Luppoleti Aperti 2026: Craft Beer Tourism is Growing
Summer 2026 is not just a season of consumption: it is the moment when the world of Italian craft beer literally opens its doors. According to data released by the Consorzio Birra Italiana together with Coldiretti, the record heat boosts both craft beer consumption and the growth of birraturismo — an experiential form of tourism that brings enthusiasts and curious visitors directly to production sites, among blooming hop fields and zero-kilometer breweries.
In this context, Luppoleti Aperti 2026 returns, an initiative inviting the public to visit farms and hop fields to get up close with the Italian beer supply chain.
What is Luppoleti Aperti?
Luppoleti Aperti is an initiative promoted by the Consorzio Birra Italiana that opens to the public the farms cultivating hops in Italy. The 2026 edition started on July 26 with picnics among blooming hops, cone harvesting, and experiential activities for families and enthusiasts.
The second event is scheduled for August 23, 2026, featuring participants such as Birra Baladin, Mastri Birrai Umbri, Luppolajo, il Giardino delle Luppole, Luppolovers, Birra Salento, and many others.
👉 Discover the Baladin beers available on Maltese.beer
The Italian Ingredients That Make the Difference
For the Consorzio Birra Italiana and Coldiretti, enhancing beer starts primarily from the local agricultural raw materials. Among the cereals used are ancient varieties such as Biancolilla, Timilia, Saraolla, Senatore Cappelli, Perciasciacci, and Russello.
Alongside cereals, Italian craft breweries use extraordinary ingredients from their territories: carob, Ciaculli mandarin peels, Sorrento lemon, Cilento figs, Sardinian myrtle, Sardinian Pompia, Apennine chestnuts, and hemp. Zero-kilometer productions that turn every bottle into a story of the land.
👉 Explore our selection of Italian craft beers
Bring Craft Beer Tourism Home
Not everyone can visit a hop field in August — but everyone can bring home the best of the Italian brewing supply chain. At Maltese.beer, we select craft beers made with Italian ingredients, from breweries working with certified agricultural supply chains and local raw materials.
Whether you’re looking for a beer to pair with a summer lunch, a gift for an enthusiast, or a tasting box to discover different styles, our selection is designed for those who want to drink well — with awareness.
A Supply Chain Worth Billions — and Growing
The numbers speak clearly: the Italian craft beer supply chain counts 1,163 production activities, employs about 93,000 workers, and generates a total turnover of 9 billion euros. Consumption has exceeded 36 liters per capita, equal to 2.1 billion liters.
Among the new professions accompanying this growth is the professional beer taster: a figure specialized in sensory analysis, knowledge of brewing styles, and proposing food pairings.
Craft Beer Tourism as Cultural Heritage
On the institutional front, on April 28, 2026, a bill was filed recognizing beer and its cultivation as national cultural heritage. A strong signal confirming that Italian craft beer is no longer just a product — but a cultural identity to promote and protect.
As Teo Musso, president of the Consorzio Birra Italiana, stated: “Our goal is to support the growth of interest in birraturismo by guiding companies toward an ever higher qualification of the offer, starting from the experiential one.”
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about Italian Craft Beer and Birraturismo
What is birraturismo?
Birraturismo is an experiential form of tourism that brings enthusiasts directly to beer production sites: breweries, hop fields, and farms. In Italy, it is growing rapidly, supported by initiatives like Luppoleti Aperti and the work of the Consorzio Birra Italiana.
What is Luppoleti Aperti?
Luppoleti Aperti is an initiative by the Consorzio Birra Italiana that opens to the public the farms cultivating hops in Italy. In 2026, the events are on July 26 and August 23, with activities such as picnics among the hops, cone harvesting, and guided tours.
Which Italian ingredients are used in craft beer?
Italian craft breweries use ancient cereals like Senatore Cappelli, Timilia, and Russello, as well as local ingredients such as Sorrento lemon, Ciaculli mandarin, Cilento figs, Sardinian myrtle, Apennine chestnuts, and hemp. These ingredients give the beers unique aromatic profiles tied to their territory.
Where can I buy Italian craft beers online?
On Maltese.beer you’ll find a curated selection of Italian craft beers, with shipping throughout Italy. You can choose from single bottles, tasting boxes, and gift packs.
What is a professional beer taster?
A professional beer taster is a figure specialized in knowledge of brewing styles, sensory analysis, identifying possible defects, and suggesting food pairings. It is a growing profession in Italy, supported by the expansion of the craft sector.
Is Italian craft beer recognized as cultural heritage?
The parliamentary process is underway: on April 28, 2026, a bill was filed recognizing beer and its cultivation as Italian national cultural heritage, two centuries after the start of brewing production in Italy.
