The festival that has been awarding the best Italian beer producer for 16 years returns to Florence from 18 to 19 January 2025.

Brewer of the Year organized by the network Ferment Beer during the two days at Teatro Cartiere Carrara (formerly Tuscany Hall) will involve over 50 Italian breweries identified by the votes of 100 judges (professionals and experts spread across the territory) and by the best 50 brewers according to the ranking of the previous edition (see regulation ).

It starts on Saturday 18th January (2 sessions of 5 hours each, from 12pm to 5pm and from 7pm to midnight) with an all-inclusive formula that allows unlimited tasting of the beers produced by the 20 breweries nominated for the Brewer of the Year award and the 3 producers nominated for the Emerging Brewer award. To participate, you will need to purchase the Saturday Beer Pass specific to a session (purchasing online entitles you to a reduced entrance fee of 5 euros, instead of 10). An exclusive offer, with a limited number of entrances designed to maximize the experience (no queues, the possibility of interacting with brewers and experts, seats), which will guarantee enthusiasts a selection of beers ( see complete list ) served and described by the brewers themselves and, above all, maximum freedom of choice without having to think about paying during serving. On the stage of the theater there will be alternating free tastings guided by expert tasters – confirmed Simone Cantoni and Simonmattia Riva – supported by the brewers. In addition, the “Fermento Italia” corner is planned with a selection of two breweries curated by the Fermento Birra editorial team. During this day, an extra space with seats and tables will be set up.

Also for Sunday 19th January , new compared to past editions, it will be necessary to purchase the Beer Pass (purchasing online entitles you to a reduced entrance fee of 5 euros, instead of 10). A super 6-hour session (12-18) that will allow you to freely taste the beers present : a selection made from the best products of the top 50 breweries according to the Brewer of the Year award ranking, enriched by the beers of the 3 emerging breweries ( see the complete list of beers present ). Unlike Saturday, a slightly higher turnout is expected (20%) but maximum liveability will still be guaranteed thanks to the limited number, while the draft offer extends from 25 to 50 breweries. At 1 pm the free tastings will begin on the stage of the theater, while at 3 pm the winners of the national homebrewer competition will be announced. The awards for the Emerging Brewer and the Brewer of the Year will be celebrated, again on Sunday, on the stage starting at 4 pm (live Facebook on the page of the Brewer of the Year ).

During the festival there will be no shortage of good food thanks to the presence of quality street-food with regional specialties (the food present at the event can be purchased with cash or credit card directly from the exhibitors). The Publiacqua station will guarantee free drinking water, while the rinsing point will allow you to clean your glass between one tasting and the next.

A showcase event for Italian craft beer, now recognized internationally, which will allow true beer lovers to live an experience in contact with the protagonists of the sector, enjoying the best productions.

Brewer of the Year is an event organized by Fermento Birra with the collaboration of Mr Malt, J-Software , Fermentis, Polykeg , Corimpex and GAI . Technical partner: Prinz and Rastal . Media partner: Fermento Birra Magazine .

Candidates for the title of Brewer of the Year 2024:

Agostino Arioli and Maurizio Folli of the Birrificio Italiano in Limido Comasco (CO) Simone Bedeschi and Saverio Casadei of the Bajön brewery in Porto Corsini (RA) Samuele Cesaroni of the Brasseria della Fonte brewery in Pienza (SI) Enrico Ciani of the Birra dell’Eremo brewery in Assisi (PG) Luca Dalla Torre of the Bondai brewery in Sutrio (UD) Pietro Di Pilato of the Brewfist brewery in Codogno (LO) Conor Gallagher Deeks of the Hilltop brewery in Bassano Romano (VT) Lorenzo Guarino of the Birrificio Rurale in Desio (MB) Giovanni Faenza of the Ritual Lab brewery in Formello (RM) Emanuele Longo of the Birrificio Lariano in Sirone (LC) Giorgio Masio of the Altavia brewery in Quiliano (SV) Elia Pina of the 50&50 brewery in Varese Marco Raffaeli from the Mukkeller brewery in Porto Sant’Elpidio (FM) Luigi Recchiuti from the Opperbacco brewery in Notaresco (TE) Marco Sabatti from the Porta Bruciata brewery in Rodengo Saiano (BS) Luca Sartorelli from the Ca’ Del Brado brewery in Rastignano (BO) Cecilia Scisciani and Matteo Pomposini from the MC 77 brewery in Serrapetrona (MC) Luca Tassinati from the Liquida brewery in Ostellato (FE) Marco Valeriani from the Alder brewery in Seregno (MB) Josif Vezzoli from the Elvo brewery in Graglia (BI)

