There’s a lot more to Italy than pasta, pizza, and wine. Come discover why brewers all over the world are saying “Bravo!” to Italian craft beers.
This tour takes place in Lombardy in Northern Italy, starting in Piacenza and ending in Milan. We will visit 7 breweries, share many great meals and enjoy the beauty of Italy.
- This tour has a difficulty level of 3/5. Day 1 and 6 are flat, day 2-5 have rolling hills each day. If you are not a frequent cyclist we recommend you to book an optional e-bike.
- Foodies rejoice: Enjoy not just excellent beers but an endless variety of cheeses, true Italian cappuccinos, gelato (!!), and all the other fabulous food that Italy is known for! The standard of food quality here is the highest in the world. Every local café serves high end cappuccino, every random restaurant serves delicious fresh food with local ingredients.
- We’ll have a private tour at many of the breweries we visit–each one unique! Beer tastings are typically generous, often paired with excellent local food, and are included in your trip fees!
- We will visit the beautiful historic towns of Cremona, Brescia and Bergamo’s Citta Alta (we include a guided walking tour here), ride through the famous Franciacorta region, famous for its sparkling wines, and visit the gorgeous Lake Iseo.
- On this tour we will be led through a tasting by international beer judge and certified Cicerone Simonmattia Riva. He will include some Italian Grape Ales (IGA’s), the only original Italian craft beer style: a hybrid between beer and wine.
- In Brescia we visit craft beer pub “Spine”, where our host Simone Roversi serves us a dinner buffet with authentic Brescian local specialties, made by the neighbor restaurant “I Du Dela Contrada”.
- The last night of our tour we visit Birrificio WAR, located on an “Agriturismo”, which is a typical Italian B&B on a farm, where we do a tour, tasting and a pizza night.
- Hotels, bike / bag rentals, breakfast, lunch, snacks, brewery tours, and beer samples all included. Vehicle support provided for groups of at least 8. Group dinners are organized each evening, with everyone paying for their own meal and drinks.
Breweries
From Sours to Barrel-aged Stouts, IPA’s and Wheat Beers, this tour has something for everyone’s palette.
Typical breweries we visit on most tour include:
- Birrificio Brewfist – Legends in the Italian beer scene. We’ll visit both their production facility and their modern “Terminal 1” tasting room. Beer and food pairings Italian style await us!
- Birrificio Riversa – Riversa is situated on a old Italian farm (Cascina) in a small nature reserve. A beautiful location, and enthusiast owners full of ambition! We will do a tour, and a tasting here. They brew about 6 different beers.
- Birrificio Curtense – Curtense was founded by two friends, of which Matteo Marenghi is the brewer. In 1999, at the age of 17 he bought is first homebrewing kit! With the great joy of his parents he filled the entire house with bottles, not always with excellent results. Eventually in 2011 he started to brew commercially. Today Curtense brews excellent beers of various styles. They have both a core range and many one time brews, of which many are award winning beers.
- Birrificio Porta Bruciata – High quality beers (their IPA’s belong to the best of Italy) made in an innovative brewhouse. Everything here is about high tech and high quality, combined with a high standard of taste when it comes to beer.
- Birrificio WAR – WAR stands for We Are Rising. A brand new brewery and taproom, located on an “Agriturismo”, which is a typical Italian lodging: a B&B on an actual farm. Farm, B&B, brewery and taproom are all run by the same family. Italian hospitality and craft beer at its best!
- Birrificio Misma – Founded in 2019 by 5 friends, all passionate about beer and craft production. This is why their beers are all unfiltered and not pasteurized, full of taste. They brew a wide variety of beers of both top and bottom fermentation, and they use many local ingredients in their beer.
- Birrificio Gorgonziner is (of course) located in Gorgonzola. Former homebrewers who started their own commercial brewery during the pandemic: their brewhouse was installed the week before the first lockdown. Tasteful beers that get even more yummy when it gets paired with some Gorgonzola cheese!
Itinerary / Stats
Locations and distances vary from tour to tour, but generally fall between these guidelines:
- Day 1 – 36 miles. We meet in front of the Piacenza Train Station, do a morning ride to Brewfist for lunch, tour and tasting. Then we do an afternoon ride to the beautiful town of Cremona, which is famous for its violin makers. Stradivarius is the most famous one, but still today several violin makers are in operation here.
