Italian Beer Culture: Drinking Preferences And Traditions

Italy is famous for its wine, but beer is also a popular drink. In fact, Italians have been drinking beer since at least the 7th century BC. While Italy is considered part of the wine belt of Europe, beer is often consumed with pizza, and since the 1970s, it has become more popular in other situations, too. Beer consumption in Italy is lower than in the US or Germany, but brands like Peroni, Moretti, and Menabrea are well-known and enjoyed by Italians.

Beer is a common drink in Italy

Beer has a long history in Italy, with archaeological evidence of beer consumption and production dating back to the seventh century BC in Sicily and 560 BC in Piedmont. While ancient Rome knew of beer and produced small amounts, the systems of production were destroyed during barbarian invasions. The first Italian brewery, according to some sources, was "Spluga" in Chiavenna, which opened in 1840, although the company Wührer claims to have begun brewing in Brescia in 1829. Beer has been increasingly available in Italy since the middle of the 19th century, with brands such as Peroni and Moretti dating back to this period.

Today, there are more than 500 breweries nationwide, and microbrews are becoming trendy, with small, local craft brewers popping up across Italy. Italian craft brewers typically use high-quality, local ingredients and apply their wine-making expertise to beer brewing. Popular Italian beer brands include Peroni, Nastro Azzurro, Menabrea, Morena, and Moretti. Italy's beer consumption is estimated at 30 litres per capita per year, although another source places it at 31 litres per year.

Italians drink beer with pizza

Italians are known for their love of wine, but when it comes to pizza, they often opt for beer instead. This may come as a surprise, given that Italy is predominantly considered a wine country. However, there are several reasons why beer has become the preferred beverage to accompany a slice of pizza.

Firstly, beer is having a moment in Italy. In recent years, the country has been embracing beer more than ever, with a growing number of industrial and craft breweries available nationwide. This shift towards beer is particularly noticeable in the pairing of pizza and beer. While wine is typically the drink of choice for Italians during meals, when it comes to pizza, beer takes precedence.

The primary reason for this preference is related to digestion. Pizza is often consumed at dinnertime in Italy, and it is known for its heavy dairy component. Italians believe that sparkling beverages aid in digestion, and beer, with its carbonation, fits the bill perfectly. Additionally, the carbonation in beer helps to balance the rich flavours of the pizza, providing a refreshing contrast.

The type of beer chosen for pairing with pizza can vary depending on the toppings. For instance, spicy pizzas topped with pepperoni are enhanced by the crispness of pale ales, while fruity beers complement the sweetness of pineapple toppings. On the other hand, plain pizzas like Margherita benefit from the floral notes of ales or the boldness of IPAs, which accentuate the simple flavours without overwhelming them.

While beer is the go-to choice for Italians when enjoying a pizza, it's worth noting that there are exceptions to every rule. Some Italians may still opt for wine with their pizza, especially if it's a sparkling variety like Prosecco, Gragnano, or Lettere. These wines, with their subtle fizz, can also aid in digestion and provide a delightful pairing with pizza.

Italy's most famous beers

Although Italy is considered part of the wine belt of Europe, beer is also common in the country. In particular, mass-produced pale lagers are popular and are considered the ideal accompaniment to pizza.

Some of Italy's most famous beers include:

Peroni

Peroni is one of the oldest and most widespread breweries in Italy. It is considered the most popular beer from Italy worldwide. The brand also owns the popular Nastro Azzurro, which is known for its distinctive, invigorating taste and citrusy aroma. Peroni Gran Riserva is another popular beer from the brewery, known for its sweet and tangy flavours and notes of caramel and toffee.

Birra Moretti

Birra Moretti is another well-known Italian beer brand. Established in 1859, the brand produces a range of beers, including Moretti, Baffo d'Oro, La Rossa, Doppio Malto, Zero, and Gran Cru. The brand is recognised by the mustachioed man featured on its label.

