with beers that tell the story of the region through local ingredients and distinctive styles.
Some of the Sardinian beers available in our shop:
- BB5, BB6, BB9 — Barley’s classic range, full of character and instantly recognizable
- BB Boom and BB Rednau — bolder interpretations for those seeking complexity
- BB Ver Blonde — fresh and balanced, perfect for discovering the Sardinian style
- Zagara and Sella Del Diavolo — evocative beers connected to the island’s landscape and botanical heritage
- Tùvi Tùvi — a name that already tells a story
