When it comes to the best Italian beer, most people get it completely wrong. Think about Italy, and wine is probably the first thing that comes to mind – and you’re not wrong.
But here’s something most people don’t realise. When you sit down for a pizza in Italy, more often than not, it’s pretty standard to have a cold beer on the table.
Now before anyone starts a war, yes, wine is technically considered a better match – but that’s a conversation for another day! When it comes to beer, most people outside Italy know one name… Peroni, or maybe two if they’re lucky, and they assume that’s the best we have.
No, no, no.
Italy has range of beers. Some that I’ll admit, taste like flat, lifeless bubbles and others crafted so beautifully they’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about beer.
So I’ve ranked Italian beers from the cheap supermarket cans all the way up to the ones that are so refined they feel closer to a great wine than a simple lager – and trust me some of these will surprise you.
And because beer and food always go together in Italy, I am also sharing the perfect food pairing for every beer that made S, A and B tier. Something the video does not cover – and something that might change the way you enjoy your next lager!
Watch: Ranking Italian Beers from Worst to God Tier
Best Italian Beer Ranking (What’s Worth Drinking and What to Skip)
Let’s get one thing clear first. This ranking is based on three simple things.
1 – The head, or as we call it in Italy, the schiuma.
Does it sit there like a perfect cappuccino, thick and creamy, or does it disappear in seconds like a soft drink? That already tells you a lot.
2 – The pizza test.
Does the beer actually cut through the grease of melted cheese and refresh your palate… or does it just sit there doing nothing? A good beer should reset your mouth and make you ready for the next bite.
3 – And finally, the quality.
Does it taste mass-produced, made to be cheap and forgettable or crafted with care, using local ingredients and proper technique that you can actually taste?
Because beer shouldn’t just be cold… it should make you close your eyes and go “ahhh” after the first sip.
D Tier: Cheap, Lifeless and Honestly… Why?
Castello
You find this at the bottom shelf for a reason. It exists to be cheap, that’s it. No aroma, no body it’s just bubbles.
This is not something you sit down and enjoy… this is something you grab when you don’t want to think. And honestly? I wouldn’t even suggest what to eat with it.
Dreher
This one has history… but the taste? It’s a little metallic and a little flat.
If someone hands it to you at a beach party, fine… drink it.
But if you actually have a choice? You can do much better.
C Tier: Decent, But Trying Too Hard
Angelo Poretti
You’ve seen the bottles with big numbers everywhere. Four hops. Five hops. Nine hops.
It’s not a bad beer. I’ve had it many times. But it feels like it’s trying to impress you instead of just being good. And that’s the problem.
There are better beers out there that don’t need all that marketing.
B Tier: Good, Easy, and Food-Friendly
These are the best Italian beers for everyday drinking – reliable, food-friendly, and always worth having on the table.
Birra Moretti
The man with the moustache, you might have seen him. Slightly maltier, a touch sweeter than Peroni, and very easy to drink and very Italian.
Perfect for a barbecue, this is the kind of beer that belongs on the table when there’s real food in the middle. Think a big tray of lasagna or a baked pasta with béchamel, something rich, layered, and full of flavour. Where lighter beers disappear, Moretti holds its ground. The gentle maltiness and subtle bitterness balance the dish instead of getting lost in it.
It’s been doing this for over 160 years. So yes, the man with the moustache knows exactly what he’s doing.
Safe choice? Yes.
Bad choice? Never.
Peroni Red Label
The classic, the one everyone knows. Crisp, dry, refreshing, but let’s be honest, it’s not the most exciting beer on this list.
That said, it has its moment.
This is the beer you reach for when the pizza is hot, cheesy, and a little too indulgent. It refreshes your palate just enough to keep you going for another slice. And it works just as well with Roman classics. A proper carbonara, cacio e pepe, something rich, salty, full of Pecorino and fat. The beer cuts through it just enough to keep everything balanced.
Reliable? Yes, but maybe not the most memorable.
A Tier: Where Beer Starts Getting Interesting
Menabrea
Brewed in Biella, in the north of Italy, near the Alps, using pure mountain water and you can taste the difference immediately. It’s smooth, clean, and elegant.
This is one of the oldest breweries in Italy, operating since 1846, and it shows. There’s a purity to this beer that doesn’t try to impress you, it just speaks for itself.
This is works best, served with simple food done properly. A classic Margherita pizza. An antipasto board with prosciutto, aged cheese, maybe a bit of focaccia on the side. Nothing complicated, nothing over the top.
Because this beer doesn’t fight the food, it lifts it. It makes everything around it taste even better.
Birra del Borgo (Ambra)
Now this is where Italian craft beer starts to show what it can really do.
