Nine days of festival with 50 breweries, over 100 events, 20 street kitchens and an entire city protagonist of the story of taste and territory: Biella becomes the virtual capital of Italian beer in September, transforming itself into a great stage dedicated to beer culture, food and wine and the valorization of the territory.
The event, Bolle di Malto, recognized in 2024 as the Best Food and Wine Event in Italy at the TTG Travel Experience in Rimini, will showcase every aspect of the beer world. For nine days, Biella's historic center and numerous venues in the surrounding area will host tastings, concerts, masterclasses, cooking demonstrations, meetings, visits to company museums, outdoor activities, training sessions, and initiatives dedicated to inclusion, involving citizens, businesses, institutions, industry professionals, and visitors from across Italy.
The opening event, scheduled for September 30th at 3:00 PM, will feature a powerfully symbolic moment: the traditional descent of the beer keg from the Oropa Sanctuary to the heart of the city. This journey becomes a metaphor for sharing, participation, and community, made even more significant by the presence of athletes from the ASAD Biella association. This year, the association is celebrating 30 years of commitment to promoting inclusive sport and the full participation of people with disabilities. The journey will conclude in front of the Baptistery and the Biella City Hall with the traditional opening ceremony and the tapping of the first keg.
The festival's growth, which in recent years has exceeded 135 attendees, cementing its position as one of Italy's most important events dedicated to the beer industry, is part of a context in which the beer sector continues to represent a significant asset for the national economy. According to AssoBirra's 2025 Report, Italian consumption remained above 21 million hectoliters, confirming the market's substantial stability compared to the pre-pandemic period despite a slowdown in demand. Among the most significant trends is the strong expansion of the non-alcoholic beer segment, whose market share increased from 2,1% to 3,9% between 2024 and 2025, a sign of an evolving sector increasingly focused on attracting new consumers.
In this context, Bolle di Malto presents itself not only as a festival dedicated to enthusiasts, but as a national platform for promoting the beer industry, bringing together producers, institutions, businesses, and local communities. An event that, through craft beer, showcases a development model based on quality, sustainability, culture, and tourist appeal.
"The eleventh edition of Bolle di Malto represents a year of transition for us, and at the same time, a year of planning for the future," explains Raffaele Abbattista, co-founder of the event. 2026 is also the year in which we lay the foundations for the next development cycle. As an association, we are addressing the changes required by the Third Sector reform and, in parallel, we are planning the next nine editions of Bolle di Malto, from 2027 to 2035. The goal is to complete the journey of the Italian Beer Fair, making it increasingly a national reference point and, by 2035, hosting over 500 exhibitors.
The appointments not to be missed
From September 4th to 6th, the Italian Beer Fair returns to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Conceived as a meeting and discussion space for the entire Italian beer industry and the Ho.Re.Ca. sector, the Fair will bring together breweries, companies, distributors, institutions, operators, training organizations, and industry stakeholders. Over three days, the program will feature talks, masterclasses, guided tastings, presentations, cultural events, and networking opportunities dedicated to the major themes reshaping the industry: innovation, sustainability, quality, training, conscious consumption, and supply chain development. More than just an exhibition space, the Fair aims to be a laboratory of ideas and connections, designed to foster dialogue between the public and industry professionals and offer insightful insights into the prospects of Italian craft beer and its growing role in the national food and wine landscape.
Among the key events of the Show is the return of the Stati Generali della Birra (Beer General Assembly), now in its fifth edition, with three meetings dedicated to the major themes transforming the industry: the culture of tasting, new consumer and mixology trends, and the challenges of the supply chain, including sustainability, innovation, and energy. The program is further enriched by a calendar of masterclasses and guided tastings led by beer experts and industry professionals, dedicated to discovering Italian Grape Ales, non-alcoholic beers, and pairings with chocolate, local products, and other culinary delights. This experiential journey is designed to introduce the public to the culture of craft beer through product descriptions, tasting techniques, and the industry's new frontiers. Alongside events in the historic center, Bolle di Malto offers a calendar of experiences to discover the Biella area through nature, culture, and food and wine. The program includes Bolle di Malto in Quota, a bike tour of local craft breweries, and a trek to Gorgomoro. An offering that strengthens the event's tourism potential and enhances the region through an authentic and accessible experience.
In 2026, Bolle di Malto confirms its commitment to being an open, free, and inclusive event. Free admission isn't just an organizational choice, but a concrete form of accessibility: it allows everyone, including individuals and families experiencing greater economic hardship, to participate in a major public event, attend free concerts featuring nationally and internationally renowned artists, and share opportunities for culture, encounters, and socializing.
In addition to events in the city center, Bolle di Malto will offer experiences dedicated to exploring the Biella area. These include Bolle in Quota, an experience combining walking, nature, craft beer, and conviviality; an e-bike tour of Biella's craft breweries; a periurban trek to Gorgomoro dedicated to wellness and immersion in nature; as well as cultural visits and itineraries exploring the local production and landscape heritage.
