26/12/2000: HOMEBREWER'S X-MAS: the results!

The first italian beer competition has been held in Lurago Marinone (CO), at the Birrificio Italiano brewpub. The winner was Davide Bertinotti, whose barley wine made all the judges agree. Second place to Francesco Ragazzini (Duvel-style belgian ale) and third place to Massimo Faraggi (that is myself) with its triple. The very competent jury was headed by Lorenzo Dabove a.k.a Kuaska.
More infos here: www.hobbybirra.it/xmas.htm.

27/11/2000: New online beer shop

The first italian online-only beer shop (selling international beers) has recently opened: Abbatya.
The shop has its own indipendent site, but is born out of Esperya (italian food & wine online shop) and shares with it the logistic organization.

27/11/2000: HOMEBREWER'S X-MAS!

Just a few days for the first italian beer competition! It will happen in Lurago Marinone (CO), at the Birrificio Italiano brewpub, and it will be focused on Xmas beers. More infos and photos here: www.hobbybirra.it/xmas.htm.

04/11/2000: Samichlaus is back! A Classic disappears, another Classic comes back. Samichlaus was produced for the last time on December, 6th 1996, to be bottled and sold (as usual) one year later. That was the last batch of the beer, before it was sentenced "out of production" by Feldschlossen, new owner of Hurlimann.
At last a new brewer for this extra strong lager has been found: Eggenberger, good Austrian brewery already specialized in high gravity lagers, to whom Feldschlossen has given the trademark and the recipe.
You can find more infos on the Eggenberger site; have a look also at the article in the old news we published at the time.

01/11/2000: End of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy's Ale is the last victim among the Classic beer that have been axed. Since a few years it was produced not by Elridge but by another brewery (Thomas Hardy's Brewery) under Elridge's control. In July an important US importer, asking for the 2000 vintage, was answered that production oh T.H. was ended (we don't know if permanently) because of changes in managing or ownership in Elridge's. They are looking for a solution, but now it is clear that at least the vintage 2000 will not be available.
More news here.

01/07/2000: Beer Events in July 2000

Many beer events in this hot July 2000
The first one is almost over, unluckily it has not been possible to advertise it in the news before: in Feltre (BL), from 29/6 to 2/7, included in the Craft Show, a Beer Show is being held: exposition of old tradinional brewery equipment, tasting of homebrewed beers, production demonstration and more.

On July 14, at Osteria Scciancalegn via Virgiliana 221 - Bondeno (FE) there will be an appetizing and interesting beer dinner, featuring beers of some of the best italian micro's, including some brand new products. The evening will be conducted by tireless Lorenzo Dabove, better known as KUASKA.
Booking tel: 0532-892469
See www.cyberfest.org/sccianca/index.html and the newsgroup it.hobby.birra for details.

Just following on, a very full beer weekend at Baladin Brewpub: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 a practical stage of beer production held by a german brewer, arrived in Piozzo for this event; the stage has to be booked and payed for, see www.birreria.com
On Sunday a spectacular show of public beer production according to traditional methods; on the afternoon, meeting of italian homebrewers with tasting of some of their products.

Another don't miss event is proposed by the Birrificio Italiano of Lurago Marinone (CO): an unusual and interesting "beer experience", during which a few beers will be tasted, trying at the same time some of their key elements (unfermented wort, hops etc). This will be on July 18, look at www.birrificio.it for details.

For other important beer events from September and afterwards, watch the news!

02/03/2000: Rodenbach in danger? Here are the rumours

Some news have recently alarmed the enthusiast of these flemish sour beers. Palm, a medium-big belgian brewery, has recently acquired Rodenbach, and soon these news have come out:
- Immediate stop to production of Alexander, the cherry-flavoured variation
- One year "trial period" for Gran Cru
- Possible recipe change for Rodenbach standard

After complaints of beer lovers, Palm made an announcement in order to clarify things. First, Palm wants to make clear that it is thanks to their acquisition that the beers will survive, because of the financial problems of Rodenbach.
The production stop of Alexander is confirmed, as Palm regards this as a quite less tipical and important product then the others (and here a few experts agree); while it is assured the survival and even the relaunch of the other two products.

Who can we believe? Time will tell, in the meantime... be careful, and look for some Rodenbach to buy and keep!

02/03/2000: Beer stages held by microbreweries

At the Birrificio Italiano in Lurago Marinone (CO) will be held the third edition of the Stage:

Una passione, una cultura, una tecnologia: la birra!!

1. Monday 20 march
2. Monday 27 march
3. Monday 10 april
4. Monday 17 april

Start time will be 8 p.m. The cost is Lit. 60.000 to be paid at inscription time. The stage will be held by Lorenzo Dabove alias KUASKA. In the free week wil be held the celebration for the Brewery Anniversary

A similar stage will ne held in 4, 5, e 6 May at Baladin in Piozzo.
You can find addresses of the breweries and of Unionbirrai in my "Guide to Micros" page.

10-01-99: Pianeta Birra (Planet Beer) Fair in Rimini

It's the most important italian Beer Fair. Breweries (including micros) equipment suppliers etc. will be attending the fair, together with international beer experts. More informations here:
http://www.fierarimini.it/pbirra/italiano/index.html

-Op. days: 5/8 February 2000

[thanks to Alessandro on it.hobby.birra for the informations]

Created by Massimo Faraggi