IN BREVE
- The conference in Lurago Marinone celebrated 30 years of Italian craft beer, analyzing its origins and the evolution of the craft movement.
- Among the pioneers is Agostino Arioli, founder of Birrificio Italiano, who emphasizes the importance of community in craft beer.
- The new Amber Shock 30 beer was presented, commemorating the 30th anniversary, featuring a malt profile and 7% alcohol content.
- Celebrations will include the Birrificio Italiano Festival on June 5-7 in Lomazzo, featuring events and tastings.
- Founded in 1996, Birrificio Italiano focuses on freshness and quality, producing approximately 7,000 hectoliters annually and innovating with styles like the Italian Pilsner.
The conference “History, evolution, and future of Italian craft beer. 30 years of Birrificio Italiano, 30 years of Italian craft beer” took place in the Council Chamber of the Municipality of Lurago Marinone. An institutional event that brought together key players and industry observers to retrace three decades of the craft movement’s development in the country.
At the heart of the meeting were the origins of Italian craft beer and the role of the pioneers. Among these, in addition to Agostino Arioli (founder of Birrificio Italiano), were entities such as Baladin, Beba, Lambrate, and Centrale della Birra. Significant space was dedicated to homebrewing, considered a foundational phase of the sector, capable of generating the skills and passion that later flowed into professional production.
The perspective also extended beyond national borders, with international contributions and a focus on the evolution of the Italian Pils style, which is increasingly recognized abroad.
PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE SECTOR
The second part of the conference hosted the round table “Present and future of craft beer,” moderated by Alessandra Agrestini, author of the book “Di cotte e di crude. 30 anni di birra artigianale italiana.” Participants included representatives from associations, distribution, critics, and production.
When asked about the meaning of the anniversary, Agostino Arioli stated: “Not even in my best dreams as a young man did all this happen. So many hops, so many beers, travels, and above all, so many people met. Wonderful people, enthusiastic and proud of their belonging because yes, beer like ours is a belief, a philosophy, and not just a product!”
“Our ‘marketing’,” Arioli added, “is never being ashamed to tell our dreams and our boundless love for what we do. Not only that, it is also the satisfaction of having paved a way that today is a great brewing movement with a strong Italian identity, and still today not having lost the imagination to create and the desire to dream.”
AMBER SHOCK 30, LIMITED EDITION
For the thirtieth anniversary, Amber Shock 30 was created, a reinterpretation of the historic recipe developed by Arioli during his homebrewing years. It is a bottom-fermented beer with an alcohol content of 7%, produced according to an ancestral method involving bottle re-fermentation without added sugars.
The sensory profile is built on malt notes, with hints of blood orange zest, toffee, ripe apple, and light nuances of coffee. Production is limited to 850 bottles. Distribution began on April 9 in the brewery’s premises and at the Limido Comasco point of sale.
FESTIVALS AND APPOINTMENTS
Celebrations will continue with the Birrificio Italiano Festival, scheduled for June 5, 6, and 7 in Lomazzo. There will be 45 taps, an area dedicated to pilsners, spaces for international guest breweries, and a complete selection of internal production. Events also include a mountain appointment on September 12 and 13 at Piani di Artavaggio, with excursions, tastings, and live music.
THE ORIGINS OF BIRRIFICIO ITALIANO
Founded in 1996 in Lurago Marinone, Birrificio Italiano was born from the experience of Agostino Arioli, a brewing enthusiast since his youth. After studying agriculture and gaining training experience in Italy, Germany, and North America, Arioli launched the first brewpub in Lombardy.
The production philosophy is based on freshness and product integrity: no invasive treatments and limited distribution to ensure quality. Current production stands at around 7,000 hectoliters per year.
Among the signature creations is Tipopils, considered the progenitor of the Italian Pilsner style. Introduced in 1996, it combines traditional techniques with innovations such as keg dry hopping, contributing to the definition of an Italian identity in the brewing landscape.
EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENTS
In 2012, production moved to Limido Comasco to support growth. In the following years, new lines arrived, including IPAs, sour beers, barrel aging, and Italian Grape Ales. At the same time, international collaborations and projects such as Pils Pride and Pils&Love USA were developed. In 2024, the Birrificio Italiano Spirits line was launched. In January 2026, Arioli and Maurizio Folli received the Brewer of the Year award, a recognition that is part of the thirtieth-anniversary celebrations.
THE ORGANIZATION TODAY
Today, Arioli is president and plant director. Working with him are Maurizio Folli, head of production, and Giulio Marini, leading the laboratory and administrative area. The company has two taprooms, in Lurago Marinone and Milan, and maintains a production structure oriented toward quality and consistency with the original vision.