Candidates for the title of Emerging Brewer 2024:

Roberto Falasca from the Zero.5 brewery in Monterotondo (RM) Filip Lozinski from the Wild Raccoon brewery in Cussignacco (UD) Giacomo Maule and Mirko Boggian from the Sorio brewery in Gambellara (VI)

“Fermento Italia” corner selection:

Piero Cavalleri and Irene Castellazzi from the Birrificio Finalese in Finale Ligure (SV) Davide Cairello from the Legnone brewery in Dubino (SO)

It is not time that makes history, but choices. And Andreola’s 2024 was a year of courageous choices, challenges won and successes that speak with the force of facts.

Forty years after its foundation, the Valdobbiadene company confirms itself as the protagonist of a narrative made of territory, dedication and identity. A story that is renewed from harvest to harvest, season after season, rooted in the solidity of the land and projected towards the future with a far-sighted gaze.

2024 also marked the celebration of Andreola’s fortieth anniversary. To honor this milestone, the company chose to create something concrete and lasting: a celebratory box dedicated to the ” Rive “, the purest and most authentic essence of Valdobbiadene DOCG. A work that is not just form, but content. Inside the box, the most intimate and unrepeatable expressions of the vineyards that Andreola cultivates with dedication. A project that wanted to talk not only about wine, but about time, stories and landscapes. And the market responded. With great attention and interest, it was enthusiastically welcomed by the protagonists of the sector and by enthusiasts, reinforcing the perception of Andreola as an interpreter of an excellence that is never flaunted, but always recognized.

The highlights of 2024 are marked by the awards and recognitions obtained. Each medal, each score, is a tangible sign of the value of scrupulous work. Among the many achievements, the Tre Bicchieri del Gambero Rosso and the Corona of the Vinibuoni d’Italia guide awarded to the Founder 2023 stand out, a symbol of a production philosophy that puts the territory at the center. And again, the Mas de Fer 2023, which won the title of best Prosecco in its category according to Falstaff Sparkling Special 2024 , with 94 points certifying its excellence. No less important, the Col del Forno 2023, awarded with Gold at The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters and with the prestigious recognition The WineHunter Award . These achievements are just a part of a larger mosaic, a path that has seen Andreola labels shine in all the main national and international competitions, confirming the qualitative consistency of each single bottle.

2024 was a year of targeted and strategic investments . In the vineyard, the commitment went beyond ordinary management. The abundant spring rains caused small landslides in some historic areas, requiring extraordinary interventions to ensure the stability of the soil and safeguard the vitality of the roots. In the cellar, the introduction of new tanks made it possible to keep the vinification of the individual vineyards separate, a choice that allows us to enhance the peculiarities of each parcel and bring the authenticity of each terroir to the bottle. The purchase of a screw capper then gave impetus to a new project dedicated to the IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti wines, opening up new perspectives and new ways of telling the story of wine.

The market responded, and Andreola was able to strengthen its presence abroad , growing in Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the Baltics, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Ukraine and Hungary. Mature markets such as Germany and Malta confirmed their stability, while new opportunities emerged in strategic areas. This scenario confirms a change in trend in global consumption: people drink less, but choose to drink better.

In this context, Stefano Pola continues to believe, helped by his team, in the qualitative coherence and in the ability to tell the authenticity of a territory of each of his products.

