From great wine makers to craft beer masters

When in 2008 Slow food began publishing a craft beer guide, the microbreweries phenomenon had already begun, but not yet exploded in the striking manner seen in the following years. As a matter of fact, the beer guide's first edition featured 127 companies and 354 beers; the fifth - presented recently in Saluzzo at C'è Fermento craft beer event - mentions 512 companies and has reviews for 2,708 beers. The 70 contributors to the guide toured Italy far and wide and visited more than 800 breweries.

Craft beer's quality in Italy has made great strides, moving from an experimental approach to more awareness and knowledge that earned regions like Piedmont the respect of countries with historical beer tradition.

The 2017 edition of the Italian Beer Guide is on sale at €16.50 and is by far the most comprehensive guide of Italian beer. One can discover the most peculiar products, be pleasantly surprised by their connection to the land and its cultural identity.

As Piedmont is in fact a region of strong, solid and high-quality craft beer producers, those breweries that have achieved awards by the Slow Food Guide as best Italian beers are definitely worth mentioning :

Elvo – Graglia (BI)

LoverBeer – Marentino (TO)

Montegioco – Montegioco (AL)

Baladin – Piozzo (CN)

Croce di Malto – Trecate (NO)

Troll – Vernante (CN)

Beba – Villar Perosa (TO)

With such a glamorous list, a beer tasting trip in Piedmont's beautiful countryside is simply a must.