Milan – Italy’s Craft Beer Hub

Milan truly is an international city embracing fashion and cuisine from all over the world. In recent years they’ve also grown to become one of Europe’s craft beer hubs, spawning breweries and bars that offer unique takes on traditional Italian brewing techniques and innovative brewing styles.

If you’re a craft beer lover, or you’d just like an authentic taste, there are plenty of great breweries and bars offering craft beers to include in your Milan food tour.

The Rise of Craft Beer in Milan

Milan has embraced the craft beer movement with open arms over the last twenty years. As a truly international city, its bars, taverns, and breweries have turned it into a hub for craft beer enthusiasts from around the world.

Recent trends in Milanese craft beer culture reflect the city’s love of innovation and community. This has helped spawn special events like the annual “Italia Beer Festival” as well as countless brewery tours that cater to tourists and locals alike.

Best Craft Beer Bars in Milan

Milan is home to a stunning array of bars that feature great craft beers. While there are too many to name in one article, the following are a good place to start exploring the Milanese craft beer scene.

Birrificio Lambrate

Photo credit: Birrificio Lambrate

Birrificio Lambrate is one of the pioneer craft brew pubs in Milan, offering an impressive array of artisanal craft beers, and casual world and Italian food. They’re conveniently located in the Lambrate district, near Lambro Park.

The brewery has a comfortable laid-back vibe with rustic décor and friendly staff. I love how knowledgeable they are, which really made it easy for me to navigate their staggering array of choices.

The craft beer list features a variety of different in-house brews. The ones that stood out the most to me were the Ghisa, which is a smoky stout with bold flavors, and their Montestella, which is a vibrantly refreshing pale ale.

Birrificio Lambrate (€€) – Via Adelchi, 5, 20131 Milano MI, Italy – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

La Belle Alliance

Photo credit: La Belle Alliance

Milan’s La Belle Alliance offers a charming and relaxed environment for craft beer enthusiasts from all around the world. Nestled in the Centrale district of the city, this pub provides a welcoming space that balances historic inspiration while embracing modern innovation.  

The atmosphere at La Belle Alliance is warm with rustic wooden tables and décor that gives it a casual vibe. The staff are very knowledgeable and passionate about craft beer and are happy to help you find a beer that suits your taste. There’s also a small outdoor seating area, which I think is the place to be on warm summer evenings.

La Belle Alliance prides itself on its rotating selection of craft beers that are sourced from several local breweries, as well as a modest selection of international favorites. Staples you’ll find on their beer list include IPAs, stouts, lagers, and seasonal brews.

La Belle Alliance (€) – Via Evangelista Torricelli, 1, 20136 Milano MI, Italy – Open Monday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Open Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. 

Lambiczoon

Photo credit: Lambiczoon

Lambiczoon is a haven for craft beer enthusiasts who are interested in a unique, or exotic experience. You’ll find them in Milan’s Porta Romana district conveniently situated near the Fondazione Prada.

The ambiance of Lambiczoon has a laid-back vibe, with rustic décor, wooden tables, and a chalkboard beer menu showcasing the best of what’s on tap. The staff is very knowledgeable about their exotic lineup and can help you understand which craft beers might be best suited to your palate.

Lambiczoon’s beer list includes a special line of sour beers, particularly lambics, and gueuze, which are rare finds in the city. They also specialize in Belgian-style lambics, with an emphasis on funky, tart, and complex profiles. Signature offerings often include Cantillon and Boon.

Lambiczoon (€) – Via Friuli, 46, 20135 Milano MI, Italy – Open Sunday to Friday from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Open Saturday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 AM.

Popular Craft Beer Breweries in Milan

Photo credit: Birrificio La Ribalta

Milan has many craft breweries that host tasting tours or collaborate with local pubs and eateries to offer their unique beers to the masses. While there are too many to name, I recommend trying a few of the following.

Birrificio La Ribalta is housed in Villaggio Barona, where they often offer tours, tastings, and social events in their spacious venue. Some of their best seasonal signature beers, include Chinaski and Tetris, which go perfectly with the hearty foods they often offer at special events.  

Birrificio Milano has an industrial-chic vibe at their onsite brewery in Milan’s Lambrate district. They offer a wide range of beer-centric dishes, including a lovely risotto that’s accented by their fruit ale. This is a great spot to explore craft beer food pairings and innovative flavors.

Birra Gaia Brewpub on the outskirts of Milan in Carate Brianza, is a brewpub and craft brewery with a gourmet menu. They serve their signature beers, like Aradia and Vineyard, with perfectly paired gourmet burgers, pizza, and fajitas.

Italian Beer Styles to Try in Milan

While there are many creative, unique, and international craft-brewed beers in Milan, there remain some stalwart Italian beer styles that you are sure to encounter when exploring the Milanese craft beer scene.

Italian Pilsner is crisp, dry, and hoppy. The Italian hops used in most Milanese pilsners tend to be exceptionally floral with herbal notes. This shows up boldly in Tipopils by Birrificio Italiano.

Italian Pale Ale is a light, golden beer with a malty backbone and subtle bitterness. It’s an accessible style popular across Italy. Many Milanese breweries have their own in-house take on blonde ale that you can compare and contrast.

Birra Artigianale Alla Castagna is made using chestnuts, which gives the beer an earthy and slightly sweet flavor. It’s particularly popular in the Milan beer scene as it taps into the Milanese love of autumn-roasted chestnuts.

Barrel-aged beers are one of the creative ways craft breweries experiment with new beer flavors. Milanese-style barrel aging often incorporates flavors of wine, grappa, or amaro. I think one of the best places to explore barrel-aged beers in Milan is Birrificio Lambiczoon, who are known for their sour and barrel-aged beers.

Italian Grape Ale (IGA) is a unique hybrid of beer and wine. It’s made by incorporating the grape must from local vineyards in the brewing process to create a beer that’s aromatic, fruity, and complex. I think Birrificio Baladin makes a great IGA that represents the aroma of the grape and the body of the ale.

Tips for Enjoying Craft Beer in Milan

Exploring the best of Milan’s craft beer scene starts with visiting taprooms and special events hosted by local breweries. Many of the popular ones like Birrificio La Ribalta, Lambiczoon, and Lambrate, have dedicated taprooms and special tasting events. Many also offer guided tours.  

It also helps to time your visit to spring and early autumn when the craft beer scene in Milan is at its peak. Choosing an off-peak day and going in the early evening will also allow you to savor the beer or interact more with the brewery staff. 

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/milan/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/guides/best-food-in-italy/

Birrificio Lambrate. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://birrificiolambrate.com/

La Belle Alliance. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.labellealliance.it/

Lambiczoon. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.lambiczoon.com/

Birrificio La Ribalta. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://birrificiolaribalta.com/

Birrificio Milano. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.birrificiomilano.com/

Birra Gaia. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.birragaia.it/