The primary written proof of beer being brewed and consumed dates again so far as 4,000BC, with the traditional Sumerians believed to have developed the earliest identified strategies for creating the alcoholic drink. Its historical past and connection to human civilisation runs deep, and numerous in the present day’s beers have their very own exceptional heritage.
In Italy, the drink was identified in Roman occasions, nevertheless it actually got here into its personal within the nineteenth century when kinds that we’d nonetheless recognise in the present day began to seem extra broadly throughout Europe. Certainly one of Italy’s premier beers, Menabrea, traces its origins to this time and has a very fascinating story – and a lineage that makes it Italy’s oldest constantly producing brewery.
Based in 1846, Menabrea’s alchemy comes from its components and brewing processes, and likewise the extremely fortuitous ecosystem round Biella, the magical city within the foothills of the Italian Alps that Menabrea has at all times referred to as residence. The distinctive geography, sources, household historical past and the affect of Italian tradition all coalesce to create a premium beer that’s quick gaining a reputation for itself within the UK.
“Menabrea could only have been made in Biella,” says Angus Lawrie, Menabrea’s model supervisor, including that as a result of refrigeration didn’t exist throughout the brewery’s early days, the household behind the beer made optimum use of the pure environment – a observe that continues to today. “Biella is located at the foothills of the Italian Alps, where the soft, pure water runs straight from the mountain.”
The pure setting round Biella meant that the beer might be cooled and saved for longer durations. And the city’s proximity to France and Germany can also be essential to its alchemy. It’s 45 minutes west of well-connected Milan, so founder Giuseppe Menabrea may usher in barley from the Champagne area in France and hops from Bavaria.
By creating a meticulous course of, rooted within the Italian custom of top of the range craftsmanship, Giuseppe was in a position to set up Menabrea as a premium beer, first domestically, then nationally. It has been brewed by the identical household ever since – a legacy that goes again 5 generations, with every new era retaining the identical system, beliefs and ranges of experience.
“It’s been passed down from father to son, father to son,” says Lawrie. “When you go to the brewery, there are pictures of Franco Thedy [the current managing director at Menabrea] brewing with his dad, and his dad brewing with Franco’s grandad. It’s that beautiful Italian way – passing down skills and being passionate about what they create.”
Over that interval, Biella has remained a comparatively small, sleepy city with Menabrea’s brewery rising in dimension and stature. Because the beer’s reputation grew throughout Italy, the brewery expanded … upwards. Since it’s surrounded by residential properties, the one manner it might be prolonged was to go up. Greater than €14m (£12m) has been invested lately to develop a brand new brewhouse, fermentation cellar, and a contemporary filtration plant to accommodate ever-growing demand for the beer.
It’s a beer that completely enhances Italian meals – assume Parma ham, creamy mozzarella, and exquisite tomatoes. Native delicacies in Biella profit from the beer’s barely citrusy notes. Dishes akin to ris e malastre, a pale yellow soup made with milk, butter, potatoes, rice and malastre flowers (mountain pansies), and paletta biellese, a standard pork shoulder ham, make nice pairings with Menabrea. To not point out the mouthwatering beddo, which is a cheese comprised of uncooked cow’s milk.
Because it’s a lightweight lager, it received’t bloat you out. “It’s not overly fizzy and it also has a lovely long-lasting head on it as well. So it’s just beautiful,” says Lawrie.
With this alchemy of optimum local weather, wealthy custom and meticulous craftsmanship, it’s no shock we’re discovering a style for it ourselves within the UK.
“The craftsmanship and obsession they’ve had for over 170 years to create this fantastic beverage – that’s what it’s all about,” says Lawrie. “When you go to Biella, you fall in love with Franco. His passion, his care and his love for what he’s doing is a magical union.”
Benefit from the genuine style of Piedmont, and Alpine Italy, with Menabrea. Discover your nearest Menabrea stockist at menabrea.co.uk
