The Ultimate Guide to Craft Beer in Bologna: Top Taphouses & Bottle Shops
Bologna, Italy’s revered capital of gastronomy, is a city whose identity is deeply entwined with ancient culinary traditions. It is a place of handmade pasta, rich ragù, and the venerable local wines of Emilia-Romagna. But beneath the surface of this historic food culture, a modern and vibrant scene is fermenting, one dedicated to the rebellious spirit of hops and barley. The Italian craft beer movement (birra artigianale) has firmly taken root in La Grassa, offering an exciting new dimension for discerning drinkers to explore.
While the city is famous for its classic aperitivo ritual, which we delved into in our guide to Bologna’s best wine bars, the burgeoning craft beer scene provides a fantastic alternative for an evening out. So, let’s tap into this hoppy new chapter and explore the ultimate guide to craft beer in Bologna, from cosy pubs to specialist bottle shops.
The Pioneers and Pubs: Dedicated Beer Havens
These are the establishments that form the backbone of Bologna’s craft beer scene, places where a passion for good beer is the main event.
Il Santo Bevitore: The Beer Drinker’s Sanctuary
Its name literally translates to “The Holy Drinker,” and for beer lovers in Bologna, it is a place of worship. Il Santo Bevitore is arguably the city’s most famous and well-regarded beer pub. Tucked away on a quiet street near the university quarter, this cosy, wood-panelled pub has the feel of a classic Belgian or English local, but with a distinctly Italian heart. It boasts an impressive and constantly rotating selection of around 20 beers on tap (alla spina), showcasing the best of Italian craft brewing alongside exceptional international guests. The staff are true enthusiasts, knowledgeable and happy to guide you through their extensive list. It is an unpretentious, welcoming place where the quality of the beer speaks for itself.
Harvest Pub: A Bounty of Brews
Another key player in the city’s beer scene is Harvest Pub. This spot offers a slightly more modern, spacious feel and is known for its excellent selection of well-kept beers on tap. They pride themselves on variety, ensuring there is always something new to try, from hop-forward IPAs and rich stouts to crisp lagers and complex Belgian ales. It is a popular spot with both locals and students, and its laid-back atmosphere makes it a great place to spend an evening working your way through a few different styles.
Old Bridge Pub: English Charm, Italian Craft
For those who appreciate the classic comfort of a traditional English pub, the Old Bridge Pub delivers, but with a fantastic craft beer twist. While you will find well-poured cask ales and familiar pub vibes, the Old Bridge also dedicates several of its taps to Italian and international craft beers. It is a place that bridges the gap between traditional pub culture and the modern craft movement, offering a welcoming environment where you can enjoy a quality pint, watch some football, and discover some new brews.
Straight from the Source: Brewpubs and Taprooms
These venues offer the freshest possible beer, often poured just metres from where it was brewed or served by the brewers themselves.
Birra Baladin Bologna: An Italian Craft Legend
Teo Musso, the founder of Baladin, is one of the godfathers of the entire Italian craft beer movement. His visionary brewery has grown from a tiny brewpub in Piedmont to an internationally recognised name. The Birra Baladin Bologna pub is the brand’s fantastic outpost in the city, located near the Mercato delle Erbe. Here, you can sample a wide range of Baladin’s iconic and innovative beers, from their accessible “Nazionale” (the first 100% Italian-ingredient craft beer) to their complex barrel-aged creations. The pub also serves excellent food, with burgers and snacks designed to pair perfectly with their brews.
Zapap Pratello: The Neighbourhood Brewery
Located on the famously bohemian and alternative street, Via del Pratello, Zapap Pratello is the taproom for the local Zapap brewery. This offers a fantastic opportunity to drink beer that is truly Bolognese. The brewery’s philosophy is rooted in creating high-quality, flavourful, and enjoyable beers. The taproom itself is informal and friendly, reflecting the character of the street it calls home. It is the perfect place to sample a range of fresh, locally brewed ales and lagers and to feel connected to Bologna’s homegrown craft scene.
