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Everyone's crazy about beer, even celebrities: former rugby player Stefano Oliviero is now an established master brewer

Famous faces and former athletes, like Stefano Oliviero, reinvent themselves in the world of food and wine. After conquering the rugby field, Oliviero has launched himself into beer production, even winning a bronze medal in Barcelona. Jenson Button, former Formula 1 champion, also co-founded the brand “Blue Coast Brewing Company.”

Everyone's crazy about beer, even celebrities: former rugby player Stefano Oliviero is now an established master brewer

In the world of entertainment, music and sport, more and more celebrities they dive headlong into thefood and wine, becoming protagonists even outside their sectors. It is not uncommon to see them producing craft beer, but also oil, wine and liqueurs, transforming personal passions into real business. Movie stars, TV stars and world-class athletes are putting their personal touch on these products, proving that talent can come in many forms.

An Italian example of this trend is Stephen Oliver, a former rugby player from Rovigo who left the playing fields to become a master brewer. After winning the championship with the Under 19 and Under 21 teams, he played for years at a high level, before making a radical change. His journey into the world of beer began in England, during a sporting trip, where Oliviero decided to dedicate himself completely to craft beer. During the lockdown he attended a master brewer course and in 2021 he founded vojo, starting to produce it on board a camper van.

Stefano Oliviero and Vojo beers

Today, Vojo offers a creative range: the I want to dare (pale ale), the I want to get bored (smoked beer), the Oops (brown ale) and even a strawberry beer called Strawberry. But the real masterpiece is the Radiro, a unique bitter made with four varieties of radicchio, including the “Rosa di Lusia”. This surprising mix won a bronze medal at the European fair in Barcelona.

With his growing production (220 hectoliters in 2022) and a field of barley and hops, Oliviero looks to the future with an agritourism in the pipeline and an ever-wider distribution. And he is not alone: ​​his mother, his wife Giulia and his children Emma and Riccardo are all involved in the enterprise.

From the pitch to the mug: Athletes who are betting on craft beer

Oliviero is certainly not the only athlete to have found a new way in beer production. The trend is also widespread internationally and includes athletes from different sports, from Formula 1 to football, to basketball. For example, Jenson Button, former Formula 1 champion, co-founded the brand “Blue Coast Brewing Company.”, offering craft beers inspired by his passion for racing. Also Ciccio Caputo, the Sassuolo striker, has invested in the world of hops with his Birra Pagnotta, a high-fermentation drink enriched with Altamura Dop bread. Christian Vieri launched Bombeer, a lager available in three variants: blue for the national team, pink for women and white, with custom options. In the world of basketball, the former NBA player Chris Bosh has invested in craft beer, supporting local breweries and helping to create new flavors that reflect its innovative spirit. These former professionals see craft beer not only as a profitable business, but also as an opportunity to express their creativity and connect with their audience.

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