The current issue of Vue Weekly is running my review of Bruton Bianca (sorry, no link yet – you will have to go analog and pick up a paper copy). As I have mentioned earlier, it is a nice interpretation of a Witbier, a bit too spicy and could be a bit softer, but I enjoyed it. But the review is really just an excuse to once again highlight that craft beer is slowly spreading itself around the world, including Italy (I highlighted Italian beer on my CBC column a month back, which I posted about here). It is a bit of a repeat from the CBC piece, but, as always, I try to insert something new. This time I add a personal angle.

When I did my requisite post-University backpack around Europe too many years ago, I distinctly remember the beer in Italy, well, sucked. I think I made three attempts and threw in the towel, opting for red wine for the rest of my journeys across the boot. And over the years the odd Italian beer would make it onto a shelf near me, to be quickly sink dumped or ignored. So, imagine my intrigue to see, over the course of a couple of months, not one, but two Italian craft breweries hit the Alberta market. Both Birrificio Del Ducato and Birrificio Bruton look and feel like classic American-style craft brewers. A wide range of offerings, a focus on quality and flavour, respect for traditional styles while not being afraid to experiment. Worth a try.

I have had a few from each now. Overall, as might be expected, the results are mixed. Some were so-so, some didn’t travel well and others are quite lovely. But that really isn’t my central point here. I want to highlight that increasingly you can find good craft beer brewed anywhere. And this is not only encouraging, it is thrilling. The more cultures that see beer as something more than yellow swill, the more beer will take its rightful place alongside wine and scotch as a beverage worthy of fine appreciation.

AND it tells me that on my next trip to Italy (whenever that might be) I will be drinking as much beer as wine.