Menabrea

Menabrea is a historical Italian beer brand, established in 1846. The Bionda Lager is one of its most popular beers, known for its harmonious blend of fruity, citrus, and floral notes with subtle bitterness.

Ichnusa

Ichnusa is one of the most famous Italian beer brands, with a history spanning over a century. It is a full-bodied beer with a subtle bitter note and unique blend of light and caramel barley malt, creating herbaceous and exotic aromas.

Birra Del Borgo

Birra Del Borgo is a small craft brewery established in 2005, known for its innovative brewing techniques and bold flavour experiments. Their Cortigiana beer incorporates a variety of grains and spices like ginger, coriander, and orange peel, resulting in a rich, invigorating flavour with subtle cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus notes.

Birra Montegioco Quarta Runa

Birra Montegioco is a microbrewery in Piedmont, Italy, known for its specialty beers, particularly the Quarta Runa. This beer is brewed with locally sourced baked peaches, resulting in a fragrant and spicy brew with an alcohol content of 7%.

Beer's history in Italy

Beer has a long history in Italy, dating back to ancient times. In the 7th century BC, the Phoenicians traded and consumed beer in Sicily. Archaeological evidence also suggests that beer was present in Italy as early as 560 BC, with the discovery of a tomb in Piedmont, Pombia, Province of Novara, containing traces of beer from the Golasecca culture.

The ancient Romans knew of beer and produced small amounts, but their brewing systems were destroyed during barbarian invasions. The Romans referred to beer as "cervisia" in honour of the goddess Ceres, the protector of crops. Despite this early presence, beer's importance in Italian culture waned with the fall of the Roman Empire, partly due to the association with the barbarian hordes from the north and the preference for wine.

During the Middle Ages, beer consumption in Italy was mostly limited to the northern regions, and it was imported. The monks of the Abbey of Montecassino began producing beer during this time, continuing a tradition that still survives today in Belgian Trappist monasteries.

The Renaissance saw an increase in beer importation and some artisanal production in the Alpine valleys. Beer was called "barley wine" in Florence. In 1789, Giovanni Baldassarre Ketter opened the first modern Italian brewery in Nizza Monferrato, Piedmont, marking the beginning of the industrial era of beer in Italy. By 1890, there were approximately 140 breweries operating in the country.

The early 20th century brought challenges to the brewing industry due to World War I and the import of malt from abroad. However, by the 1920s, beer consumption was on the rise, leading to the Fascist regime imposing the Marescalchi Law in 1927, which taxed and restricted the retail trade of beer.

After World War II, beer consumption began to grow again, and by the 1970s, it had spread beyond pizzerias, becoming popular in various drinking situations. Today, Italy has thriving mass-market breweries and a dynamic craft beer culture, with a wide range of assortments to satisfy diverse tastes. Italian craft breweries are known for their creativity, incorporating unique ingredients like tobacco leaves, smoked teas, beans, nuts, and various local products.

Beer consumption in Italy

Italy is considered part of the wine belt of Europe, and wine is extremely popular in the country. However, beer is also commonly consumed, particularly mass-produced pale lagers. Beer is considered an ideal accompaniment to pizza, and since the 1970s, it has become more popular for drinking in other situations as well. Beer has been available in Italy for a long time, with the first brewery in the country, "Spluga" in Chiavenna, opening in 1840. Another source mentions the Wührer company, which claims to have started brewing in Brescia in 1829. Beer was also consumed and traded in Sicily in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians, and archaeological investigations in Piedmont, Pombia, and the Province of Novara found traces of beer in tombs from the Golasecca culture dating back to 560 BC.

In terms of Italian drinking culture, there are certain rules and etiquette that are followed. For example, in homes and good restaurants, the only beverages served during lunch or dinner are wine (red, white, rosé, or Prosecco) and water (frizzante or naturale). Beer is considered acceptable to drink with pizza, as neither wine nor water complements it as well. Additionally, Italians view alcohol as a natural and acceptable part of life, and drinking is seen as an art form with its own set of rules and etiquette.

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