Since the collaboration between Maltese and Iper La Grande i began, we have shared a clear mission: to bring quality craft beer into everyday places, making it accessible, understandable, and appreciated by everyone.
We talked about it a few months ago in an article, where we told the story of this new challenge in large-scale retail:
Iper and Maltese: a new frontier for craft beer in large-scale retail.
Craft beer tasting events
Since then, we have created several tasting events in the dining areas of Portello and Arese, aiming to reveal surprising pairings between food and beer, telling the stories behind each label.
February 13 – Oysters and IGA: elegance meets craft beer
Our journey began at Cantina Portello, with a refined event that combined two taste excellences: oysters and Italian Grape Ale. We offered two varieties of oysters paired with three IGA beers by Birra Gaia, a producer working in great synergy with the wine world. The minerality of the sea and the wine notes of the beers created an elegant and unexpected combination, winning over even the most skeptical palates.
May 28 – A complete and intriguing dinner
In May, we wanted to dare more, in collaboration with the team from Ristorante 27 in Arese: a four-course dinner, each paired with a craft beer designed to enhance its flavors. From appetizer to dessert, each dish was highlighted by a different beer:
- Vieni and Weiss (Weissbier) from Birra 100Venti opened the dinner with freshness;
- followed by Vineyard (IGA) from Birra Gaia, which accompanied the seafood first courses;
- James Blonde (APA) held its own against the second;
- and finally Mur.Mur (IGA), with its aromatic complexity, ended on a sweet note.
A complete gastronomic experience that demonstrated how craft beer can be versatile and refined even in gourmet contexts.
June 7 – The IGAs return to the spotlight
A few days later, we returned to Casa Portello with a more informal but equally engaging event: a three-course dinner entirely dedicated to the IGA of Birra Gaia. We once again explored the potential of these hybrid drinks born from the meeting of beer and grapes, pairing them with dishes designed to enhance their aromatic profile. A perfect occasion to rediscover the Italian roots of craft beer and delve into the stories behind each bottle.
July 19 – Summer Aperibirra with flavor and conviviality
We closed the season beautifully with an evening of conviviality at Ristò Portello: the Aperibirra. A rich and varied food offer with pinse, fried snacks, cured meats, and cheeses was accompanied by three craft beers with distinct personalities:
- Luna (Helles Lager) from Malaspina Brewing, light and refreshing,
- Osanna (Weissbier) from Birrificio WAR, soft and fragrant,
- Amen (American IPA), also from WAR, with its strong hoppy profile.
An event designed for those who love discovering new beers in an informal way, but without giving up quality.
Our journey continues
These first four events have confirmed how important it is to create tasting opportunities to tell the world of craft beer in an authentic, accessible, and engaging way. Each evening was a moment of meeting between real products, enthusiasts, and curious people, an opportunity to discover that behind every beer there is a story, a philosophy, a precise choice.
After a summer break, we will continue working with Iper La Grande i to carry on this journey, enriching it with new events and new sensory experiences.
Do you want to participate in the upcoming tasting events?
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