View source for Beer in Italy

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[[File:Birra e pizza.jpg|thumb|right|In Italy, beer is considered an ideal accompaniment to [[pizza]].]]
[[Italy]] is considered to be part of the [[wine belt]] of Europe. Nevertheless, beer, particularly mass-produced [[pale lager]]s, are common in the country. It is traditionally considered to be an ideal accompaniment to [[pizza]]; since the 1970s, beer has spread from [[pizzeria]]s and has become much more popular for drinking in other situations.{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=52}}

In the seventh century BC in Sicily, the [[Phoenicia]]ns traded and consumed beer. In [[Piedmont]], [[Pombia]], [[Province of Novara]], an archaeological investigation found tombs from the [[Golasecca culture]], including a tomb from 560 BC containing traces of beer.<ref>{{cite book|title=La bionda venuta da lontano|first=Marco|last=Cattaneo|location=Milan|publisher=ilmiolibro self publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-8891063175}}</ref> [[Ancient Rome]] knew of beer and produced small amounts, but the systems of production were destroyed in various barbarian invasions.{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=47}} The first medical school, the [[Schola Medica Salernitana]], praised the substance stating that it "supports old age, flows through the veins, increases well-being, and strengthens the blood".{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=48}}

On the occasion of his wedding, [[Ludovico Sforza]] distributed beer freely to the Milanese. At this time, it was referred to in Florence as "barley wine".{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=49}} The first brewery in Italy, according to Hermes Zampollo, was "Spluga" in [[Chiavenna]], which opened in 1840. However, the company [[Wührer]] stated that its brewing commenced in [[Brescia]] in 1829.{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=52}} The first person in Italy to cultivate hops for beer brewing was {{ill|Gaetano Pasqui|it}} in 1847.<ref>{{cite book|first=Umberto|last=Pasqui|title=L'uomo della birra: l'incredibile storia della più antica 'bionda' di luppolo italiano|language=it|publisher=CartaCanta|location=Forlì|year=2010|isbn=978-88-96629-15-4}}</ref> In 1983, the country consumed {{convert|12|e6hl|e6impgal e6usgal|abbr=off}} of beer.{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=55}} As of 2010, Italy has a beer consumption of {{convert|30|L}} per capita per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brauer-bund.de/download/Archiv/PDF/statistiken/120726%20BoE%20-%20Bierproduktion%20und%20Verbrauch%20Europa%202011.pdf|title=Bierproduktion und Verbrauch Europa 2011|language=de|year=2011|publisher=Brauer-Bund|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014141/http://www.brauer-bund.de/download/Archiv/PDF/statistiken/120726%20BoE%20-%20Bierproduktion%20und%20Verbrauch%20Europa%202011.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Breweries and brands==
[[File:Nastro Azzurro.JPG|thumb|Peroni's [[Nastro Azzurro]] at a [[Venice]] café]]
One of the oldest and most widespread breweries in Italy is [[Birra Peroni|Peroni]], today owned by the [[Asahi Breweries|Asahi]] group, which also owns the popular brand [[Nastro Azzurro]].{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=52}} Other known breweries and beer brands are:{{sfn|Jackson|1998|p=52}}
* Beba
* Birra del Borgo (owned by [[InBev]])
* [[Birra Raffo]] (owned by [[Asahi Breweries|Asahi]])
* Birrificio Baladin
* Birrificio Italiano
* Castello
* Dreher (owned by [[Heineken International|Heineken]])
* [[Birra Forst|Forst]]
* [[Birra Ichnusa|Ichnusa]] (owned by Heineken)
* [[Birra Menabrea|Menabrea]] (owned by Forst)
* Birrificio Dr. Barbanera
* Birra Messina (owned by Heineken)
* [[Birrificio Lambrate]]
* Birra Morena
* [[Birra Moretti|Moretti]] (owned by Heineken)
* Opperbacco
* Birra Pedavena (owned by Castello)
* [[Peroni Brewery|Peroni]] (owned by [[Asahi Breweries|Asahi]])
* [[Birrificio Angelo Poretti|Poretti]] (owned by [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]])
* Birra Semedorato
* Toccalmatto
* Theresianer

==See also==
{{portal|Beer|Italy}}
* [[Beer and breweries by region]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
*{{cite book|title=Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo|first=Michael|last=Jackson|location=Milan|publisher=Vallardi|year=1998|isbn=88-8211-207-1}}

==External links==
*{{Cite web|url=https://qbquantobasta.it/nonsolovino/birre/la-birra-di-meni-al-daniel-di-new-york|title=Birra artigianale friulana al Daniel di New York|last=Romanutti|first=Fabiana|website=qbquantobasta.it|date=25 January 2019|language=it-it|access-date=2019-07-17}}
*{{Cite web|url=https://thehealthbeat.com/unfiltered-unpasteurized-organic-beers/|title=How to Choose the Healthiest Beer {{!}} TheHealthBeat.com|last=Swanson|first=Alex|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-17}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/udine_pay/la_birra_di_meni_sbarca_a_new_york_con_l_alta_cucina-4256926.html|title=La Birra di Meni sbarca a New York con l'alta cucina|website=www.ilgazzettino.it|date=26 January 2019|access-date=2019-07-17}}

{{Cuisine of Italy}}
{{Economy of Italy}}
{{Italy topics}}
{{Beers of the world}}

[[Category:Beer in Italy| ]]