Beer in Italy

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Italy is considered to be part of the wine belt of Europe. Nevertheless, beer, particularly mass-produced pale lagers, are common in the country. It is traditionally considered to be an ideal accompaniment to pizza; since the 1970s, beer has spread from pizzerias and has become much more popular for drinking in other situations.[1]

In the seventh century BC in Sicily, the Phoenicians 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.[2] Ancient Rome knew of beer and produced small amounts, but the systems of production were destroyed in various barbarian invasions.[3] 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."[4]

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".[5] 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.[1] The first person in Italy to cultivate hops for beer brewing was Gaetano Pasqui in 1847.[6] In 1983, the country consumed 12 million hectoliters of beer.[7] As of 2010, Italy has a beer consumption of 30 litres per capita per year.[8]

Breweries and brands[edit]

Peroni's Nastro Azzurro at a Venice café

One of the oldest and most widespread breweries in Italy is Peroni, today owned by the SABMiller group, which also owns the popular brand Nastro Azzurro.[1] Other known breweries and beer brands are:[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Michael Jackson (1998). Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo. Milan: Vallardi. p. 52. ISBN 9788882112073. 
  2. ^ Marco Cattaneo (2013). La bionda venuta da lontano. Milan. 
  3. ^ Michael Jackson (1998). Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo. Milan: Vallardi. p. 47. ISBN 9788882112073. 
  4. ^ Michael Jackson (1998). Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo. Milan: Vallardi. p. 48. ISBN 9788882112073. 
  5. ^ Michael Jackson (1998). Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo. Milan: Vallardi. p. 49. ISBN 9788882112073. 
  6. ^ Umberto Pasqui (2010). L'uomo della birra. Forlì: CartaCanta Editore. 
  7. ^ Michael Jackson (1998). Le birre: oltre 600 marche e produttori di tutto il mondo. Milan: Vallardi. p. 55. ISBN 9788882112073. 
  8. ^ "Beer Statistics, 2010" (PDF). Brauer-Bund. 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2015. 
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