The last ten years has  seen a boom in the production and popularity of craft beer in Rome.

A cold draft beer might not be the first thing you thing of when in Rome given that one thing Italy is world famous for is wine. Whether you are in search of a strong and hoppy IPA or a complex sour brew we have the place for you in our guide to craft beer in Rome.

Helpful Vocab: Look for the phrase birre artigianali which means a non-commercially brewed beer. Birra alla spina = draft beer. Birra alla lattina = canned beer.

Open Baladin

With 40 Italian beers on tap plus a selection of over 100 bottled Italian and international beers you can not say they don’t have something for you at Open Baladin! Teo Musso has been passionate about craft beer for decades and opened his first pub in the northern city of Cuneo in the late 1980’s. His creative streak has led to collaborations with American Craft beer pioneer Sam Calagione. Combine your love of archeology and beer with a bottle of Etrusca, a beer brewed with ingredients that have been selected on the basis of the findings from several Italian archaeological sites to create a beer which the Etruscans may have drunk more than 2,500 years ago. Hamburgers, and fresh potato chips called Le Fatate (we recommend the cacio e pepe flavor) are the highlights on the food menu. The space is enormous with a maze of different rooms but book ahead or plan on a wait on most evenings. 

Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà

One of Rome’s first places for craft beers this small spot in Trastevere has a revolving selection of 16 beers on tap. At Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà Belgian Lambics, Irish Stouts and Italian brewed IPA’s are regular features. The staff has an encyclopedic knowledge of what they are serving and are happy to help you find something to your taste. There are tables inside and TV’s with live sports but the real scene here in outside on the street. 

Brewdog Bar

You can have a cold draft next to the Colosseum at the internationally branded Scottish Brewdog Bar. Popular IPA’s, sour Gose, and classic Pilsner styles are just a few of your choices here. If you want to try a few beers ask for a flight. There is always music on and a friendly vibe here. The menu is pub-grub style with nachos, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches. 

Eataly

Eataly is a multi-leveled food shopping extravaganza in Ostiense. In the mix of shelves of pesto and pasta, banks of fresh fish and fragrant bread are restaurants and bars and an on-site brewery! La Birreria has 14 beers on tap and more than 400 bottled beers available. A full menu is offered with pizza, pasta, roast chicken and sandwich choices. 

Mercato Centrale

At some point during your trip you are going to find yourself at Termini, Rome’s main train station. Walk all the way to the far end of the station through the department store and past the car rental offices and you will find the Mercato Centrale. In the middle of more than 20 different stands is the Luigi Moretti beer house that has a small election of commercial and craft beers on tap and a nice selection of bottled craft beers.  Food options range from Roman artichokes to Japanese Ramen with pizza, pasta, and gelato in-between. 

L’Osteria di Birra del Borgo

A short walk from the Vatican is L’Osteria di Birra del Borgo. The enormous space is a hybrid Osteria, Birreria and cocktail bar that combines some of Rome’s biggest food and drinks personalties. Former academic Leonardo Di Vincenzo combined his passions and created Birra del Borgo. With roots on the border of Lazio and Abruzzo the beers reflect the region and incorporate wild yeasts. Pizza comes in a sharable form called Teglia with classic toppings like Margherita and our favorite; creamy burrata with anchovy and cherry tomato. The menu has lots of options for vegetarians and gluten free eaters. Cocktails are by the Jerry Thomas Project