Menabrea – perfecting the craft of beer

In 1846, Giuseppe Menabrea travelled to the town of Biella, in the foothills of the Italian Alps. There he discovered an underground cave system, ideal for the traditional process of 'lagering'. Combined with the incredibly pure water and cold fresh air of the region, it was the perfect location to build a brewery.

Should you visit Biella today, you'll still find Menabrea brewing their award-winning beer on the same site, made in the same way, by the same family, with the same ingredients, passion and care.

So if true mastery of one's craft can take a lifetime to acquire, Franco, head of the family-run brewery, benefits from five generations worth of experience.

Menabrea is the oldest continuously producing brewery in Italy. For over 170 years the family have brewed their remarkable birre using their own recipe and only five simple ingredients: water, barley, hops, yeast & brewer's maize.

Placed at the crossroads of Europe at the foot of the Alps, they source the finest ingredients available. The barley comes from Vitry-le-Francois in the heart of Champagne country: recognised as the premier barley producing region of France.

The hops come from Hallertau, Bavaria. Gently aromatic, but harder to grow than other varieties, they truly deserve their designation as "noble hops".

The water flows naturally from pure Alpine glaciers straight to their brewery. Once sourced, the ingredients are meticulously brewed using a combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative modern day techniques under the supervision of Menabrea's master brewer.

The resulting birra is then gently aged for at least 30 days in their caves, two storeys underground in a unique maturation process, known as 'lagering'. This ensures all their birra acquires its signature taste - complex, malty and hoppy with citrus undertones.

Then, and only then, can it be considered of adequate quality to become Menabrea.

The Publican Awards​

Menabrea will be bringing their aperitivo bar to the Publican awards so that guests can enjoy a refreshing pint of Menabrea Bionda, bottle of Ambrata or Zero Zero before and after the ceremony.

They will have a special guest with us on the evening as Franco Thedy, 5^th​ generation of the Menabrea family, will be hosting on the evening. Franco is looking forward to meeting you on the night.

Tasting Notes​

Menabrea Bionda​

Menabrea is matured gently in the perfect temperature of their cave cellars for a taste of superior clarity. This 4.8% ABV pale lager is well balanced between citrus, bitter tones and floral, fruity undertones giving a consistent and refined flavour. It has a complicated malty, hoppy taste with an exceptional head retention due to the quality of their ingredients and maturation process.

Zero Zero​

Alcohol-Free Beer: Zero Zero is a golden yellow, alcohol-free lager beer produced using a bottom-fermenting yeast. It has a finely balanced taste and excellent, compact foam. Delicate, yet full bodied given its zero level of alcohol.

Ambrata​

A 5.0% ABV Amber Beer, full bodied and well rounded, with a moderately bitter flavour. Amber in colour with bronze overtones, this lager is another example of the brewery's exceptional capabilities.

Menabrea Bionda is available on draught in 30L & 50L kegs as well as packaged in 330ml and 660ml bottles. Menabrea. Menabrea Zero Zero and Ambrata are available in 330ml bottles. 

You can purchase Menabrea from the leading wholesalers in the country including Matthew Clark and Bibendum.

Visit menabrea.co.uk​ for more information.​