Fresh, aromatic, and complex. You get a gentle sweetness, a hint of spice from coriander and orange, and a depth of flavor that actually stays with you.
Finally… a beer that can stand next to a proper sugo. Think amatriciana, Bolognese, puttanesca. Rich tomato sauces that usually overpower a standard Italian lager.
That rounded maltiness, with a subtle toffee note, matches the depth of a slow-cooked sauce in a way that just makes sense.
This is where if you are going to choose beer over wine, it finally earns its place next to a proper Italian dish.
S Tier: The Best Italian Beer You Can Find
Ichnusa Non Filtrata
The soul of Sardinia… and it even comes in that squat little bottle you can spot from a mile away. Unfiltered, cloudy, yeasty and full of life.
This is not a delicate beer, and if you’re in Sardinia, not something you skip.
It’s the kind of beer that needs fire. Smoke, fat, grilled meat, sausages or even better, porchetta. Something crispy, juicy, dripping with flavour. The richness of the beer, with that unfiltered body and depth, stands up to it perfectly and cuts through every bite. In Sardinia, for example, that means porceddu, slow-roasted suckling pig cooked over fire. Anywhere else, just give me good quality meat on the grill and this beer next to it.
If you’re drinking this with a salad, you’re doing it wrong.
Baladin Nazionale
This is not just beer, this is art. Created by Teo Musso, the father of Italian craft beer, this is where things change completely.
You smell it and immediately you know it’s different. Citrus, floral notes, almost like walking into a bakery.
And because of that, you don’t bury it under heavy food. This is an aperitivo beer. A few olives, some taralli, a slice of focaccia, maybe a bit of burrata. You sip it slowly, you enjoy it, and then you move on to the meal.
Made with 100% Italian ingredients, from barley and hops to Alpine water and even hints of bergamot and coriander, this beer has a level of elegance that deserves attention.
This beer deserves its own moment.
Birra Messina
Straight out of Sicily and mamma mia, it’s genius.
They use sea salt crystals in the brewing, and you can really taste them. That slight salty finish lingers just enough to make you want another sip immediately.
Alongside this beer, the food has to match that Mediterranean feeling. So, go for fresh mozzarella, a simple caprese, or even grilled swordfish. Light, fresh, full of flavour and not too heavy. That gentle salinity in the beer mirrors the best ingredients from the island. It doesn’t overpower them, it meets them.
Final Thoughts: Life Is Too Short for Boring Beer
Beer should never be boring and it definitely shouldn’t be something you drink without thinking.
The best Italian beer is not always the one you know, it is the one that surprises you. They’re also about experience, food and sitting at the table and enjoying the moment.
So next time, don’t just grab the first thing you recognise – try something different.
Because once you taste a proper Italian craft beer there’s no going back!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is schiuma in Italian beer?
Schiuma is the Italian word for the head of a beer, the foam that sits on top when you pour it. In Italy, the quality of the schiuma is taken seriously. A good schiuma should be thick, creamy, and sit there like a perfect cappuccino. It tells you immediately how well the beer has been brewed and stored, and how correctly it has been poured. In fact, a schiuma that disappears in seconds is a sign of a beer that has been rushed, poorly handled, or simply not worth your time. It is the first test of any Italian beer.
What is the best Italian beer?
If you want the best overall experience, Ichnusa Non Filtrata, Baladin, and Messina are all S tier. Each one offers something unique, from depth and richness to elegance and freshness.
Peroni or Moretti, which is better?
Peroni is lighter and more refreshing, while Moretti is slightly maltier and better with food. If you’re eating, Moretti usually wins.
What is the difference between filtered and unfiltered beer?
Filtered beer is clear and lighter. Unfiltered beer, like Ichnusa Non Filtrata, keeps the yeast inside, giving it a fuller body, flavour, and character.
What Italian beer goes best with pizza?
A clean, balanced beer like Menabrea or even Peroni works well with pizza, especially if it’s rich and cheesy.
Is Italian craft beer worth trying?
Absolutely. That’s why breweries like Baladin and Birra del Borgo are proving that Italy can compete with the best craft beer in the world.
Do Italians drink beer with food?
Yes, especially with pizza, grilled meats, and casual meals. Beer and food go hand in hand, just like wine.
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Do you agree with my best Italian beer ranking or did I just start another debate? If you enjoy rankings like this, you’ll love these ones too.
- BEST ITALIAN WINES RANKED – From everyday favourites to true Italian icons, this list breaks down what’s worth your money and what isn’t.
- RANKING ITALIAN STREET FOOD– From crispy bites to messy masterpieces, this ranking takes you through the best street food Italy has to offer. Beware, this list might change your mind about what’s truly worth the bite.
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