Gesualdo da Venosa is the absolute protagonist with numerous awards in wine competitions and in the 2025 sector guides.

The wines of Cantina di Venosa every year conquer the limelight in the most important wine competitions at national and international level, obtaining excellent results also in the main 2025 guides of the sector. In particular, the wines obtained from the grape symbol of this land stand out: the Aglianico del Vulture.

In 2024, in fact, the awards obtained were numerous, with the Gesualdo da Venosa Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2020 establishing itself as a protagonist, winning: 4 Tralci from the AIS Vitae 2025 guide, the Top Hundred recognition from Il Golosario, the Silver Medal Città del Vino, the Gold Medal at the Wine Hunter Award in Merano, the recognition at Vinoway Selection 2025. Gesualdo da Venosa, but for the 2021 vintage, which also obtained the prestigious 5 Grappoli on the Bibenda 2025 guide and, for the 2019 vintage, 1 Cavatappi on the first edition of the Untold guide – what has not yet been said about wine.

Also awarded were the Verbo rosso Aglianico del Vulture DOP 2021 with the Città del Vino Gold Medal and, with the 2022 vintage, with the Red Medal in Merano. Also at the Wine Hunter in Merano, awards for the Matematico gran selezione IGT 2021 which won the highest recognition, the Platinum Medal, the Carato Venusio Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG 2013 Underwaterwine which obtained the Gold Medal, while Sentinel Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2021 and Verbo Basilicata Bianco Malvasia IGT 2023 won the Red Medal.

Three important awards for Terre di Orazio Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2020 : 2 Corkscrews from the Untold Guide, recognition at the Sud Top Wine competition and the title of “Best red wine to buy” in the selection of the important German magazine Weinwirtschaft.

Awards also for the Carato Venusio Aglianico del Vulture DOCG Superiore 2017 with 3 Cavatappi, the highest recognition of the Untold Guide, for the Baliaggio Rosato IGP 2023 and the Verbo Rosato IGP 2023 at the Concorso Enologico Rosa Rosati Rosé

Furthermore, Cantina di Venosa triumphed in the “ Ethical Agriculture ” category of the event “Agriworld Talk. Stories of Businesses. People. Territories”, an award that celebrates the Lucanian cooperative’s commitment to sustainability and the enhancement of the territory.

” We are deeply proud of the numerous awards that our wines have received again this year. Awards that represent the result of collective work, made of passion, dedication and a deep bond with our land, the Vulture. Each bottle tells a story of tradition and innovation, a balance that allows us to best express the unique potential of our grapes, starting obviously with Aglianico. These successes are not only a source of satisfaction for our cooperative, but for all our winegrower members, who with their daily commitment continue to raise the quality of our products, giving value to the territory for a sustainable future of Lucanian viticulture”, Francesco Perillo – President of Cantina di Venosa .

“Number one” balance sheet of the group for the first time as a first-degree cooperative: turnover 206 million euros, net profit 1.6 million, assets 79.3 million, surplus value to members 8.2 million euros. Exports at 71 million. Cevico exports to 90 countries around the world, the first three markets: United Kingdom, Japan and Sweden.

TERRE CEVICO: 2023-2024 FINANCIAL YEAR RESULTS PRESENTED.

Terre Cevico faced its first harvest as a first-level cooperative. An important test, also of an organizational nature, passed despite the many meteorological adversities. Over 960,000 quintals of grapes delivered and the mechanized harvest now represents 75% of the total. The Terre Cevico Cooperative confirms itself among the main players in Italian wine and the presentation of the 2023/24 budget took place late yesterday afternoon (10 December) at the Teatro Socjale in Piangipane during which the Sustainability Report (2023/2024) was also presented for the seventh consecutive year.

The first balance sheet with the incorporations in operation (Le Romagnole, Winex, Romagnole 2, Due Tigli, Rocche Malatestiane, Enoica) shows a consolidated turnover of 206 million euros with a net profit of 1.6 million euros , a surplus value for members of 8.2 million euros (the value originating from the difference between the liquidations of the products contributed and the market price) and net equity of 79.3 million euros . From 1 January 2024, a new organizational structure: from a Consortium to a first-level Cooperative with an entirely internal production chain, a winegrower member at the center of the system and a new Board of Directors.

