American Beer In Italy: Availability And Accessibility

Italy is famous for its wine, but beer is also widely available and enjoyed throughout the country. Beer can be purchased in most restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores, and is available in both cans and bottles. While Italian beers tend to be light and fizzy, the country is also seeing a rise in craft beer, with brewers experimenting with creative flavours. However, if you're looking for American beer in Italy, it may be harder to find and will likely be more expensive.

Where to buy beer in Italy

Beer is widely available in Italy and can be purchased almost everywhere, including supermarkets, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. If you are looking to buy beer in Italy, here are some places to consider:

Supermarkets and Grocery Stores:

Supermarkets and grocery stores are convenient options to purchase beer in Italy. These stores typically have a wide range of beer brands, both foreign and domestic. Keep in mind that these stores have strict policies regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages, and you must be at least 18 years old to buy beer.

Bars and Restaurants:

Bars and restaurants in Italy offer a diverse selection of beers, cocktails, and other beverages. While the age restriction may not be as strictly enforced as in supermarkets, it is still advisable to carry identification when purchasing alcohol.

Liquor Stores:

Liquor stores in Italy provide a broader range of alcoholic beverages compared to bars. You will likely find various types of liquor, including vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, and bitter, in addition to beer. Don't forget to carry your ID, as you will typically need to present identification to make a purchase.

Vending Machines:

In some locations across Italy, vending machines dispense alcohol. To use these machines, you must insert your ID to verify your age. These vending machines are typically operational from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Microbreweries:

In recent years, Italy has witnessed a surge in craft beers and microbreweries. If you're interested in exploring local craft beers, keep an eye out for microbreweries, especially in popular tourist destinations like Monterosso.

Remember that the availability and selection of beer may vary depending on your location in Italy, and some sources indicate that wine is more popular than beer in certain regions. Additionally, prices can differ based on brand, quality, location, and type of store or establishment.

Beer prices in Italy

The price of beer in Italy varies depending on the brand, quality, and location of purchase. Here is an overview of beer prices in Italy:

Supermarket Prices

A 0.5-liter bottle of domestic beer in a supermarket costs around €1.50, while a 0.33-liter bottle of imported beer costs around €2.10. These prices can vary depending on the brand and quality of the beer, with some brands offering cheaper options and others catering to more premium tastes.

Restaurant and Pub Prices

In restaurants and pubs, the price of beer will typically be higher than in supermarkets. A 0.5-liter draught of domestic beer can cost around €5.00, while a 0.33-liter bottle of imported beer can be priced at €5.00 as well. These prices may also include the cost of service and the ambiance of the establishment.

Vending Machine Prices

In some locations in Italy, vending machines sell alcohol. The prices at these vending machines are likely to be similar to those in supermarkets, but there may be a slight markup due to the convenience factor. It is important to note that these vending machines require ID to purchase alcohol.

Comparison to Other Countries

When compared to the United States, food and drink prices in Italy are generally lower. Specifically, the cost of a bottle of beer from a known brand in Italy is approximately $2.20, which is lower than the price of a similar product in the US.

Drinking laws in Italy

The legal drinking age in Italy is 18 years old. However, enforcement of this law is often lax, and it is common for younger people to drink alcohol, especially when accompanied by their parents. Nevertheless, it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, and doing so can result in fines or even prison time if the minor is under 16.

In Italy, drinking is commonly associated with food. The tradition of aperitivo, or apericena for heavier food fare, involves gathering at bars after work and ordering a drink served with snacks. This custom is deeply ingrained in Italian culture, and drinking a glass of wine, even at breakfast, is more socially acceptable in Italy than in the US.

While Italy has no national laws against public drinking, local municipalities can regulate it by prohibiting consumption in specific areas or during certain times. Despite this, public drunkenness is considered "bad form" and is punishable by a fine of €51 to €309, although authorities rarely apply this rule.

Drinking and driving laws are also strictly enforced, with fines ranging from €500 to €2000 for driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 to 0.05. Those under 21 or who have held their license for less than three years are prohibited from drinking and driving.

Italy has a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available, including beer, wine, and spirits. Alcohol is easily accessible and can be purchased in supermarkets, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and even vending machines. The cost of alcohol, especially wine, is relatively inexpensive compared to the US.

Beer types in Italy

Italy is predominantly a wine-producing and wine-drinking country, but it also has a thriving beer industry. In fact, beer is considered an ideal accompaniment to pizza and has become popular in various other situations.

Italy has nearly 1000 craft breweries and brewpubs, but it still imports two and a half times more beer than it exports. The dynamic and innovative Italian craft beer sector has strong ties to its territory and a long history that goes back a thousand years.

