After the great success of Grado Plato’s Chocarrubica at the recent Mondial de la Bière, another international competition prized Italian brewing scenario. Italy cornered medals at the European Beer Star, one of the most important craft beer competitions in the world. A total of seven placings for Italian beers: two gold medals, three silver and two bronze, for a loot unimaginable until a few years ago. The first success was in fact only one in 2008, with the gold of the Birrificio del Ducato of Verdi Imperial Stout , which was followed by three medals in 2009. Although last year Italy did not get a gold, I interpreted the increase in total placing as a sign of growth of the Italian movement, growth that is strongly supported by the results of the 2010 edition of this competition.
Nov
15
'10Italy among the stars of the EBS 2010
Sep
27
'10Beery appointments at Salone del Gusto 2010
As everyone should already know, the eighth edition of the Salone del Gusto will be held in Turin from October 21st to 25th, 2010. According to an established tradition, the beer will be one of the “food” protagonists of the event, a detail confirmed by the controversy roused last July on the disposal of the brewers’ stands (for a review read the post I wrote in Italian). Beyond the logistical issues, I think it is interesting to find out what events will focus on our favorite beverage.
Aug
24
'10Hungary’s First Craft-Beer Festival
UPDATE: unfortunately, Főzdefeszt had to be postponed at the last minute to the spring of 2011, due to the gloomy weather forecasts, and some financial reasons.
Hungary will host its first craft-beer festival: Főzdefeszt – Első Hazai Kézműves Sörfesztivál. The festival will be held on 24-25 September, 2010 in Budapest, on the corner of the streets Nagymező and Király, on Budapest’s Broadway. The aim is to showcase the unknown achievements of Hungarian craft-beer, that has been largely overlooked until now, due to Hungary’s primary classification as a wine-country.
Jul
22
'10Italian beers at GBBF 2010
Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th, Aug. the Earls Court fair ground in London will host the 2010 edition of the Great British Beer Festival, the most important European exhibition on craft beer. Needless to write for the umpteenth time what this awesome event is, so if you’re interested you can see the official website of the event.
Jul
7
'10Sam Calagione @ Open Baladin in Rome: my report
Sam Calagione and Kuaska
It’s not an every day opportunity to attend an event with Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head and one of the most important beer personalities in the world – at least as far as brewing itself is concerned. So last week I seize the opportunity to participate the event organized at Open Baladin, which had starring the aforementioned U.S. brewer and the two landlords: Teo Musso of Baladin and Leonardo Di Vincenzo of Birra del Borgo. Leading the dance a lively as ever Lorenzo “Kuaska” Dabove, a perfect compere.
Jun
15
'10The Loverbeer brewery triumphs at Artebirra Pasturana
The last weekend Artebirra, an Italian historical beer event, was held in Pasturana (AL). As usual, linked to the festival the Miss Pasturana contest was called, which aims to reward the most deserving among the many tap beers available. Yesterday the official blog of Artebirra published the results of the competition, sanctioning the triumph of a newcomer brewery: Loverbeer.
Jun
14
'10Italy leading the International Beer Challenge
The International Beer Challenge is one of the most important competitions on beer, at its fourteenth edition. It stands out for the prestige of the judges involved: in addition to Jeff Evans, chief judge, we find famous names (Pete Brown, Ron Pattison), including Italians Stefano Cossi and Matteo Milan. Today we comment upon the outcome of the contest. They smile on Italian breweries.
Jun
3
'10Brewer of the Year 2010: my report
Nicola Utzeri and Nicola Perra
In recent days Nicola Perra, Barley brewery founder and head brewer, has won the Brewer of the Year award held by online magazine Fermento Birra. The official awarding ceremony was held at the Open Baladin in Rome, during which it was possible to taste the beers of the Sardinian brewer paired with some seafood dishes. The evening was hosted by Kuaska, in the presence of Perra, Nicola Utzeri of Fermento Birra and lots of other friends.
Apr
30
'10Pils passion: Pils Pride is back
As every year in May one of the most original beer event in Italy is back: the Pils Pride. A event hosted by Birrificio Italiano of Lurago Marinone (Co), focused on a single beer style. The aim is to discover, trough the thirteen beers available on tap, the real nature of a beer style which over time has been altered and diluted by industrial brews. So, if you are a Pils lover or if you just want to experience all the different expressions of the style, Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 Birrificio Italiano is the place to be.
Apr
21
'10Two international beer events shortly: Vilvoorde and Ølfestival
Every year in this period a major beer event is planned in Belgium, the Vilvoorde BierproefFestival. In its fifteenth edition, the event will be held Saturday, April 24 at the Erasmus campus in Jette, a suburb northwest of Brussels. There will be 89 beers from around the world, with an obvious large selection from Belgium (73), and beers brewed in Denmark, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, USA and Italy.
