TOPIC:

Just added to the calendar.

A craft beer expo in Italy being organised by our Italian EBCU counterparts.

More info on their website.[/url:1rujc3ka]

Interesting... not sure I can put another beer-related event in the calendar without my wife kicking me in the ass... I'll verify <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->

Anyone going? Always fancied a beer festival in Italy.

Won't make this, Rimini is a very nice place away from the beach strip.

I am going to Italy in January, particularly Parma and Bergamo and will be going here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.birratoccalmatto.it/">www.birratoccalmatto.it/ here www.tabarro.net/">www.tabarro.net/ and here www.elavbrewery.com/en/pubs/osteria-della-birra">www.elavbrewery.com/en/pubs/osteria-della-birra

Anyone been before?

Just back from a weekend in Parma and Bergamo. Visited <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.birratoccalmatto.it">www.birratoccalmatto.it in Fidenza, about 20km north of Parma. A small brewery with some very nice beers. 75cl bottles with €10, we had food in the next door restaurant which sold the beer at €12, restauranteurs take note. The pick for us was Re Hop www.birratoccalmatto.it/Birre/Dettaglio.aspx?XRI=1&Lang=ITA">www.birratoccalmatto.it/Birre/De ... 1&Lang=ITA a very good APA.

Next up was a range of beers from Birrificio del Ducato, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.birrificiodelducato.it">www.birrificiodelducato.it
These were available in various bars in and around Parma, not the cheapest at €6 for 330ml. Top picks were Ale for Obsessed a very tasty 5.4% ale and Verdi an Imperial Stout at 8.2%, this was served far too cold from the fridge was was aggressively coffee like but became more balanced when it warmed.

On to Bergamo and <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.elavbrewery.com">www.elavbrewery.com. They have a very nice brew pub in the Citta Alta in Bergamo called Osteria della Birra. All the beers here are sold in 400ml glasses (stand to be corrected) and they sell only their own brews. We sampled three beers. Grunge, a 6.3% APA which was lovely. We then tried Indie Ale a very nicely balanced ale with fruit and toffee flavours. Best was kept for last. Dark Metal is an Imperial Stout that was the universal favourite. It hid its 8.5% behind a beautiful balance of chocolate, coffee and fruit. This is effortless drinking and the best stout / porter that I've had since Ormeau by Trouble Brewing.

Very impressed with Italian beers and the obvious appetite for them by Italians. Well worth a trip.