Italian Pilsners and Grape Ales get their international day in the spotlight
Italy is famed for it’s arts, culinary, and creative culture, but the country’s breweries has always been out shined by their wines. But in recent years two different beer styles emerged out of Italy to become officially recognized at an international level and endorsed by the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU). A new push by Italian international judge, advocate, and writer Simone Massenza, aka The Taste Hunter, highlights the new categories of Italian-style Pilsner and Italian Grape Ale, with the launch of International Italian Pils Day and International IGA Day.
IGA Day debuts October 5, 2025
The official debut of the International Italian Grape Ale (IGA) Day celebrates the innovative and distinct beer style that blends wine and beer.
Italian Grape Ale is an all-Italian style hybrid style of beer and wine grapes and “The first Italian beer style ever to gain international recognition,” says Simone Massenza. “Expressive, modern, deeply rooted in the territory, with a huge potential for cultural export. Because it’s a beer that tastes like grapes but doesn’t try to be wine, and a wine that’s not afraid of hops. Because in a world full of IPAs—often too similar—we need a different sip. And it deserves to be celebrated.”
Born in Maracalagonis, Sardinia, in 2006 thanks to the vision of Nicola Perra of Birrificio Barley, the Italian Grape Ale is a craft beer that incorporates grapes, fresh must, or grape pomace into its brewing process.
A liquid bridge between wine and beer, between fermentation and fermentation (and no, it’s not an oxymoron—it’s the magic of Italian food and wine culture).
Recognized in 2015 by the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) and officially endorsed on October 5, 2020 by the EBCU (European Beer Consumers Union), the IGA now finally has its own official day.
On October 5th, breweries, pubs, wine bars, enthusiasts, and curious drinkers are invited to celebrate the IGA style with tastings, events, pairings, and—why not—a few unconventional toasts.
From Moscato-infused versions to those made with Sangiovese, from dry bodies to notes of red fruits: Italian Grape Ales are as diverse as the grapes of our land.
Anyone wanting to join in (or sip something culturally enriching) just needs to use the hashtags #IGADay, #ItalianGrapeAleDay or #InternationalIGADay, and let themselves be carried away on a sensorial journey between malt and vine.
Italian Pils Day November 15
As of 2024, Italy proudly boasts not one, but two beer styles officially recognized at the international level — both born on Italian soil.
It was Agostino Arioli, founder of Birrificio Italiano in Limido Comasco, Como (formerly based in Lurago Marinone), who first created it back in 1996. Widely considered the godfather of Italian craft beer, Arioli crafted the now-iconic Tipo Pils, the very first of its kind.
Rooted in German Pils, enriched with a touch of English inspiration (think cask ales), and elevated by a distinctly Italian spirit of innovation — it was a simple yet revolutionary idea: take a cornerstone of beer tradition and transform it into something unique, modern, and personal.
The secret weapon? Dry hopping — but strictly with European hops only.
Bright, clear, elegant, and aromatic, Italian Pils has captured the hearts (and the glasses) of beer lovers all around the globe.
“It’s the Italian beer style that has inspired and impacted the world more than any other,” says Massenza. “Agostino took a pillar of brewing history — the Pils — and turned it into something iconic, original, and deeply Italian. It deserves a day to be celebrated.”
In 2020, the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) officially acknowledged the style, recognizing its Italian origins.
On November 15, 2024, the Brewers Association followed suit, becoming the first to formally define its profile and guidelines, making Italian Pils a recognized style category in its own right.
Whether you’re in a brewery, a pub, or simply on your couch, on November 15, pour yourself an Italian Pils and use hashtags #italianpilsday and #internationalitalianpilsday when sharing.