Glorioso, Italia! The land of pizza, pasta, gelato, and vino. But what about beer?!

Well. Italy’s craft beer scene has been booming in the last decade, with more independent breweries popping up. Experiment with different brewing methods and beer styles - especially cold, crisp lagers. Well, it gets pretty warm out there, right?

For the most part, Italian brewers have embraced a modern style of beer that combines traditional German methods with Mediterranean flavours and refreshments. We call this an Italian-style lager. Some craft versions are typically more hoppy in aroma, too.

What Is An Italian-Style Lager?

Like many of our beers in the UK, Italian-style lagers (also known as Mediterranean lagers) are inspired mainly by popular German-style Helles and Pilsners beers.

However, the Italians have adapted the beer style to be lighter, smoother, and less bitter. Making it more enjoyable to sip under the sweet Mediterranean sun.

They use more malt and hops to create the lagers fruitier than other styles. They also brew at a higher fermentation temperature, making the lagers slightly sweeter, smoother, and easier to drink. It's a summer dream!

Peroni and Birra Moretti are popular (non-crafty) examples in the local supermarket or pub.

OUR TAKE ON THE ITALIAN-STYLE

At Triple Point, we talked about how much we love an Italian-style lager. This got us thinking… we’ve brewed many lager styles, from German and Czech to Viennese, so why not brew an Italian one, too?!

And just like that. The eureka moment sparked. And Briganti – our vegan and gluten-free Italian-style lager, was born.

We decided to use German Hallertau Mittelfruh and American Cryo Loral hops for Briganti. This combination, used late in the brewhouse, gives the beer a gently hoppy aroma without the bitterness. It also provides the fruity characteristics the Italians love!

Of course, the key to a proper Italian lager style is in the mouthfeel. To achieve that, we use Maize and Golden Naked oats. Making it proper, smooth, and rounded. And everything you want from an Italian lager.

After a load of really great feedback, we decided to make Briganti one of our core beers. The beer even brought home the title of Silver in the Premium Lager category in the SIBA Independent Brewer (Bottle and Can) Awards in late 2024.

Not bad for our first pop at an Italian lager, eh?

So... Why Briganti?

The history of Sheffield and the surrounding areas doesn't begin with steel! In fact, it dates way back to Roman times.

The Romans referred to Yorkshire as ‘Brigantia’, and its people as the ‘Briganti’ (translating to ‘hill people’). Which, to anyone who lives in, or even visited Sheffield, will agree it’s pretty hilly around here. With almost no routes for more than 5 minutes that don't include some kind of hill.

So, when one of our team of history nerds read a book about the Roman conquest of Britain under Claudius in 47 AD and discovered that one of the main tribes resisting to the Roman invasion of Britain were the Brigantes... well, it got the creative juices flowing.

The Brigantes initially resisted Roman rule. But later, under Queen Cartimandua they decided to cooperate, even handing over the rebel leader Caratacus. Queen Cartimandua was later deposed, enabling the Brigantes to revolt against Rome before eventually being under direct Roman control.

We had no idea there was so much Roman influence in the Sheffield area! (it might also not have been precisely in modern-day Sheffield, but we’re going to take some creative license here and say that it was).

So, when the time came to name our Italian lager, there was only one choice: a tribute to the early Italian collaboration with the Hill People of Sheffield. Briganti!

BRIGANTI

4.5% Italian-style lager.

• Crisp. Fruity. Mellow.
• Crisp, Italian-style lager brewed with soft Sheffield water.
• Vegan and gluten-free.
• Gently toasted malts and mellow, fruity hops - Hallertau Mittelfruh and Cryo Loral.

Cheers!

#TheBeerComesFirst