Birra Artigianale Bergamo - Craft Beer in Bergamo

Craft Beer in Bergamo: a local and ancient tradition

The City Outside Bergamo Food and Wine

24 April 2025

In the last few years, craft beer has experienced a real boom in popularity in Italy, thanks to the appearance of many small independent breweries that have chosen to focus on quality, on the use of selected ingredients and on the originality of the recipes.

Unlike industrial beer, craft beer is neither pasteurised nor microfiltered, which preserves the richness of its aromas, freshness and complexity of taste. In this context, the province of Bergamo stands out as a particularly rich territory for craft beer, thanks to the presence of several innovative breweries.

The combination of the rich local gastronomic tradition and the creativity of the master brewers of the Bergamo breweries has given rise to a lively and constantly evolving scene, capable of attracting the interest of enthusiasts from all over Italy and from abroad as well.

Craft Breweries in Bergamo and its Province

Each brewery in Bergamo and its province tells a different story, made up of experimentation, connections with the territory and often also references to the Northern European brewing tradition.

The result is a great variety of styles, aromas and flavours that can satisfy even the most demanding palates: from light and citrusy blanches to robust and roasted stouts, from hoppy IPAs to spicy saisons, there is something for everyone. Let’s discover the best breweries in Bergamo together.

Birra Orobia (Gorle)

Orobia is a historic beer brand in Bergamo, and it has its roots in 1879, when Heinrich von Wunster founded the Seriate brewery in the municipality bearing the same name. In 1936, the brewery was moved to Bergamo and renamed Birra Orobia. In 2011, Alberto von Wunster, great-grandson of the founder, decided to take up the family tradition, re-launching the Orobia brand with the production of craft beer, after having obtained a brewery diploma in Munich and after several years of experience at the Menabrea brewery in Biella.

There are four Orobia craft beers on the market today: Blanche (5.5% vol.), a top-fermented beer with fruity notes; Doppio Malto (7.5% vol.), unpasteurised and unfiltered with an intense flavour; Bionda (5.2% vol.), a bottom-fermented lager brewed with German malts and hops, with a pleasant bitter aftertaste; Rossa (6% vol.), fermented with a Belgian yeast that gives it a very distinctive fruity aroma.

Hammer (Villa d’Adda)

Founded in 2015 by the Brigati family, Birrificio Hammer has quickly established a reputation for producing quality beers. Its creations include Keller Pils, a pilsner with a clean and refreshing taste, and Wave Runner, an aromatic and intense IPA, an excellent example of craft beer from Bergamo. The Birrificio Hammer is located in Villa d’Adda, about 25 km from the capital.

Otus (Seriate)

Located in Seriate, Birrificio Otus offers a range of craft beers from Blanche Side B to American IPA Australe, from Oatmeal Stout Ambranera to Belgian Golden Strong Ale Miele di Luna. The focus on quality and innovation makes this company a reference point for enthusiasts. Since 2021 Otus has also been cultivating the barley used for its beers. The name Otus comes from Latin and it indicates a species of nocturnal birds of prey, so it is no coincidence that the Owl has become the logo and emblem of this beer, a charismatic animal with a menacing and angry gaze that accompanies every label and every bottle, and that represents wisdom, intuition and the ability to see beyond darkness.

Endorama (Grassobbio)

Founded in 2010, the Grassobbio-based Endorama brand is known for its production of the delicious Bergamo craft beer La Ciara, which combines tradition and creativity. The products of this brewery, which are also eye-catching in their graphics, stand out for the balance of flavours and the use of selected ingredients.

Via Priula (San Pellegrino Terme)

The Birrificio Via Priula, located in San Pellegrino Terme, is appreciated for its beers that recall the brewing tradition of Northern Europe. It offers a variety of styles, including the amber Bacio, the dark Camoz and the blonde Corna Bianca. The name of the brewery refers to an ancient road that crossed the Orobian Pre-Alps, which was particularly important for the movement of goods, people and ideas back and forth with Northern Europe.

HopSkin (Curno)

HopSkin is a brewery in Bergamo that stands out for its production of unfiltered and pasteurised craft beers. The first home brewing started in 2010 and since 2013 the hops have been grown in-house. The range includes beers that will satisfy both traditional palates and those in search of new flavours: from the Mexican Lager Yalit, to the Belgian Blonde Troppo Toosten, to the creative Christmas Winter Apricoat Ale.

Birrificio Sguaraunda (Pagazzano)

Agribirrificio Sguaraunda is a craft brewery founded in 2003 in Pagazzano, in the Bergamo plain, a few steps from the medieval castle. It was the first brewery in Bergamo and one of the pioneers of craft beer in Italy. Since 2018, Sguaraunda has been brewing barley and hops directly, with a range of 13 labels, some of them seasonal, including Murator, a beer that combines the bitterness of chestnut honey with the sweetness of barley malt; and La Bergamasca, an organic beer that reflects and expresses the link with the territory.

Birrificio Maspy (Ponte San Pietro)

This brewery in the province of Bergamo was founded in 2007 by Maurizio Pirovani and Miriam Foli and its range of labels combines German, British and Belgian brewing traditions. This brewery specialises in the production of lager beers and has also achieved excellent sales outside Italy, in countries such as Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

QuBeer (Montello)

The name QuBeer stands for ‘Quality Beer’, reflecting the company’s commitment to the production of high-quality craft beers from Bergamo, with particular attention to the selection of raw materials. The structure of the brewery is designed with large windows that allow visitors to observe the production stages directly. Among their beers there is the Bohemian Pilsner, which won a gold medal at the Brussels Beer Challenge 2020. The company also produces Beerstillato, an innovative beer distillate made in collaboration with the famous Capovilla distillery in Vicenza.

