Upcoming events: Italian Oktoberfests, Tripel Pride, Birre dal Basso, BeerCatania, and more

Oktoberfest in the Dark Ages 2026

At St. Bartholomew's by the Sea (IM) - 9/19/2026 to 10/4/2026 (schedule)

The Oktoberfest returns from Saturday, September 19th to Sunday, October 4th at the medieval inn Ai Secoli Bui, in the village of Poiolo in San Bartolomeo al Mare (IM). Now in its twentieth year, the event offers a selection dedicated to German beer tradition and Oktoberfest styles, rotating on the eight taps. Accompanying the beers will be a special menu inspired by Bavarian cuisine, reinterpreted by the inn's kitchen, served for lunch and dinner throughout the event. Live music and themed displays will complete the atmosphere, transforming the medieval rooms of the venue into an unusual blend of Liguria and Bavaria. Given the event's traditional attendance and limited number of tables, reservations are recommended. For more information and reservations, visit the Ai Secoli Bui dedicated link.

OktoWarFest

In Cassina de' Pecchi (MI) - from September 19, 2026 to October 4, 2026 (information sheet)

From Saturday, September 19th to Sunday, October 4th, the tap room at the WAR brewery in Cascina San Moro di Cassina de' Pecchi (MI) will be transformed for OktoWarFest, the farm brewery's signature Oktoberfest. The star of the show will be Crocs, the pale lager brewed especially for the occasion. The program includes two evenings of live music with the Bros Band, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the tap room's outdoor spaces, which have been expanded for the summer with a new barbecue area in the farmhouse courtyard and the former barn. The kitchen offers a selection of Oktoberfest-style shareable dishes: potatoes with onion and speck, pretzels stuffed with speck and aged stracchino cheese, hot dogs with sausage and sauerkraut, as well as a veggie option. Open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information and reservations, visit the dedicated WAR brewery link.

The Other Oktoberfest 2026

In Villalba di Guidonia (RM) - from September 24, 2026 to September 27, 2026 (information sheet)

This year, the Golden Pot in Guidonia (RM) is once again offering The Other Oktoberfest, an alternative take on the famous Bavarian festival. As always, it will be held in two stages: on Saturday, September 19th, the Fass Night preview will feature free-flowing kegs and a selection of German trash pop music until closing time; and from Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, September 27th, The Other Oktoberfest proper. On Thursday and Sunday, the program opens and closes with a live performance by Oktoberbrass, while on Sunday, the opening is early at 11:00 a.m. for lunch. A selection of traditional German beers are on tap, along with Marzen and Smokehaus Blues brewed in-house at the brewpub. The kitchen will offer reinterpretations of traditional Bavarian dishes: pork shanks, giant schnitzels, dumplings, chicken, and generously portioned sausages. For more information, visit the Golden Pot Instagram page.

Beercult 2026

In Aosta (AO) - from 25/09/2026 to 27/09/2026 (data sheet)

From Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, BeerCult, the beer culture festival, returns to Aosta, in Via Festaz, with a Special Edition that coincides with the return of the European Market to Piazza Plouves and Via Torino. Birrificio Leoni, Bière du Grand Saint Bernard, and Birrificio Baladin will be present. The program includes a gourmet food pavilion, with food pairings designed to complement the beers, as well as the European Market, featuring products and specialties from across the continent. The event runs non-stop from 9:00 a.m. to midnight for all three days. For more information, visit the BeerCult website.

The Lowlands Excite Me

In Quiliano (SV) - from September 25, 2026 to September 27, 2026 (information sheet)

From Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, the "La Bassa mi Esalta" (Low-Fermenting Excites Me) initiative will take place in Quiliano (SV), a showcase of Italian bottom-fermented beers conceived and organized by the Altavia brewery at its headquarters in the Vallata dei Tecci. Alongside the hosts, the event will feature creations from Alder, Baladin, Bajon, Batzen, Beba, Bibibir, Biren, Birrone, Birrificio Italiano, Bondai, Busalla, Elvo, La Piazza, Lariano, Leder, Mastino, Mukkeller, Ritual Lab, Shire, and 50&50. The program opens on Friday evening with a tasting talk led by Luca Giaccone, curator of the Slow Food Guide to Italian Beers (reservations required). On Saturday and Sunday, the taps will open to the public, offering 23 beers at a time, with free admission. The food will be provided by the Elvo brewery, featuring signature street food: BBQ sandwiches, Roman-style teglia (a type of fried bread), and fried foods. For more information, visit Altavia's Instagram page.

BeerCatania 2026 - Acitrezza

In Acitrezza (CT) - from 25/09/2026 to 27/09/2026 (information sheet)

From Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, the BeerCatania event returns, changing location for the first time, moving to Acitrezza, at the Scalo di Alaggio, facing the Faraglioni. Following the May edition at Villa Pacini, the festival is offering a special edition, tailor-made for its seaside setting. Birra Nursia, Brewfist, Terre a Sud Est, Epica, Cantaloop, Birrificio dell'Etna, and Birrificio Lariano will be present. The program includes over 100 styles of draft beer, a wide selection of street food, and live music for three days by the sea. For more information, visit the BeerCatania website.

Melegnano Beer Festival 2026

In Melegnano (MI) - from September 25, 2026 to September 26, 2026 (information sheet)

From Friday, September 25th to Saturday, September 26th, the Melegnano Beer Festival returns, a two-day event dedicated to craft beer in the heart of Melegnano, at the Miscela social bistro. Participating breweries include Picobrew, Birrificio Italiano, Brewfist, La Bruciata, Birrificio di Ringhiera, and Meltz, as well as selections from Melegnano Beer Market and Il Barbarossa. The program features live music, and admission is free. More information is available on the Miscela Facebook page.

Beer from the Lower Bologna

On Saturday, September 26th, Birre dal Basso, an independent craft beer festival, will be coming to Bologna for the first time at the Fondo Comini on Via Aristotile Fioravanti. The festival will feature Birrificio Aimara, Kaos, Birrificio Lucano, Fermenti Sociali, Taverna del Vara, Mosto Italiano, Birrificio del Golfo, Resaka Brewing, and Panchovilla. The program includes the opening of stands with direct sales, a guided tasting workshop entitled "What's Inside the Glass?", free tastings in the afternoon, the presentation of the comic "Storie per Renato," and a concert by the Bolognina Roots Family followed by a DJ set in the evening. For more information, visit the event's social media channels.

Tripel Pride 2026

After a few years' hiatus, Tripel Pride returns on Saturday, September 26th. The event, organized by Schigibier and dedicated to one of the most iconic styles of Belgian beer art, will be held at Hibu on Tap in Concorezzo (MB). A wide variety of Tripels from Italian and international breweries will be available for a high-alcohol showcase. For all updates, including those regarding the tap list, follow Schigibier's Instagram page.