The comparison with previous years therefore records a consolidated turnover up 5% compared to the previous year. A figure that even rises in double figures in the last three years for a growth of 51% compared to the 2020/2021 financial year (136 million) also as a function of the acquisitions made.

As regards the packaged sector, the Italian market is the one that is growing the most, rising to 83.7 million euros, recording a 3% increase over the previous year (81.2 million). Exports today account for 46% of the group’s packaged product revenues. The Lugo Cooperative now operates, also through its subsidiaries, in 90 countries with leadership in some areas such as Japan, Sweden, the United States, China, Ukraine and in the last seven years it has seen strong growth in exports, going from 42.9 million in the 2017/18 financial year to 71 million (65%). The top three foreign markets for bottled products are the United Kingdom (9.5 million euros), Japan (7.7 million euros) and Sweden (6.5 million euros).

The Italian channel grows in value in the large-scale retail market with 54.7 million euros (3.4%) and in the Horeca channel which is worth 19 million euros (7.8%).

The Assembly in Piangipane

The data were presented yesterday (December 10) in the Budget Assembly held at the Teatro Socjale in Piangipane, which saw the interventions of Franco Donati, President of Terre Cevico, Linda Faggioli, Administrative and Financial Director, Paolo Galassi, General Director, Alessio Mammi, Councilor for Agriculture of the Emilia-Romagna Region, and Paolo Lucchi, President of Legacoop Romagna. Also present were Cristian Maretti, President of Legacoop Agroalimentare, and Daniele Montroni, President of Legacoop Emilia Romagna.

They said in the Assembly.

Franco Donati , President of Terre Cevico: “The Cevico system has achieved important results for its members in 60 years, but to continue on this path, it is necessary to manage growth with productive and organizational efficiency. It would be a serious mistake to allocate additional resources only to plug inefficiencies without addressing the necessary organizational, corporate and technological innovations. Outside, no one gives us discounts and all agricultural cooperation that looks to the future must orient itself towards the market without hesitation, without leaving anyone behind but also taking on the responsibility of making essential choices to make it possible for cooperative principles to coexist with being a true business. The reorganization of Terre Cevico is going in this direction and the numbers in this budget and the 2025 budget are concrete proof of this”.

Alessio Mammi, Regional Councillor for Agriculture of the Emilia Romagna Region : “ Congratulations to Terre Cevico for the important results that demonstrate the ability of cooperation to respond to the difficult and complex challenges we are experiencing: from climate change, to increased costs, to changes in consumption. We are the Region that exports the most wine and food in Italy for 10 billion euros, thanks to the quality of its production, its organization, food safety and its strong identity in the world. As a Region we want to accompany Cevico’s growth path, by implementing important projects to support the sector. Even more so in 2025, when Europe will be called upon to make important decisions starting with the new CAP. Because Europe can only have a perspective if it gives a future to the agri-food supply chains, as Draghi indicated in his Report ”.

The closing was entrusted to Paolo Lucchi, President of Legacoop Romagna : “ It is not by chance that we are in this Teatro Socjale. Here in 1911 the land was acquired by the CAB of Piangipane (Cooperativa agricola braccianti, which is part of the assets of the current CAB Terra) and in 1920 the farm workers built it, inaugurating it a year later. This is the home of cooperation. The budget presented tells us that the numbers are important but it is essential to highlight that behind them there is the work of many people. There is the responsibility of a large cooperative group towards the territory. The sector faces many challenges starting from climate change, a change that is in the facts and that tells us that agriculture will have to be different. Together with this there is the issue of finding personnel, of the international markets in continuous change, of inflation that limits purchasing power. Many challenges that can be faced by focusing on innovation and on the bond with the territory that must never be lost. Two paths that Cevico has undertaken as confirmed by the approved budget data .”