Sample 6-Day Tour Itinerary:
Note: We are always striving to offer you the best experience possible.
Each tour will be a little different and we will do everything we can to
ensure each tour provides the best Italian beer journey we can offer.
Day 1 (Monday)
Birrificio Italiano (Lurago Marinone) – Lunch & Brewery Tour
On April 3, 1996 the Italian craft beer movement was launched from this very site. Brewer
Agostino Arioli created Tipopils, the first Italian-style beer. This hop-forward pilsner went on to inspire other Italian breweries and eventually reach across the ocean to influence breweries like Firestone Walker with their Pivo pilsner. Agostino and his brother Stefano will offer you a range of award-winning beers at this historical location.
Birrificio Vetra (Caronno Pertusella) – Brewery Tour & Tasting
Stefano Simonelli worked at Birrificio Italiano and learned much from the master, Agostino. He set off on his own in late-2016 to explore new opportunities. During his time at Birrificio Italiano he made a name for himself as an expert creative brewer. We will draw straight from the tanks to see what he is up to. We're certain it'll be great.
Birrificio Lambrate New Pub (Milan) – Dinner
We wrap up day one of our Italian beer adventure at one of the pioneering breweries in the heart of Milan. Here two brothers, Davide and Giampaolo Sangiorgi, set a course into the unknown. Their crew included their friends Fabio, Alessandra and Paolo. The young troop, all in their early 20's, helped usher Italy into the modern world of great craft beer. We rendevous in Milan at Lambrate's spacious new location, an ideal way to cap off a great day of beer and food. We will spend the night at the wonderful Echo Milano hotel.
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Day 1 (Tuesday)
Birrificio Stradaregina (Vigevano) – Lunch & Brewery Tour
We eat lunch at La Piadineria in the heart of Vigevano. Think sandwiches stuffed with tasty morsels of Italian creativity.
From there it is a short drive to Birrificio Stradaregina who got started in 2014 and quickly developed a reputation for delicious, innovative brews. From IPA's to Lambics, you'll come to learn why with every sip at an exclusive tasting with Alessio and Andrea.
Birrificio Grado Plato (Chieri) – Brewpub Dinner
Gabriele Ormea is Italy's first brewer protégé, an incredibly gifted brewer with a keen eye for pairing beer with food. At Grado Plato relive a moment Paul and I shared while researching the book, eating together as Italians do every night, savoring well-crafted food along with well-crafted beer. We will spend the night at the Park Hotel, which is right next door to the pub.
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Day 3 (Wednesday)
Le Baladin (Piozzo) – Lunch at original pub in Piozzo
Pioneer, Teo Musso's innovative approach to beer and marketing brought Italian craft beer into its own. One of Italy's best known brands, Baladin's original location offers a firsthand look at where Italy's beer culture all got started.
Birra Baladin (Piozzo) – Brewery Tour
Baladin is one of Italy's largest craft breweries, but it doesn't sacrifice the artisanal spirit. You will be one of the few in the world to witness how skilled an artisanal brewer Teo and his crew truly are at his modern brewery with an exclusive tour not open to the public.
Free evening in Turin.
There is a lot to explore in this ancient city. A great place for a stroll withe plenty of regional dining choices and a sea of delicious wine. We are in Piedmont, after all.
Day 4 (Thursday)
Free morning in Turin.
There is a lot to explore in this northwestern city. We highly recommend a Bicerín from Café Al Bicerín. This rich combination of espresso and chocolate will make you want to have two, but we suggest sticking with one.
Birrificio Montegioco (Montegioco) – Brewery Tour
Riccardo Franzosi is one of the world's finest brewers. His small selection of beers takes time and patience. Each beer at Montegioco is treated like a pampered guest and so will you as we head to the hills of Montegioco located on the border of the regions of Piedmont, Liguria and Lombardy for a mouthwatering delight of finely crafted beers.
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Brewfist (Piacenza) – Dinner & Brewery Tour
Brewer Pietro Di Pilato is a new comer to the scene, but Pietro started with essential ingredients, great beer and one of Italy's largest brewing systems. We'll share his fantastic, more American-style, beers at their pub called Terminal 1. Afterward, we head to Parma to spend the night at the beautiful Du Parc Hotel.
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Day 5 (Friday)
Birrificio Del Ducato (Roncole Verdi) – Lunch & Brewery Tour
Off to historic Roncole Verdi where the Maestro Giuseppe Verdi was born, we find a great brewer and maestro himself, Giovanni Campari. Giovanni's brewery, Del Ducato, is Italy's most award-winning brewery. Right down the street from the brewery is a wonderful restaurant serving the traditional cuisine of Parma; think prosciutto and parmesean cheese.
Toccalmatto (Fidenza) – Tasting & Brewery Tour
Bruno Carilli is one of the most influential brewers in Italy. His love for hoppy beer and enthusiasm for collaborations has extended the reach of Italian craft beer. Never short of words, here is a chance to learn what this scene is all about straight from one of the best.
Free eveing in Parma.
Explore the narrow lanes of the old town or join us at Kikko for some Italian craft beer.
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Day 6 (Saturday)
Scott Duff Pub (Milan) – Lunch
Bringing it back to where our journey started, we will visit Milan's Scott Duff Pub. With tap beers, plenty of bottles and wonderful food you're sure to leave with great memories.
Milan Bottle Shops
Of course, now that you've drank some of your cellar beers at the hotel or on the road (who can blame you?), replenish at the best bottle shops in Milan.
Lambiczoon (Milan) – Farewell Dinner
After this exclusive experience at some of Italy's most important breweries, you will want to compare them to some of your old favorites. Along with some of the finest Italian beer, Lambiczoon has many of the Belgian and German classics. Naturally, some of the great lambics are included in this selection. So, let's relax and share one last great beer together and enjoy a night among new and old friends.
Birrificio Lambrate (Milan) – Post-Dinner Fun
We know just one visit to Lambrate isn't going to cut it. Winners of several national and international awards Birrificio Lambrate's tiny original pub is a welcoming place to end our journey. Lambrate typically has 12-15 beers on tap, so take your time to finish where you started on day one. Here, the Italian craft beer movement found its Cheers! To complete the circle, we stay once again at the beautiful Echo Milano Hotel.
Beré! Mangiare! Beré un pó di piú!
We hope you will join us, it's such a great time.
Cin cin,
Paul & Bryan
P.S. Locations and times are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We require a minimum of 4 people to run a tour.