Spaghetti & Mandolino - home page / Our magazine / Craft beer to the rescue: a growing phenomenon that is increasingly popular

Craft beer to the rescue: a growing phenomenon that is increasingly popular

Craft beer in Italy and around the world is no longer just a trend. In fact, if we want to be precise, beer was originally artisan and only later, with the arrival of big brands, transformed into an industrial business. Today, thanks to the hard work and great passion of many microbreweries, craft beer is experiencing significant growth, both in numbers and quality. Discover with us the story of craft beer, what differentiates it from industrial beer, and what the best bottles are.

 

Craft beer, a story passed down through the centuries

 

Beer is one of the oldest products of civilization. Historians believe that its origin could date back to 10,000 BC and they are certain that as early as 4000 BC, it was present in Europe, as evidence has been found in various countries across the continent.

 

Depending on the continent, beer was made with different ingredients. The Chinese created a beer called "Kiu" using barley, wheat, spelt, millet, and rice. In Central and South America, they used corn instead of barley.

 

Similarly, in ancient Britain, beer was produced using malted wheat as a base before the Romans introduced barley.

 

In the Middle Ages, in Belgium, monks perfected the beer production process almost to perfection and institutionalized the use of hops to give beer its bitter taste, enhancing its preservation.

 

In Nordic countries with very cold climates like Germany or England, barley grows much better than grapes, so beer production was superior to wine; this is probably one of the factors that has led these regions to become some of the largest beer producers in the world.

 

In any case, beer was born as an artisan product. Small craft beer producers can consider themselves the successors of those old masters who, without much technology and industry, were able to develop high-quality, original, and authentic beer.

 

»CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION OF CRAFT BEERS AVAILABLE«

 

Craft beer, history and growth of the Italian movement

 

It is customary to consider 1996 as the year of birth of Italian craft beer. This is a symbolic date because in that year, three producers emerged who profoundly influenced the evolution of the sector: Baladin in Piozzo (CN), Birrificio Italiano in Lurago Marinone (CO), and Birrificio Lambrate in Milan. The importance of these three companies has remained intact for over twenty years: true benchmarks in the field, recognized for their extremely high qualitative level.

 

But what is Italian craft beer? A regulation from our Parliament approved in 2016 defines craft beer as, «beer produced by small independent breweries and not subjected, during the production phase, to pasteurization and microfiltration.

 

A small independent brewery is understood to be a brewery that is legally and economically independent from any other brewery, that uses facilities physically distinct from those of any other brewery, that does not operate under license, and whose annual production does not exceed 200,000 hectoliters, including the quantities of products for third parties.»

 

It is also news from recent days regarding the establishment of the first Consortium for the Protection of Italian craft beer. An organization that will ensure the origin of raw materials, from hops to barley, and the artisanal process against the proliferation of fake craft beers and the standardization of global brands. Another goal of the Consortium will be to enhance the local production chain, creating a stronger relationship between the craft beverage and raw materials, between small beer producers and barley, hop, and other complementary raw material growers.

 

 

Craft beers, what differentiates them from industrial beers

 

Craft beer is a beer made without the addition of preservatives and is produced in small breweries in always limited quantities. Craft beer is neither pasteurized nor filtered and is the result of experimentation by small producers. The aromas and fragrances are very important, and craft beer is never the same as another, changing over time as well.

 

Industrial beer is produced through a standard procedure aimed at creating a beer with a consistently recognizable taste. It is pasteurized, meaning it is brought to a temperature of 60°C for about 20 minutes. This is done to ensure longer preservation and standardization of flavor. This is because the consumer must be able to drink the same beer in different parts of the world without the taste being altered. The same type of industrial beer must also have a homogeneous and constant color and appearance.

 

In a craft brewery, however, other factors come into play. Every time, experimentation is done and a standardization of taste cannot be guaranteed. The production process means that certain aspects must necessarily be respected for preservation: the beer must be kept at low temperatures and consumed cold, given the absence of preservatives.

 

»CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION OF CRAFT BEERS AVAILABLE«

 

Craft beers, discover the offer available on Spaghetti e Mandolino

 

Genuine, tasty, and Italian, the craft beers offered on Spaghetti e Mandolino are produced by excellent and award-winning master brewers. They are made with quality raw materials that enhance their fragrance, aiming to create a unique and unrepeatable artisan product, with aromas that evoke sensations that cannot be reproduced by large brewing industries. A few examples?

 

Among our beers are the products of Via dei Birrai, which fully embrace vegan philosophy.

 

Like the Nectar beer, dark, double malt with chestnut honey, high fermentation, and bottle-conditioned, in limited production. Or Nebra, an amber beer with double malt, high fermentation, and bottle-conditioned. And then TRE+DUE, a light blonde spicy beer with lots of hops, high fermentation, and bottle-conditioned. Unfiltered. Vegan product.

 

Another important product is from Birrificio Sorrento: the Syrentum beer. With its attractive golden color and abundant, creamy foam that clings well to the inner walls of the glass.

 

Also from Birrificio Sorrento, another amber beer is Minerva. A high fermentation beer with a compact, fine foam and good persistence.

 

For those looking for something different: quinoa beer from Altromercato, a gluten-free Blond Ale that does not make one miss traditional beers at all. Check out the numerous Italian craft beers available for sale online on the portal!

 

Francesco Scuderi

S&M  - autoreS&M
Discover
You might also be interested in

We recommend that you enjoy

 
Blanche - White craft beer 330ml
Birrificio Magis
3,70
Add to cart
 
Corsara Marzen Ambrata craft beer 500ml
Birrificio Lesster
5,10
Add to cart
 
Bart - American Pale Ale craft beer 500ml
Birrificio Magis
5,50
Add to cart
 
Bionda - Pilsener craft beer 500ml
Birrificio Magis
6,10
Add to cart
 
NEBRA craft beer 750ml
Birra 32 Via dei Birrai
15,90
Add to cart
 
La Contrabdiera Craft Beer 1000ml
Birrificio Lesster
21,90
Add to cart



Only products from excellent manufacturers Over 900 positive reviews