Posted in Articles, books and media | 2 Comments »

Here we are, it seems it is time to publish a post that I was waiting to write for some time. I can finally introduce a project I care a lot and that kept me busy in the little free time I have had in recent months. In late June it will be launched EurHop!, the first tourist guide to beer in Europe. Do you know the Lonely Planet style guides? Well, imagine if there was a similar publication, that focuses on beer and not on strictly tourist destinations of a nation. Not bad, what do you think?

When last September Marco Manieri and Marco Caria of Publigiovane illustrated me the project, wondering if I was interested in it, I was immediately enthusiastic.The idea of a guide to brewing Europe seemed me extraordinary and as the work took shape I realized how far it exceeded expectations. Now that we are at the punchline I can’t wait to get my hands on the first copies printed! At first, the guide will be available only in Italian, but we hope to have the chance to translate it also in English and other languages.

I think one of the best features of that work are the many contributions from leading names of the Italian and foreign beer movement. The most important is that of Lorenzo Dabove, better known as Kuaska, that we’ve managed to involve in the project, much to everyone’s satisfaction. He has worked on the entire big chapter on Italy and has produced other contributions, especially on his second homeland, Belgium. Another excellent signature is that of Manuele Colonna, which has enriched the guide with a lot of stories on his beer travels: they are long accounts of his experience outside Italy, with many small details that enable us to understand the brewing realities of different European countries. In my opinion one of the best qualities of EurHop! is the ability to ravish the reader and put him into worlds miles away from his own.

Many other names are involved in the draft, which you probably know: Nicola Utzeri, Davide and Monica Bertinotti, Mattia Simoni, Tomas Danko for Sweden and Dave Szwejkowsi for the North of England. And yes, I’m in as well. Personally, I edited almost all the files on beer and premises from every nation, thus contributing a good third of the content. For this reason I feel it mine in all respects, and is definitely a good feeling .

Before I mentioned the enthralling ability of EurHop!, so that I would recommend the reading even if you’re not planning a beer trip. However, it is obvious that it is best profited as a traveling companion, with beer information and most purely touristic one as well. Each chapter is forwarded by a long general part, which contains historical notes, information on tourist attractions and places where you should eat and sleep. A similar approach to that of mainstream guides, followed by a wide section on craft beer: a “narrative” report and then the cards of the best pubs, breweries and brewpubs. Here and there some curiosities, more or less from the world of beer, which contribute to enrich the journey.

As Kuaska explained introducing the guide, the selection of premises for Italy has rewarded the atmosphere that they can give to their customers above the beer selection. This principle has been observed for other European countries, thus stressing the evocative talent of each place. I think this aspect is very valuable because it provides insight into the brewing traditions of a nation and its people. At a time when in Italy there is more and more availability of imported beer, the risk is that of losing the pleasure of traveling, which is the only way to discover the traditions behind certain styles and products, and to understand the different shades of brewing nations.

EurHop! is meant for everybody: both newbies who want to know the world of foreign beers (but not only), and longtime lovers, for whom a guide to Europe is always a valuable resource. I hope the guide will please many of you and spur readers to take a beer trip, perhaps as early as next summer. Obviously, it deals with many countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and Italy of course.

As explained in the opening, the guide will be available later this month, in an alternative distribution channel: you will find it in independent bookstores, but also in the best beer venues in Italy and at beer events. The first premise where it will available is the Ma che siete venuti a fà in Rome … and could not be otherwise . In the next days I will surely say more on this, meanwhile if you need further information, please go to the official website. I hope to have raised some expectations on it .