Birrificio Angelo Poretti

Angelo Poretti: A Pioneer in Italian Brewing

Birrificio Angelo Poretti is a renowned Italian brewing company located in Varese, Italy. It was founded in 1877 by Angelo Poretti, a visionary Italian man with a deep passion for the art of brewing.

In the mid-19th century (1800-1850), beer was not as prevalent in Italy as wine. However, Angelo Poretti saw its immense potential and aimed to introduce this quality beverage to the Italian people. He embarked on a significant journey to learn and gain experience in beer production from the world's leading brewing centers in Austria, Germany, and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).

Throughout this journey, he met numerous Brewmasters (experts responsible for overseeing the entire beer production process in a brewery, a crucial role in crafting and controlling beer quality). This exposure provided him with in-depth knowledge of excellent brewing methods, including essential tips and techniques.

Establishing the Brewery: At the Pure Mineral Springs of Valganna

After accumulating valuable experience and sufficient capital, Angelo Poretti returned to Italy in early 1877. He then, together with his wife Franziska Peterzilka, established a brewery in his hometown, in the Valganna Valley near Varese, Italy.

The choice of this location demonstrates a profound understanding of a critical factor in good beer production: water. The Valganna Valley boasts pristine natural mineral water from the Campo dei Fiori mountains, renowned for its exceptional clarity and purity. It even earned the nickname "Water from patient wells" due to beliefs about its healing properties. This pure water is a cornerstone that gives Poretti beers their unique taste and consistent quality.

The brewery officially opened on December 26, 1877, under the name Birrificio Angelo Poretti. Angelo Poretti made substantial investments, importing the most advanced brewing technology of that era to his brewery. Furthermore, he fully leveraged the creativity and techniques he learned abroad, from meticulous quality control at every stage and careful selection of raw materials to the fermentation and aging processes, and even hiring experienced Brewmasters from abroad to oversee production.

Early Success and Growth

In 1878, the first batch of beer from Birrificio Angelo Poretti was released to the market in Varese and nearby towns. Soon after, the brewery received overwhelmingly positive feedback from consumers, thanks to its outstanding quality and taste.

In 1881, shortly after the brewery's launch, Angelo Poretti was invited to participate in the National Exposition in Milan, Italy. This marked the first significant success that brought his brewery national recognition within the brewing industry. This proud achievement also led to Angelo Poretti's election as president of the Italian Brewers Association in 1884.

In 1908, the company constructed a new main brewing facility featuring Art Nouveau architecture. This building stood out with its intricate decorative elements, such as hop-shaped floral motifs and wrought-iron barrels, clearly reflecting its purpose. Additionally, the building utilized characteristic yellow and grey colors, harmoniously symbolizing beer.

This brewery is not merely a production hub; it serves as a "living museum" showcasing contemporary engineering art and innovation. To this day, the brewery remains a symbol that seamlessly blends modern technology with timeless tradition.

An Enduring Legacy Amidst Change

One of the core tenets of this brewery is "respect for tradition" alongside relentless technological development. This includes the implementation of the DraughtMaster system, which reduces CO2 usage and enhances environmental friendliness, and the integration of new technologies to aid production while preserving the traditional taste.

After Angelo Poretti's era, the company passed to the Bassetti family in 1939 and was continuously managed. Later, in 1982, the Carlsberg Group from Denmark acquired 50% of the shares and gradually increased its holdings until it became the sole owner of the brewery in 2002.

Despite undergoing two changes in ownership, the brewery has remarkably preserved its Italian identity and original spirit. It has also expanded continuously, increasing production capacity and enhancing technology to meet the demands of a constantly growing market. This expansion has extended Birrificio Angelo Poretti's reputation beyond its region, gaining international recognition.

Naming Philosophy and "Food Pairing Beer"

Birrificio Angelo Poretti is well-known for naming its products with numbers, which indicate the number of hop varieties used in each beer type. For example:

• 3 Luppoli (Splügen): A golden lager style beer with approximately 4.8% ABV.
• 4 Luppoli Originale: A traditional lager style beer with approximately 5.0% ABV.
• 5 Luppoli Bock Chiara: A light Bock style beer with approximately 6.5% ABV.
• 6 Luppoli Bock Rossa: A red Bock style beer with approximately 7.0% ABV.
• 7 Luppoli Non Filtrata: An unfiltered amber lager style beer with approximately 7.0% ABV.
• 8 Luppoli Saison Chiara: An amber Saison style beer with approximately 6.0% ABV.
• 9 Luppoli Witbier/Porter/IPA: An American India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer with approximately 5.2-5.9% ABV.
• 10 Luppoli Birra Champagne: A Specialty Beer, Champagne Beer or Bière Brut style, with approximately 6.0% ABV.
  
  Another distinguishing feature of Birrificio Angelo Poretti beers is the original concept of making beer a true "companion to the dining table." Therefore, these beers are specifically developed to enhance food flavors, making them suitable for drinking on their own or pairing with pizzas, pastas, cheeses, other traditional Italian dishes, as well as cuisines from around the world.
  
  Throughout its long history, Birrificio Angelo Poretti has maintained its unique identity and quality. The brewery remains committed to Angelo Poretti's original recipes and brewing philosophy but continuously embraces new innovations to create a diverse range of beers that cater to evolving consumer tastes. This makes Birrificio Angelo Poretti more than just a beer; it's a symbol of a long-standing passion for the art of brewing.