Bologna’s best brewpubs & beer spots you must try

Beer Bologna birreria popolare

Bologna at night offers plenty of entertainment: theatre, live concerts, and vibrant nightlife. But let’s be honest—what’s better than hanging out with friends over a delicious craft beer?

While pubs, osterie, and restaurants are everywhere, many don’t pay much attention to beer quality.

Luckily, some places in Bologna treat hops as sacred.
Here’s where to find the best craft beer in the city.

What's Birra Artigianale?

In Italy, craft beer (birra artigianale) isn’t just a marketing term—it follows strict rules:

- Unfiltered

- Unpasteurized

- Brewed by independent breweries producing less than 170,000 barrels per year

The result? A completely different taste from industrial beer.
You don’t need to be an expert—just one sip and you’ll taste the difference.

Now, let’s dive into Bologna’s best brewpubs!

Beer in Bologna - Birra Cerqua microbrewery

The best brewpubs in Bologna

🍺 Astral Beers Pub – A cosmic craft beer experience

📍 Via Castiglione, 13/B | 📞 051 087 7855

If you’re looking for a stellar beer experience, Astral Beers Pub is the place to be. This pub is all about:

  • Rotating taps of craft beers from Italy and beyond

  • A laid-back, friendly atmosphere perfect for beer lovers

  • Great selection of IPAs, stouts, and experimental brews

Located near the city center, Astral Beers Pub is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore unique, high-quality craft beers in Bologna.

🍺 Baladin Bologna – Inside Mercato di Mezzo

📍 Via Clavature, 12 | 🌍 baladin.it

Start your beer journey at Mercato di Mezzo, a vibrant food market in the city center. Among the street food stalls, you’ll find the taps of Baladin—Italy’s first craft brewery, founded in 1986 near Cuneo by Teo Musso.

Even though Baladin has grown into a large company, it has maintained its high quality, making it a must-try for craft beer lovers.

Lortica brew pub in Bologna

Lortica in Via Mascarella, while stapling a Vecchia Orsa Incipit Weisse

🍺 Birra Cerqua – A true microbrewery experience

📍 Via Broccaindosso, 5 | 📞 051 028 6107

For an authentic microbrewery experience, head to Birra Cerqua, where you can:

  • Drink craft beer on tap

  • Listen to music on vinyl

  • Enjoy outdoor seating in summer

This spot is a hidden gem for those who love freshly brewed beer straight from the source.

🍺 Lortica – Craft Beer & Organic Wines

📍 Via Mascarella, 26 | 📞 051 587 6455

In the heart of the University District, Lortica is a cozy brewpub offering:

  • A carefully curated selection of Italian craft beers

  • Organic wines and quality food

  • A welcoming atmosphere

Try Birra del Ducato, Vecchia Orsa, or Retorto, some of the best Italian microbrews available on tap.

🍺 Birreria Popolare – Beer by the Two Towers

📍 Via dal Luzzo, 4a | 📞 348 035 4453

After a day exploring Bologna’s towers and porticoes, Birreria Popolare is the perfect place to unwind with a great beer.

  • Rustic ambiance inside

  • Romantic courtyard seating outside

  • A great selection of beers

This is a local favorite for a reason!

Birrai Eretici Beer Festival Bologna

Birrai Eretici Beer Festival in Bologna

🍺 Beer for Bunnies – A hidden gem on Via del Pratello

📍 Piazza S. Francesco 11a | 📞 339 197 4346

Love good beer and friendly service?
Head to Beer for Bunnies, where a passionate bartender will introduce you to some of Italy’s best craft beers on tap or in bottles.

A must-stop for beer lovers on a night out in Via del Pratello, Bologna’s most famous nightlife street.

🍺 Il Punto – A beer lover’s oasis

📍 Via S. Rocco, 1 | 📞 051 649 2895 | 🌍 puntobologna.com

For a relaxed yet refined beer experience, Il Punto offers:

  • A vast selection of Italian and international craft beers

  • Local gems like Cà del Brado

  • Tasting courses for those eager to learn more about craft beer culture

If you want to deepen your beer knowledge, this is the place to be!

🍺 Fuori Orsa Moline – Social beer project

📍 Via delle Moline 10/a | 📞 329 108 1797

A newcomer to the Bologna craft beer scene, Vecchia Orsa is not just about great beer—it’s also a social project supporting community initiatives.

Try all 12 of their craft beers and drink for a cause in this unique brewpub in the University District.

🍺 Amadeus Pub – Worth the extra mile

📍 Via G. Dagnini, 1 | 📞 051 623 4011

A bit outside the city center, but well worth it! Amadeus Pub has:

  • An extensive selection of Italian & international beers

  • A lively atmosphere, especially on game nights

  • Plenty of space, though it can get packed when Bologna FC is playing

A fantastic destination pub for beer enthusiasts.

🍺 Beerichino – Cozy & local

📍 Via Pietralata 49/A | 📞 349 369 9732

Small, intimate, and passionate about local craft beer. Beerichino offers:

  • A carefully curated selection of Italian microbrews

  • Delicious Km 0 snacks

  • A cozy, welcoming atmosphere

Perfect for those who appreciate quality over quantity.

Craft beer festivals you can’t miss

If you're looking for food festivals in Bologna to remember, Festa della Birra could be the right place (unless you drink too much to forget you've been there).

Join the MicroBo Beer Festival in September to see who will be the winner of the homebrewers contest.

But my favorite one is Birrai Eretici, in late spring.
You'll find heretical brewmasters to pair with some of the best pizza in Bologna and street food specialists like Ciao Kebab or Tito Sport.

Last but not least, Microbo Beer Festival would be the perfect pit stop after you've walked up to San Luca Basilica. They also organize guided tastings for real beer addicts!

Beer or Pignoletto? Your next drink in Bologna!

Now you know where to drink the best beer in Bologna.
But what if you’re more into wine?

Prosecco? In Bologna? No way!

Discover the real wine of Bologna with our exclusive Bologna wine tasting, where our expert sommelier Lorenzo, will introduce you to Pignoletto and other local gems.


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