Italian craft beers are much closer to wine than industrial beers in terms of quality and complexity. They come in a variety of types and tastes, each of which can be paired with different foods and dishes.

Some well-known Italian breweries and beer brands include:

• Peroni (owned by Asahi)
• Nastro Azzurro (owned by Peroni)
• Birra del Borgo (owned by InBev)
• Birra Raffo (owned by Asahi)
• Dreher (owned by Heineken)
• Ichnusa (owned by Heineken)
• Menabrea (owned by Forst)
• Birrificio Dr. Barbanera
• Birra Messina (owned by Heineken)
• Moretti (owned by Heineken)
• Birra Pedavena (owned by Castello)
• Poretti (owned by Carlsberg)

Some popular Italian beers include:

• Peroni Gran Riserva: A strong, unapologetic flavor with an alcohol content of 5.1%.
• Cortigiana: An affordable, intensely refreshing beer with notes of vanilla and cinnamon, and an alcohol content of 5%.
• Nastro Azzurro: The best-selling Italian beer in the world, made with local corn.
• Quarta Runa: A specialty beer with an alcohol content of 7%, brewed using the aroma of baked local peaches.
• Messina Beer: A well-known lager from Sicily with an alcohol content of 4.7%.
• Menabrea: A historic brand with a range of beers, including the Bionda Lager (4.8% alcohol) and the Amber Ambrata (5.0% alcohol).
• Lambrate Ghisa: An easy-drinking, delicately bitter beer with a rich, dark profile and an alcohol content of 5%.
• Angelo Poretti: A range of beers that belong to the Carlsberg group but stay true to the Italian beer style.

Importing American beer to Italy

American beer can be purchased in Italy, and it is possible to import it into the country. However, there are strict regulations and limits on the quantity of alcohol that can be brought into Italy, and specific permits are required for commercial importation.

Importing Alcohol to Italy

Under European and Italian law, there are limits to the quantity of alcohol that can be purchased and transported within the EU and from non-EU countries to Italy for "personal use". These limits are outlined in European Council Directive 2008/118/EC and Italian Legislative Decree no. 504. According to these regulations, travellers entering Italy from another EU country can carry the following quantities of alcohol for personal use, with the excise duty included in the price:

• Intermediate products
• Wine (including a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine)
• 5 litres of spirits
• 55 litres of beer

If a traveller is carrying quantities of alcohol that exceed these limits, they must declare this to the Italian Customs Agency, as the products will be deemed to be for commercial purposes and will be subject to excise duty.

For travellers coming from non-EU countries, the exemption from excise and customs duties for alcoholic beverages is as follows:

• Alcoholic beverages exceeding 22% ABV or undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or more: 1 litre
• Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 22% or less: 2 litres

It is important to note that these exemptions do not apply to travellers under the age of 17, and young people under 17 are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into Italy.

Importing Commercial Quantities of Alcohol to Italy

For commercial importation of alcohol into Italy, specific permits and documentation are required. The process is governed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Here is an overview of the steps involved:

• Approve Your Formula: The TTB evaluates the ingredients of alcoholic beverages before allowing them into the country. There are specific formula requirements for distilled spirits, malt beverages, and wine.
• Obtain Permits: Apply for a Federal Basic Importer's Permit by submitting the necessary forms to the National Revenue Center online or on paper. This process usually takes about six weeks. To be eligible, you must maintain a business office in the US or contract with a licensed US importer. You will also need a Letter of Intent from a Foreign Supplier.
• Obtain a COLA: A TTB-issued Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) is required for each unique product/label for distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages.
• Prepare Funds for Taxes and Duties: Importers are responsible for paying all Federal Excise Taxes (FET) and duties to CBP. Taxes and fees vary depending on the circumstances.
• Certificate of Age and Origin: Certain wines and distilled spirits imported into the US require a Certificate of Age and Origin, identifying the nation importing the beverage and when it was produced.
• Provide Prior Notice to the FDA: Notify the FDA in advance of any shipments of imported alcohol to allow for evaluation and inspection.
• Prepare Paperwork for Customs: Ensure you have all necessary TTB permits and documentation, invoices for each shipment, an entry form, and an entry summary. Each invoice must include the name of the importer, exporter, port of entry, number, weight, price, and a detailed description of the product.
• Obtain an Importer or Customs Bond: This document shows that the importer will pay all necessary FET taxes and fees to CBP.
• Plan for Transloading: Map out the warehousing and shipping requirements to navigate the various transportation modes and state regulations within the US.
• Verify Import Customer Requirements: The US customer purchasing the alcoholic beverage must provide a Federal Basic Permit, a state-issued alcohol permit, and a Certificate of Age or Origin.

Frequently asked questions