- Day 2 – 39 miles. Today we have a flat morning ride to the charming Italian cafe, Manerbio, where we have lunch. A more hilly ride in the afternoon, with a visit to Birrificio Riversa, located on a farm surrounded by vineyards. We spend the night in Brescia, where a group dinner is planned in the best beer bar in town, Spine. Good friends of Beercycling, they helped us a lot setting up this tour.
- Day 3 – 26 miles. Today we’ll have some rolling hills along the vineyards and wine chateaus of Franciacorta. We visit Birrificio Porta Bruciata at 10am for a tour and 1 beer. Then on to the taproom of Birrificio Curtense, for a tasting and lunch. We then will ride along the gorgeous lake of Iseo, where we stay the night.
- Day 4 – 30 miles. Our morning ride is still in the Franciacorta region, and we will do a beer stop at Birrificio Misma. The young owners still work part time in the brewery, and we are very excited to welcome us in their brewpub to listen to their story and to taste their beers. After lunch we ride straight to Bergamo, where we do a long uphill ride to the old city centre, Citta Alta. Before we start our guided historical walking tour we enjoy a “Stracciatella” at La Marianna, who got world-famous for inventing this type of ice cream in the early 60’s. Tonight we do a beer tasting led by international beer judge and certified cicerone Simonmaatia Riva, owner of the little beer bar across the street of our hotel. He will let us taste some exclusive Italian Grape Ales as well. IGA is the only true Italian craft beer style, a hybrid between beer and wine.
- Day 5 – 38 miles. Today is the longest ride of our tour which starts slowly uphill, until we cross the double layer bridge of San Michele. From there we ride along the river Adda the rest of the day which is constantly a little downhill, super easy. We have lunch along the riverside, and visit Unesco’s World Heritage town of Crespi d’Adda. A guide will tells us all about this beautifully renovated industrial town that was full of innovation on both technical aspects as well as in the way they took care of employees, their housing etc. Tonight we stay in Gorgonzola, and visit birrificio WAR, for a tour, tasting and pizzas.
- Day 6 – 11 miles. After checking out Gorgonzola and its blue cheeses, we do an easy flat ride along a small canal all the way into Milan. The tour ends at a taproom of Birrificio La Buttiga from Piacenza, where we sample our last beers and have lunch. Early afternoon we end our tour, return our bikes and get our luggage. We arrange taxis to Central Station.
Markers show start + overnight hotel and B&B locations…
Photos from this tour
Tour FAQ's
What is included in trip cost?
- All hotel and B&B accommodations. Typically 3 stars, and when possible near the brewery we visit each day. All rooms include a private bathroom.
- Daily breakfast and lunch, and lots of snacks each day.
- All Italian tours are lead by Henk, Beercycling’s veteran European guide. A 2nd, Italian guide is available for groups of eight or more.
- Daily route planning, including itineraries and suggestions for where to eat / what to do in each town / maps / etc.
- A multi-speed touring-compatible bicycle, helmet, and lock. (More about the bikes in the section below)
- Luggage Transport is always included in this tour, although we require a minimum 8 riders to confirm departure.
- Entrance fees to all brewery visits, including lots of free beer tastings!
- A welcome package that includes a T-shirt plus other goodies.
- Email / phone contact with your guides prior to the trip. You get to ask as many questions as you like, talking directly to your tour guides.
What is not included?
- Airfare to and from the trip.
- Transportation to the trip meet-up location (although we do offer an airport pickup service).
- Lodging before and after the trip.
- Gratuities for Beercycling tour guides.
- Personal items purchased during the trip.
- Alcoholic beverages. (but plenty of beer is included at each brewery tour)
- Optional group dinners are organized each evening but are not included in the tour price. Explore regional cuisine on your own or with the group, as you like. Your guides will be happy to offer recommendations.
Let's talk weather
Like most places these days, the weather in Italy can be unpredictable. Summers may be very hot, which is why we plan our tours for the spring and fall. But even then, the usually mild weather can be interrupted by wet and possibly cold days, so riders need to plan for any situation. The number one thing that will ensure you have a comfortable tour is a good rain jacket that you have tested is fully waterproof. We will be riding each day, rain or shine.
Wind is normal in Italy. Although the routes are flat, we can occasionally get a strong headwind, which will make the cycling more challenging.
Tell me more about the bikes
On our Italian tours we use “Van Nicholas” brand road titanium hybrid with 27 gears. The bikes can be equipped with flat or clip-in pedals, per your request.
What about the bike paths / difficulty of riding?
