Italian Beer

Peroni is a great beer that you can get in the States as well. I'm allergic to wine so Peroni it is!

Beer is pretty dismal in Italy, mostly pretty standard lagers, Peroni, Nastro Azzurro, and Moretti are the most common, that are good for a break on a hot day, but not "wow". I did see though on my last trip, a bar in Rome that was offering a microbrew from another Italian city, as luck had it, we were early and did not get back to try it. I think though they offered only a wheat and a couple lighter ales, nothing dark. Maybe Italy is waking up to beer! There are at least another half dozen brewers in Italy, so I suggest trying each new one you see. Grocery stores have very limited selections, adding Heineken of course and a few others.

Paul - According to Wikipedia "Consumption of Italian beer, though considered a growing phenomenon, is not as popular as wine."

So I guess it is starting to grow. I will try one every now and then during my trip to Italy.

Do most bars sell beer?

You'll find beer everywhere at all times. It will be easier to find/drink beer in Italy than wine, except at a winery. Josh.

Actually, What Josh commented on is correct. You will notice a very stratified "Drinking" culture in Italy. Beer is available at any sandwich/pizza stand as well as street vendors, basically, if they sell soft drinks, they sell beer. Next up are Bars, places to hang out, usually not much if any food, focus is on beer and drinks, wine can be had, but few will order. Wine is usually reserved for meals, whether a light snack and wine in an Enoteca, or full meal in a restaurant. Again, a beer can be had, but few order.

What Josh said is true. In fact, I attended two beer festivals on my first trip to Italy. When hanging out with my friends there, the drink of choice is beer. Mostly beer is served at my cousins' restaurant and, if I recall correctly, they also serve beer at the McDonald's and Burger Kings. It's readily available wherever you go. As for good Italian beer, I can't help you there since most of what I've had to drink there is either wine and blackberry liquor from Sardegna (and that stuff can peel paint off the walls).

Peroni was the best Italian brand I came across. I found that some places don't carry Italian beers, since Italians want imported brands - they consider their domestic brands inferior and buy German or British beers when they go out (at least according to one chatty waiter). And FYI, beer rather than wine is the traditional beverage with pizza.

Peroni is the best as far as I'm concerned. Don't try it here as it does taste different in Italy!!!!

Peroni is the best as far as I'm concerned. Don't try it here as it does taste different in Italy. I think it has something to do with alcohol cont. vs what is sold here for import.

Can't resist! I have found nearly anything tastes better sitting on a piazza in Italy, just as even Corona or Red Stripe tastes better chillin' on a beach.

I am a beer drinker - but not heavy brews or micro brews... Italy has beer just about everywhere... But, if you get off the beaten path, into the rural areas the beer does get scarce...

Italian beers arent as good as Belgian or German ones but a damn sight better than dreck like Bud

One of the advantages of living here is you get to try some different Peroni Beers than you may see in the States. Here are three unique beers, all with different tastes. Miller sells the Nasto Azzuro in the US. Beer is plentiful in Rome and often folks will have a beer at lunch, much like they do wine!

PERONI - Gran Reserva - alcohol content of 6.6%
PERONI - Nastro Azzurro - alcohol content of 5.1%

PERONI – Pale Lager - alcohol content of 4.7%

The Peroni Brewery was established in 1846 by the Peroni family and they still oversee the day-to-day operations. There are currently four Peroni breweries throughout Italy located in Padova, Roma, Bari and Napoli. Plenty for all!

Aproximately, how many euros does a bottle of beer cost?

Linda, beer at all prices here. Cheapest place to get it is at the grocery stores and you can go less than a euro a bottle depending on brand. We buy Hoogarden for 1.50E each and once a while a Corona for 1.47E each. Italian beer is cheaper. Note - almost ALL beer sold in grocery stores is NOT CHILLED - not a practice here.

Once you're in a restaurant it is very dependent on the "location" of the restaurant. If you're in a toursity location you will pay 4 - 7 EUROS for a medium sized beer (10 - 12 oz.).

Trastevere has "beer halls," while not the same as Germany's, certainly more unique than other spots in Italy! They will sell you a "keg" to place on your table... the cheapest way to buy beer!