Faith, Beer, and Other Things That Interest Geoff

Italians Discovering Microbreweries

And their inspiration is from America.

Although certain European nations have a strong tradition of brewing distinctive, on-the-premises products, the fad for microbreweries appears to have sprung to life in Italy fully-formed as a US import .

"I think the concept of brewpubs and microbreweries in Italy has almost nothing to do with nearby countries and their history - such as Germany, Czechoslovakia or Belgium - and everything to do with the America, where these kind of places are enormously popular," said Guido Taraschi, president of the association uniting Italian microbreweries, Unionbirrai.