The landscape is this region of Northern Italy is extremely flat which allows for easy pedaling. 99% flat. The roads are rural, expect a combination of farm roads along with an occasional bike lane on a lower Belgium has an extensive bicycle route system. A good majority of it is traffic-free and will take us through farms, small villages, and alongside streams. The road condition traffic highway. The roads are paved, with a small percentage of dirt paths. Our guides have all the routes planned out ahead of time in order to ensure everyone’s safety, minimize car traffic, and make the ride pleasurable.
The daily riding mileage averages out to be 30 miles (48 km) per day, longest day is 40 miles / 64 km. Expect about 4-5 hours a day on the bikes. (not including stops). Our pace along the rides greatly depends on the condition of our group but in general we will be traveling at a leisurely pace. For tours with two guides we can always split into two groups if necessary during the tour. Expect some stops for taking photos and breaks every 45-60 minutes.
I’m not a strong cyclist. What do I need to do to prepare for the ride?
Our longest day on the bikes will be about 40 miles (66 km). In order to properly train for this trip, you should be able to ride your bike at least this distance. While we strongly encourage everyone to train beyond this point if possible, at a minimum please complete a 40-mile / 66-km ride. And it’s also a good idea to practice being on your bicycle multiple days in a row to build your “saddle strength”. Also, keep in mind that we cannot control the elements. A possible windy, wet day will be much harder on the bicycles, so please take that into account with your training plan.
What are the maximum / minimum number of riders on this trip?
In order to keep the trip organized and give every rider individual attention, most trips will be limited to 14-16 people (including guides). The minimum for most tours is 5. We will notify you when the minimum has been met for your tour.
What if we don't have enough people to include vehicle support?
We will email the group once we confirm departure, and then again when we have enough to confirm the support vehicle. If we are not able to provide a support vehicle you will have the option to join us on a self-supported tour, or a full refund. We try to make these decisions at least 2 months prior to the start of a tour.
How do I reserve my spot?
Simply follow the link below to our registration page. You’ll need to fill in all of your information, including your 500 USD deposit per person now. We will send you a link to pay the remaining balance, which we must receive no later than 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
What if I change my mind or change my travel plans. Can I get a refund?
We can issue a partial refund if necessary as follows:
- 90 days or more before departure date = 100% refund minus bank / credit card feeds.
- 60 to 89 days before departure date = You will incur a 50 USD cancellation fee plus bank / credit card feeds.
- 45 to 59 days before departure date = Will will incur a 100 USD cancellation fee minus bank / credit card feeds.
- Shorter than 45 days notice = We cannot issue a refund after this time due to lodging, bicycle, and tour reservations already being placed..
If I select a “shared room”, who will I be sharing with?
If you are traveling with another person, we will place you together in a room. (there are 2 people and 2 beds per room). If you are traveling by yourself (or with an odd number of people) then we will do our best to match you up with another rider on our tour of the same gender.
If you are in a room by yourself you will need to pay a single supplement fee.
We cannot currently offer a triple room discount as not all hotels offer triples.
What ages are allowed to attend?
21 and over.
What about drinking and driving? Isn’t it illegal to ride a bicycle intoxicated?
Yes, it is illegal to ride a bike intoxicated. The follow items are put in place for this tour:
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When possible, our beer / brewery / biercafe visits will be at the end of the day.
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There are several days where the brewery visit is mid-day. Riders will be expected to use moderation when drinking beers during the daily rides. There will be several occasions where we will stop for lunch and have a beer, however, this does not mean we will accept or tolerate over-drinking when additional riding is necessary.
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On most occasions our riders tend to share beers with each other. This helps everyone a sample a larger variety of beers, limit their intake, and also save money. We encourage this method when possible.
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All riders are required to sign a waiver at the beginning of the tour removing us from liability if over drinking cases any damage of any kind. This is non-negotiable.
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Due to each rider’s size / weight / body type, we cannot easily put a hard limit on the amount of drinks one consumes before becoming intoxicated. Since we’re all adults everyone will need to make these decisions on their own. (Although our guides won’t hesitate to let you know if we think you’ve had too much)
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own bike with the following conditions:
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In must be in good enough condition to support you and your equipment for the length of the tour.
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If the tour is self supported it must have a rear-rack that can hold panniers, which you we can loan you, or you can bring your own.
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You also bring your own lock.
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You bring your own spare tubes.
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We have plenty of extra helmets if you need to borrow one.
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Beercycling will not be liable for damages made to your personal bike on the trip, although we will help when possible with mechanical issues or questions.