The Modern Birreria: New-Wave Bars & Bistros
These establishments blend a passion for craft beer with food and a modern aesthetic.
L’Ortica: A Natural Connection
Linked to the L’Ortiga brewery, L’Ortica is a beautiful and welcoming birreria with a natural, rustic feel. The name means “the nettle,” and this connection to nature is reflected in its ambiance. It is a great spot to enjoy fresh beers from their own brewery alongside a well-chosen selection of guest taps. L’Ortica is also known for its delicious food, particularly its piadine (a type of Italian flatbread), making it a perfect destination for a casual lunch or dinner paired with excellent local beer.
Madama Beerstrò: Beer and Bistro Culture
As its clever name suggests, Madama Beerstrò combines the worlds of a craft beer bar and a modern bistro. This stylish spot offers a carefully curated selection of craft beers designed to be enjoyed alongside their creative and delicious food menu. It is a place that demonstrates how well craft beer can be integrated into a quality dining experience, moving it beyond just pub snacks. It is an excellent choice for a more refined evening out that still places great beer at its heart.
IN A CITY FAMOUS FOR ITS ANCIENT WINE CULTURE, DISCOVERING BOLOGNA’S THRIVING CRAFT BEER SCENE FEELS LIKE UNCOVERING A DELICIOUS, HOPPY SECRET HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
The Bottle Shop Experience: Your Takeaway Treasures
For enjoying craft beer at your accommodation or creating a special picnic, Bologna’s specialist bottle shops are essential destinations.
Astral Beers: A Universe of Beer
Astral Beers is a dedicated craft beer bottle shop and a true haven for any beer geek. The walls are lined with an incredible, encyclopaedic selection of bottles and cans from the best breweries in Italy and across the world. The owner is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable and can help you find exactly what you are looking for, whether it is a rare sour ale, a super-hoppy Double IPA, or a classic Belgian Trappist beer. Browse the shelves here is an activity in itself.
Beer for Bunnies: A Quirky Beer Paradise
With its memorable name and fantastic reputation, Beer for Bunnies is another of Bologna’s top craft beer destinations. It is both a bottle shop with a huge and eclectic selection and a small bar with a few rotating taps, so you can enjoy a drink while you browse. They are known for sourcing interesting and hard-to-find beers, making it a key stop for anyone looking to discover something new and exciting.
How to Drink Craft Beer Like a Bolognese
Discover the Italian Grape Ale (IGA)
Look out for a uniquely Italian beer style: the Italian Grape Ale (IGA). This fascinating hybrid bridges the worlds of beer and wine. Brewers add grape must (freshly pressed grape juice) during the brewing process, creating beers with a wonderful vinous character, complex fruit notes, and often a champagne-like effervescence. It is a true taste of Italian brewing creativity.
Create Your Own Craft Beer & Food Pairing
Embrace the spirit of La Grassa by creating your own craft beer and food pairing. Head to a bottle shop like Astral Beers and pick out a few different styles. Then, wander through the Quadrilatero and buy some high-quality Mortadella, Prosciutto di Parma, and a chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Experiment with the pairings: a crisp Italian pilsner with the salty prosciutto, a malty amber ale with the savoury mortadella, or a strong Belgian ale with the sharp, complex cheese.
Learn the Lingo: “Birra alla Spina”
When you are looking at a bar’s beer list, the key phrase to know is “birra alla spina”, which simply means “beer on tap.” The list will often detail the beer’s name, brewery, style (e.g., IPA, Stout), alcohol percentage (ABV), and sometimes the serving size (e.g., 0.2L for a small glass, 0.4L for a larger one).
A Hoppy New Chapter for Bologna
In a city so deeply devoted to its ancient wine and food heritage, the emergence of a vibrant and passionate craft beer scene feels like a thrilling new chapter. It is a movement driven by creativity, a respect for ingredients, and a desire to bring new flavours to the table. The pubs, taprooms, and bottle shops of Bologna offer a delicious counterpoint to the city’s traditional osterias and enotecas. Exploring this hoppy side of La Grassa reveals a city that not only honours its past but eagerly embraces the delicious possibilities of the future.