Birrificio Valcavallina (Endine Gaiano)

This artisanal microbrewery is located in a former spinning mill dating back to the early 20th century, which was renovated in order to house the production plant. It was founded in 2009 by Renato Carro and his wife Pon Khitdeejing, driven by their passion for Belgian beers and experience in homebrewing. Among the main beers they produce here, there is the Sun Flower, a golden ale, light, bitter and aromatic.

Italy’s largest brewery is in the province of Bergamo

In addition to the many craft breweries, the province is also one of the few Italian regions where the beer of the international giant Heineken is produced. The Heineken brewery in Bergamo, located in Comun Nuovo to be precise, is one of the company’s four locations in Italy and, with an annual production of over 3 million hectolitres of this delicious golden drink, is the largest brewery in Italy.

The company pays a great deal of attention to sustainability: 3,984 photovoltaic panels were installed in 2012, in 2017 it obtained the Total Productive Management certification, and in 2023 the site reduced its Co2 emissions by 450 tonnes and saved 1,600,000 hectolitres of water compared to the previous year.

Where to taste and buy craft beer in and around Bergamo

Craft beer is particularly popular in Bergamo, and the creations of local breweries and other producers from all over Italy can be tasted or purchased in several places and shops, including the following ones.

In the province of Bergamo

Passione Birra (Via Provinciale 246, Alzano Lombardo). A beer shop offering a wide selection of Italian and international craft beers. The shop is open from Tuesday to Friday from 3.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to midday and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Enoteca Gaudes (Via Marconi 1, Torre de’ Roveri). A shop that sells the beers of the Otus craft brewery to the public. It also offers home delivery at special prices.

Would you like to learn more about the breweries we mentioned and taste a craft beer in Bergamo while continuing to explore the authentic local flavors? This is the perfect time to discover the city in a whole new light! Book a Tuk Tuk Tour and let yourself be taken to one of the breweries listed below—an original and eco-friendly way to enjoy the area’s finest craft beers!

Craft Beer With Bergamo By Tuk Tuk

In Bergamo

Beer Garage (Via Borgo Santa Caterina 36, Bergamo). Classic pub with an intimate atmosphere, specialising in craft beers that change with the season.
Birreria Bevero (Via Quarenghi 21/F, Bergamo). Located in the Lower Town, it offers its own craft beers to accompany a selection of dishes that includes gourmet burgers and salami and cheese boards.
Birreria di Città Alta (Via Gombito 1, Bergamo). Historical and cosy place where you can enjoy excellent craft beers and typical dishes in a lively atmosphere. Perfect for a break surrounded by the beauty of the medieval centre.
Fly Pub (Via Gombito 28, Bergamo). In this pub you can find beer brewed by the Birrificio Maspy in Ponte San Pietro, there are six rotating beer spouts.
Pozzo Bianco (Via Porta Dipinta 30B, Bergamo). Not only beer, but excellent home cuisine with specialties from Bergamo and other areas too.
Il Dispensario Beerstrot (Piazza Lorenzo Mascheroni 1/C, Bergamo). The Dispensario Beerstrot is a brewery with a unique personality, where a passion for craft beers is combined with fine, creative cuisine. A cosy atmosphere and an innovative selection will make every visit an experience to be savoured.
Pub dell’Angelo (Via S. Lorenzo 4/A, Bergamo). The Pub dell’Angelo, in the heart of Bergamo, is a reference point for beer lovers and it has the authentic atmosphere of an English pub. A wide selection of draught beers, tasty dishes and convivial evenings in a warm and welcoming environment.
The Tucans Pub (Via Donizetti 25A, Bergamo). Tucans is a modern and lively brewery in Bergamo, ideal for those who are looking for excellent craft beers, original cocktails and quality street food. A colourful and dynamic venue, perfect for informal and fun evenings.

Craft Beer Fairs and Events in Bergamo

Bergamo hosts several events dedicated to craft beer, including:

Original Bier Fest: with its slogan ‘the only true craft beer fair in Bergamo’, this event takes place between late spring and early summer in several locations in the province, including Spazio Fase in Alzano Lombardo, offering live music and a great selection of craft beers.

Festa della Birra Belga (Belgian Beer Festival): on the 30th and 31st of May 2025, the town of Alzano Lombardo will be transformed into the venue for this must-go event for Belgian beer lovers, with a vast selection of draught and bottled beers, tasting workshops led by experts, and a food area with Belgian and international specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to taste the famous Leffe beer in Bergamo.

These events represent an essential opportunity to discover all the intense nuances of Bergamo’s craft beer, to be surrounded by the richness of the local brewing and to experience moments of conviviality characterised by quality.

Bergamo Beer – Its Origins

The village of Cornello dei Tasso, nestled in the mountains of the Brembana Valley, was the birthplace of one of Europe’s most influential families: the Tasso family, later known as the Thurn und Taxis. Famous for having created the postal system of the Habsburg Empire, some members of the family left Italy in the Middle Ages to settle in Germany, where their surname was germanised.

And here the story takes an unexpected turn: in Regensburg, Bavaria, the Thurn und Taxis founded one of the oldest and most renowned breweries in the region, leaving their mark on the German brewing tradition. It is therefore curious to think that a fragment of Bergamo’s cultural DNA could have contributed, at least symbolically, to the birth of a German beer legend, even though Bergamo’s brewing tradition developed much later, particularly in recent decades with the boom of craft beer in Italy.