Is English widely spoken in Italy?
There is a decent amount of English spoken in Italy. All of our brewery tours will be in English. On the tours with a 2nd guide, he or she will be a local Italian able translate as needed.
What are the average prices for beer / food / etc in Italy?
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Bottle of beer = 4 to 5 Euros at a cafe (rare and speciality beers will be more)
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Dinner = Expect about 15 to 30 Euros for a good-sized quality meal.
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Tipping is not obligatory as this is service is included in VAT (Value Added Tax) at all restaurants. That said, a small tip 5% or leaving behind extra change is appreciated.
What kind of food will be served?
- Breakfasts are mostly typical “continental style,” which will vary but usually include breads and bread rolls, jams, cereal, milk, juice, coffee, fruit, cheese, yogurt, meats, and pastries. Every hotel we use on our tours provides breakfast, so in the morning you can eat whenever you wish before our departure time.
- Snacks – Along the ride the guides will carry snacks that can be shared by the entire group. These will include candy, energy bars, fruit, extra water, etc. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own snacks or buy them along the way as well.
- Lunches – We will enjoy lunches mostly at a bicycle-friendly cafes along our route. Expect longer lunches with 2-3 courses of traditional hearty Italian food in lively dining rooms surrounded by locals.
- Dinner – Optional group dinners are organized each evening but are not included in the tour price. Explore regional cuisine on your own or with the group, as you like. For most people the Italian lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and at night people prefer to eat something lighter / smaller, which can be either traditional Italian (a pizza or pasta) or burgers with an Italian twist: including basil, mozzarella, or with buffalo meat (very popular in the craft beer scene!)
- If you have any special dietary restrictions please make a note of this on your registration form. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.
What do I need to pack for the tour?
We recommend packing light. (More room to take beer home!) For self supported tours, the bags on the bikes are fairly large and should accommodate all necessary clothing for your tour. If you run out of room in your bags we can either help you mount another bag on the top of your rear rack, or place some equipment on one of the guides bikes if available. Please keep in mind that you will have use of a storage facility at the bike shop on Day #1 you can use and reclaim your items once the tour is over. Laundry facilities will also be available in the big cities, so you can also pack less clothing and do laundry half way. A typical packlist for this trip is as follows:
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Lightweight shirts = 3 or 4
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Underwear = 3 or 4 pairs
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Socks = 3 or 4 pairs
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Pants = 1 pair
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Shorts = 1 pair (Padded cycling shorts are recommended if you haven’t spent much time on a bike seat)
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Waterproof lightweight rain shell
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Lightweight jacket
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1 pair of shoes for on the bike (cycling shoes or running/gym shoes is fine)
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1 pair of shoes for off the bike (hiking sandals or flip flops, or just skip this and use your on-bike shoes)
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Sunglasses
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Gloves (for cycling, should be lightweight)
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Water bottles are included with bicycle rental (or you can bring a camelbak which can double for extra storage)
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Camera + batteries + charger
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Personal documents (passport, credit cards)
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Hygiene products / Sunscreen / Chapstick
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Bungee cord (to strap extra items to your bike rack)
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A couple zip lock bags (helps on rainy days to extra waterproof your phone or other items)
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We do not recommend carrying a laptop computer due to space constraints. Several hotels will have computers you can use, or if you have a smartphone you can connect it to WiFi in order to get internet access. Some past riders have brought small netbooks which squeeze in nicely with luggage.
What kind of ID / documentation / visas / vaccinations will I need?
Depending on the country you are traveling from, please consult your embassy for visa information prior to arrival. In general, one does not need a special visa to enter/exit Italy. Please remember to bring a passport to show identification when necessary along the trip. Sometimes hotels will ask for copies of your passport when we check in.
No special vaccinations are necessary for travel to Italy.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is not required, but it is recommended. This can be used for lost luggage, medical expenses, etc. Each person is on their own for this, we do not offer an insurance policy. Also check with your credit card company, sometimes they offer included travel insurance.
What if Beercycling needs to cancel the trip?
In the very unlikely event that we need to cancel a trip each person will be issued a 100% refund. We cannot, unfortunately, provide a refund for your other expenses like airfare. In all cases Beercycling has backup tour guides waiting should something happen to your primary guide.
Am I required to tip my guides?
Nope. But tipping is very much appreciated and helps ensure the ability of our guides to run more and more tours each year!
Any other questions?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are happy to help answer even the silliest of questions!