From Lavis to Val di Non

On the Avisio hills

Our tour of the craft beers of western and central Trentino starts in Lavis, which is 8 km north of the city of Trento. After you cross the bridge over the Avisio, you’re faced with the spectacular sight of the Giardino dei Ciucioi. Looking like something out of a fantasy story, the vertical garden was created in the mid-19th century by the visionary entrepreneur Tommaso Bortolotti.  

 

Nero Brigante

Nero Brigante in Sorni is a brewery in the Avisio hills just outside Lavis where you can sample amber Fra Diavolo or Zio Ulrich weizen. To appreciate the differences, notes and pairings, take your time and let Rudy Zeni guide you through them.     

Maso Alto 

Leonardo and Andrea have converted an old Trentino farmhouse in the hills into a brewery. They collect mountain pine needles in the woods and grow hemp between the rows of hops, then use them in their beer. 

In Piana Rotaliana Königsberg

Heading towards Val di Non, you’ll go through Piana Rotaliana Königsberg, which Cesare Battisti called “the most beautiful vine-filled garden in Europe”. It’s dotted with vineyards, villages, wineries and distilleries. Make sure you don’t miss Monreale Castle, a solitary stronghold near the village of Faedo. 

Birra del Bosco 

When you’re in Piana Rotaliana Königsberg, stop off at Birra del Bosco in San Michele all’Adige. The crew (Marco, Mauro and Federico) only started out because they wanted decent beer to take around with them, but then they got a taste for it and began taking it all seriously. 

In Val di Non

Ask anyone what Val di Non is famous for and they’re bound to say “apples”. Fields largely covered with apple orchards and huge medieval castles are the distinguishing features on the sides of the valley. 

Val di Non is one of the areas with the highest concentrations of castles in the whole of Europe: some still have people living in them, whereas others are abandoned and others still lie in ruins. One that’s open to visitors is Castel Valer. The counts of the Spaur family lived there for nine centuries, until very recently. Inside, everything is perfectly preserved. For example, the frescoes by the Baschenis family in the San Valerio chapel are still as rich and colourful as when they were originally painted. 

If you’ve booked a holiday in Trentino, you’ll be able to use your Trentino Guest Card to get special deals on Castel Valer entrance tickets.  

BirraFon 

The team of five young people at the Birra Fon brewery in Fondo have a beer to pair with every type of food, from fresh cheese and mixed grills to chocolate desserts and even sushi. They have one called Rio Saaz that’s dedicated to the canyon in the valley. 

Km8 

At Km8 in Cunevo, they make beer with hops grown in the valley and add must from the vines (Groppello di Revò and Müller Thurgau from Valle di Cembra). 

LM Melchiori 

Lucia Maria Melchiori’s brewery makes a beer that's bound to take your breath away: Pombier! It’s an unfiltered creation that’s a mix of craft beer and Trentino apple juice.