Italian beer?

Check out Panil Barriquée. IMHO it's a more authentic Flanders Red than anything currently being made in Flanders (or most anywhere else, for that matter). NB: For sour beer enthusiasts only!

 

I've been noticing this at the better shops in my area too. Haven't tried many but Birra Del Borgo is making some good stuff, try the Duchessic if you can (a lovely blend of their saison with some 1 year old Cantillon lambic!)

 

Agree that Panil Barriquee Sour Red is absolutely excellent, had a 6 year old bottle, tasted like tart apple juice and funky yeast. Amazing.

Also check out Baladin, their Nora Sour edition, as well as Duchessic, if you're lucky enough to see it on shelves, are absolutely excellent. Italian beers have been growing steadily the past 3-5 years, and are an often overlooked European Beer presence.

[EDIT] As afrokaze mentioned, Del Borgo is also excellent.

 

Tipo Pils!

 

Italian beer is actually really good (at least the stuff that comes to the states).

I recently had Verdi Imperial Stout - it's the closest thing to Hunahpu's that I've ever had. (The flavors are there, it's just not as thick and strong.)

 

I'm wondering if this is a case of getting on the bandwagon and are we going to see more 'craft' type beers from other countries that aren't necessarily known for producing good beer. Couldn't hurt since competition, in many cases, serves to keep everybody on the level.

 

I spent some time in Italy this summer and did a lot of digging around. Predictably, the sours are where it's at.

As mentioned, Panil Barrique is great -- so is Panil Enhanced. All the LoverBeer sours are above average, though not at Panil's level. LoverBeer & Panil are nice in that they basically concentrate on sours. The breweries like Borgo or Brewfist are -- in my opinion -- basically making second-rate versions of IPAs, APAs, saisons and the like. (I should mention that I didn't try Borgo's Duchessic, which is apparently their best.)

There's really no need to buy an Italian saison or hop-forward beer in America, given the options available to most of us. If you see a Panil... worth the plunge.

 

I saw this and bailed because I've never heard of it. I shoulda snagged it, around 20 bucks.

 

Agreed on the Panil Barrique and Baladin... really interesting stuff. The only thing preventing me from trying more Italian beers is the price tags.

 

I haven't been tempted to buy italian beers because I've had beer in Italy......

 

No, and not Moretti either. Unless it's this one: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10161/871
Not in town anymore.

 

if you tried Piccolo Birrificio Sessonette, a saison with chinotto peel, you might change your mind on that!

 

Baladin makes some of the best barleywines in the world, IMO: the Xyauyu series. The oxidation method used to make these beers is top notch (although I haven't had Oro yet...).

 

Where to begin?

It is known that Italy may not be a beer country historically, but our mentality of crafting passionate products shines through, so this is why I do stand up for Italian craft.

I have said it many times as well: Italian beer is crafted with italian herbs and fruits not too familiar with other regional palates. Chinotto, gentian root, and other herbs I cannot think of can be used.

I have enjoyed Birra Del Borgo, Baladin, Birrificio Del Ducato, Almond 22, Birrificio Bruton, Piccolo Birrificio and Birrificio Montegioco. I might be missing some...

This is where I personally go bunkers for when it comes to craft beer. I truly believe that the Italian craft movement will really explode, and as I said above, if you can truly believe the we Italians make great things, beer can be one of those. Gentlemen and ladies, believe because I do!

 

Loverbeer, Almond 22......

 

My local shop had four on the shelf (2005 vintage) for $19.99. Finally they marked it down to $14.99 and I grabbed three of them. Didn't want to be greedy ;-) I'll bet that fourth bottle is still there over a month later. Hmmm, I think I know where I'm going during my lunch break today. :-)

 

That's funny, because I can remember when I'd tried all the best selling beers in the US (Bud, Miller, Coors) and didn't want to try any more US beers either.

 

Absolutely an excellent beer, good call! This is in my top 5 favorite beers of all time.