Blondes and darks have always been dividing. But never before have we talked about them as in recent years, especially if they are handcrafted. In short, the war between Guelphs and Ghibellines in Italy seems, for one reason or another, to have no end even if in the world of beers silencing duelists is craft beer which makes them gloat about the proliferation of craft breweries in the area: at the end of 2018 there are in fact along the Boot 667 craft breweries and 284 beer firms (brewers in third-party establishments). The product brands are instead 8.388.
Positive notes also come below the occupational aspect: comparing 2017 with 2015, the realities that employ from 1 to 5 employees grew by 57%, with 551 new jobs (+60%), while those with more than 50 employees increased by 36%, with 206 new hiring (+4%). The sector picture outlined by Beer Attraction (an Italian Exhibition Group event held at the Rimini fair from 16 to 19 February) also shows that the beer sector, as a whole, generates a turnover of 8,6 billion with estimated consumption at the end of 2018 of almost 13 million hectoliters. Of these, 58% is sold in large-scale distribution and the rest in traditional retail and in HoReCa, a sector - the analysts explain - which continues to play a fundamental role: restaurants, bars, pubs and pizzerias in fact represent 41% of consumption of beer and generate 75% of the revenues of the Italian beer sector.
Then entering the sphere of large industry in the sector, the large beer production plants present in the country sThere are 14 of them and they employ 87.660 people. The related industries amount to 115 jobs. Going down instead in the analysis of beer consumption it seems to be increasingly important in the away-from-home sector, where it generates annual revenues of over 6 billion euros. Especially in the last 5 years beer consumption in Italy increased by 44% and beer is increasingly considered a drink to be enjoyed all year round and no longer only in certain periods, even if around 50% of consumption is recorded between May and September. The industry picture also records that today 77% of Italians drink beer and 55% do it every week. 86% consume it at home, 81% also in bars. Out of ten beers bought, 42% of Italians drink about half in clubs, with similar values in all areas of the country.
Finally from the food and wine point of view for 2019 a new trend seems to be emerging from the American West Coast that looks to the bubbles of France and Italy: sThese are Brut Ipas, brewing productions characterized by a decisive hopping, marked dryness and limpid appearance, to the point of recalling the drinkability of champagne and sparkling wine.
