A Guide to Bergamo’s Best Craft Beer Bars: Lombardy’s Hidden Hops
Bergamo is a city steeped in tradition, a place whose culinary identity is proudly built on the rich wines of Lombardy and the comforting, hearty dishes of the surrounding valleys. But for the modern traveller with a taste for hops over grapes, a vibrant and passionate scene is bubbling just beneath the surface. The Italian craft beer movement, or birra artigianale, has found a fervent home here, led by one of the country’s most innovative breweries. To seek out craft beer in Bergamo is to discover a contemporary, creative, and delicious side to this ancient city. This is your guide to the best taphouses, brewpubs, and bottle shops where you can taste the hidden hops of Lombardy.
The Local Legend: The World of Elav
No discussion of craft beer in Bergamo can begin without paying homage to the city’s brewing powerhouse: Elav. This independent brewery, whose name is a palindrome of “Vale” (for the founder’s daughter, Valentina), has grown from a small local project into one of Italy’s most respected and award-winning craft breweries. Exploring their dedicated venues is the essential first step on any Bergamo beer tour.
Elav Kitchen & Beer
This is the brewery’s flagship brewpub in the Città Bassa, and it is an absolute must-visit. The space in Elav Kitchen & Beer is modern, stylish, and industrial-chic, with a long bar boasting an impressive array of Elav taps. This is where you can taste their beer at its absolute freshest, from their core range of accessible pale ales and lagers to their more experimental and powerful creations, like complex sour ales and rich imperial stouts. The staff are true beer evangelists, happy to guide you through the extensive list. To top it all, the “Kitchen” part of the name is taken very seriously, with a superb menu of gourmet burgers, creative appetisers, and delicious mains all designed to pair perfectly with their brews.
Elav Circus
For a more informal and lively experience, Elav Circus in the Città Alta is the perfect destination. This bar has a more casual, pub-like atmosphere and is a popular spot for a slightly younger, energetic crowd. While the beer selection is just as excellent as at its sister venue, the vibe here is more about socialising over a few great pints. It is the perfect place to refuel with a world-class IPA after a day spent exploring the historic Upper Town.
The Dedicated Beer Bars: Taphouses and Pubs
Beyond the world of Elav, Bergamo has a number of excellent bars where a passion for quality beer from Italy and beyond is the main event.
Beer Garage
A true haven for beer geeks, Beer Garage is a fantastic craft beer bar and bottle shop located in the Città Bassa. The atmosphere is unpretentious and dedicated to the love of beer. They offer a fantastic, carefully curated selection of Italian and international craft beers on tap, which are constantly rotating to ensure there is always something new to discover. The real treasure, however, is the wall of refrigerators, packed with an incredible array of bottles and cans from some of the world’s most sought-after breweries. It is a place where you can sit and enjoy a pint or spend an hour browsing for a special takeaway treat.
The Ritual Pub
With its traditional Victorian-style pub decor, The Ritual Pub offers a cosy and classic setting to enjoy a great beer. While it has the comfortable feel of a traditional pub, its beer list is impressively modern, with a strong focus on quality craft brews. They have a good number of taps and a knowledgeable team who are passionate about beer. It is a place that successfully bridges the gap between the traditional pub experience and the contemporary craft beer scene, making it a welcoming spot for all kinds of drinkers.
Gölem
Another fantastic spot in the Città Bassa, Gölem is a modern and stylish bar that takes its beer very seriously. They offer a well-chosen selection of craft beers on tap, often featuring interesting and hard-to-find Italian breweries alongside international favourites. The atmosphere is relaxed and contemporary, and they also serve a good range of food, making it a great all-round destination for a casual evening out.
IN BERGAMO, DISCOVERING THE THRIVING CRAFT BEER SCENE IN THE SHADOW OF A WORLD-FAMOUS WINE REGION IS LIKE FINDING A SECRET PATH; IT’S A REFRESHING, HOPPY, AND UTTERLY REWARDING JOURNEY FOR THE CURIOUS DRINKER.
The Bottle Shop Experience
For those who want to take their beer exploration home, Bergamo’s specialist bottle shops are essential stops.
Enoteca & Birreria Orefice
As its name suggests, Enoteca & Birreria Orefice is a place that celebrates both wine and beer. This fantastic bottle shop has an excellent and well-curated selection of craft beers from Italy and around the world. It is a great place to browse and get expert recommendations from the staff. Being able to compare and contrast the worlds of artisanal wine and beer under one roof makes it a particularly interesting stop for any drinks enthusiast.
Lock Over
A dedicated beer shop, Lock Over is another treasure trove for those looking to purchase bottles and cans. They stock a fantastic range of Italian craft beer, providing a brilliant opportunity to explore the diverse brewing scene of the country without leaving Bergamo. It is the perfect place to pick up some unique and flavourful souvenirs to take home.
Beyond the Bar: Essential Beer Experiences
Pairing Craft Beer with Bergamasque Cuisine
One of the great joys of craft beer is its versatility with food. Challenge tradition by pairing local dishes with different beer styles. The rich, buttery sauce of casoncelli pasta could be beautifully cut through by the crisp bitterness of a German-style Pilsner. The hearty, gamey flavours of a rabbit stew would stand up wonderfully to a complex and malty Belgian-style Dubbel. Many of the city’s best restaurants, which are explored in our dedicated guide to the food of Bergamo, are beginning to expand their beer lists, offering fantastic opportunities for new flavour combinations.
Understanding Italian Beer Terminology
When looking at a beer menu, it helps to know the lingo. Birra alla spina means beer on tap. Birra artigianale is the key phrase for craft beer. You will also see beers described by their colour: chiara (pale/blonde), rossa (red/amber), and scura (dark).
A Day Trip to a Local Brewery
For the truly dedicated beer lover, consider a day trip to a local brewery in the surrounding province. While Elav is the most famous, the region is home to other fantastic smaller breweries. A visit allows you to see the brewing process up close, meet the passionate people behind the beer, and taste their creations at the source. It is an unforgettable way to connect with the local craft scene.
The Irish Pub Connection
Do not dismiss the city’s traditional Irish pubs in your search for good beer. A well-run pub like The Tucan’s Pub will not only serve a perfect pint of Guinness but will often have a “guest tap” or a selection of interesting bottled beers alongside their standard offerings, sometimes including local craft options.
Look for Beer Festivals
Keep an eye on the local events calendar for a beer festival (festa della birra). These events are becoming increasingly popular in Italy and bring together numerous breweries in one place. They offer the best possible opportunity to sample a huge variety of different beers and to experience the fun, festive side of the Italian craft beer community.
A Hoppy Heart in Lombardy
In a region so rightly celebrated for its magnificent wines, the passionate and thriving craft beer scene in Bergamo comes as a delightful surprise. It is a community built on innovation, quality, and a desire to bring new and exciting flavours to this historic city. Exploring the brewpubs, taphouses, and bottle shops is to discover a modern, creative pulse beating just beneath the ancient cobblestones. It is a journey that proves that even in the heart of Lombardy, there is always a place for a perfectly crafted, flavour-packed pint of birra artigianale.
