Birra Terrona and other craft Beers on tap at Barito, Lecce, Puglia
Craft Beer in Lecce
Although Lecce is known for being a charming city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, not many people realise it also has a thriving craft beer scene. If you're a beer enthusiast or simply looking to explore a unique aspect of this beautiful city, then swinging by a craft beer brewery or pub is a must, or even better, visit in May or August for one of the craft beer events.
May - Spring Craft Beer Festival - Lecce (25 minute walk from the centre of Lecce) - is held at Tagghiate Urban Factory, an old stone quarry that has been converted into an events space.
Aug - Birre al Castello - Corigliano di Otranto (a small town about 25 mintues drive south from Lecce) - is held at Castello Volante, a stunning 13th century castle.
For those out of the loop, Craft beer (or Birra Artigianale as it’s usually called in Italy), is brewed by independent breweries that prioritize quality, flavour, and innovation. These breweries often use traditional brewing techniques and locally sourced ingredients to create unique and distinct beers that cater to a variety of tastes. In recent years, craft beer has gained popularity worldwide, and Lecce has embraced this trend with open arms.
Craft beer enthusiasts visiting Lecce should also keep an eye out for beer festivals and events that showcase the best of the local and regional craft beer scene (the two biggest ones are linked to above). These gatherings provide an opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers, meet the brewers, and immerse oneself in the vibrant beer culture of Lecce.
Whether you're a seasoned craft beer connoisseur or simply curious about exploring new tastes, Lecce's craft beer scene offers a delightful and unique experience. So, the next time you find yourself in Lecce, be sure to raise a glass and toast to the flavours of Southern Italy. Cheers!
Craft Beer Breweries in Lecce & Salento
Breweries in the city of Lecce:
Birrificio Malatesta
One of Lecce’s most iconic craft beer breweries, Malatesta can be found in the tree lined streets of San Pio, just to the west of the old city. Malatesta is the brainchild of Stefano Chironi who opened the brewery in 2014, and they have since picked up various awards for the beer they produce.
Their ‘V per Vittoria’ low gluten APA recieved a special mention in the Italian Low Gluten Beer 2017 competition, as well as being recognised in "Slow Food Everyday Beer " category in the Guide to Italian Beers 2019.
Baff
Based in the northern Lecce suburb of Santa Rosa, Baff beer was started by brothers Piero and Massimiliano Fioretti. All their beers are produced actually in Lecce under the watchful eye of the brothers who source quality ingredients with love and care. Is it me or is their logo basically Duff from the Simpsons?
Their Makò IPA with it’s distinctive shark face bottle leads a range stalwart craft beer classics including a Red Ale, a Honey Belgian Ale, an APA, a Porter, a New England IPA as well as a grape ale featuring negroamaro (a classic grape variety traditional to this area of Puglia).
L’Aura
L’Aura (Like ‘the aura’) was started by Laura Carrozzo (Laura…L’aura… get it?) and Mauro Zilli here in Lecce. Mauro seems to be a man who loves beer and loves his partner and has then lovingly joined those two things into one super romantic beer. Even if you find this beer romance a little wet, you can relax because it’s also delicious beer.
Their compact range of 3 beers beers; L’Aura (a light golden fresh ale), L’Aura Rossa (Red Ale) and L’Aura IPA can be found at some choice spots around Lecce.
Birrificio B94
Birrificio B94 Insta | Birrificio B94 Website
Birrificio B94 is based in the Lecce suburb of Castromediano. Although outside the boundary of the comune of Lecce (technically it’s in Cavalino), is still inside the tangenziale (ring road) and therefore in my view, it’s very much in Lecce. They’ve been in the beer business offically since 2008, and you can find their range of flavoursome beers all over Lecce.
‘November Ray’ Pale Ale can be found in lots of places, which is a delicious, classic, quite englishy-pale-ale type of beer, rather than the much more fashionable overly hopped APA style. If you like an Adnams Ghost Ship for example then you’ll love a November Ray.
Breweries outside Lecce:
Birra Terrona
Birra Terrona Insta | Birra Terrona Website
Based in the small town of Corigliano D'otranto, about 25 km south of Lecce, Birra Terrona have been in the beer business since 2013. Terrona is for some a slightly derogatory slang term for someone from the south of Italy; it more or less means a peasant/land worker. Others however wear the terrona label as a badge of pride, and the peeps at Birra Terrona fall squarely into this category, and rightly so in my view; producing their lovely beer from the land they love is undoubtedly a much nicer way to pass a day than pushing money round in some hellish metropolis.
Birra Salento
Birra Salento Insta | Birra Salento Website
Birra Salento is based in Leverano, a small town about 17km to the south west of Lecce. Leverano is famous wine territory, the town is surrounded by vines and some of the biggest vineyards in Salento are based there. Birra Salento have managed to carve out a corner of wine land for themselves where they make excellent craft beer with much of the grain and hops grown locally too.
‘Agricola’ Lager can be found in every other fridge in Lecce and I strongly advise that on at least one occasion you reach past the peronis and the morretis and the dreher and the other usual crap, and shell out the extra 50c to try one. It’s fruitier than your average lager, and perfect served very cold on a nice hot day in Lecce.
Other breweries in/around Salento & Puglia:
