Each beer tells a story.

When it’s craft and 100% local, even more!

It’s not a coincidence that the first person in Italy to produce artisan beer, Agostino Arioli, is right from Lake Como. After a series of workshops in German microbreweries, in 1996 Agostino founded Birrificio Italiano in Lurago Marinone. Since then, several artisan breweries have appeared in the Lake Como area, all with a common feature: a huge love of home brewing.

All these breweries gradually developed various styles over time, but there is a constant link to the area: so much so that some have used chestnuts or Lake Como honey to create a very special, top quality product that matches perfect with local dishes.

Have a look at these three unmissable pubs at Lake Como we have selected for you, beer lovers! We think they can be reasonably defined as little paradises for all those who have a genuine love for the world of craft beers.

Aqua Dulza

Aqua Dulza is somehow a hidden gem here on the western shore of the lake.

It was born in 2013 as a producer of craft beer; in 2017 they opened Casa Aqua Dulza in Tremezzo, a restaurant-brewery-shop.

This adorably vintage place is quite unique at Lake Como, as it’s more than a pub: it’s a restaurant, a shop, and a live music hub.

Casa Aquadulza is located in the inner streets of the historic village of Tremezzo (elected among the "most beautiful villages in Italy”), 250 meters from Villa Carlotta and only 30 meters from the lakefront.

Their craft beer is strongly linked to Lake Como, starting from the names of the three bottles produced: Via Regia (the name of the Strada Statale 340 that goes along the whole coast from Como to Colico; the special ingredient of this beer is mulberry), 3Mezzina (a funny way to write Tremezzina), and Patria (the great steamer that together with Concordia has been the symbol of navigation on Lake Como for almost a century; the special ingredient here is chicory).

Our favorite one is undoubtedly the 3Mezzina, with its hints of wildflower honey, fresh hay, light fruity and spicy. It’s very refreshing and it’s excellent when paired with lake fish dishes. Also, it boasts a very special ingredient: the Valtellina buckwheat - Slow Food Presidium!

The graphic concept of their bottles is just lovely: it evokes the thirties, the year in which Terragni imposed his Rationalist style throughout Lake Como.

What we love of Aqua Dulza is its experimental soul and its strong connection with our area!

Not to mention a fact that is particularly dear to our vision: each room has been restored preserving and enhancing the historicity of the building and its architectural peculiarities.

Cool vibe, live music, a romantic patio away from the summer heat, super tasty food and beer, and a friendly staff: what else?

Oh, don’t forget to ask for a Birramisù. We are not joking: here they make a delicious Tiramisù with craft beer. Proof of the pudding!

Via Mazzini 3, Tremezzo

+39 3287098099

www.aquadulza.it

info@aquadulza.it

DuLac

Let’s go now on the Lecco branch of our lake, precisely in Galbiate, near Monte Barro. Take note of this name: it could be a good Sunday trip for a hiking!

DuLac Craft Brewery was founded in 2014 by a family in the province of Lecco. It’s internationally known because it’s been awarded at the Brussel Beer Challenge 2018 with the gold medal for its Scüra beer!

But it’s not all: they got the third place in the “Birra dell’Anno” competition of Unionbirrai (trade association of small independent breweries) in 2016 in the Chestnut beer category; three other beers received the" Luppolo d'oro "and another the "Bronze Hops" in the "Best Italian Beer" contest promoted by Federbirra.

We are simply in love with the names in local dialect of its beers: La Ciara (ale), L’Ambrada (amber), La Desiderada (the desired) and much more.

We particularly like the Sa Fem (literally “What do we do?”), matched with a good aperitivo with cold cuts. Delicious!

Another one you absolutely have to try is La Maron (literally “the chestnut”), a beer with a wonderful flavor of chestnut. It’s ideal to be paired with a risotto with homegrown mushrooms, smoked food, bacon, ripe cheese and pastries.

Via delle Bazzone snc, 23851 Galbiate (LC) - Lombardia

+39 0341 540711 - +39 333 6179800

www.birradulac.it

info@birradulac.it

Other cool spots

If you are in Como city, there’s plenty of cool places where you can have a craft beer: try Il Birratrovo in Via Carducci 3 (with a selection of more than 300 beers), Il Birrificio (Via Pasquale Paoli 3), Panino Buono (Via Garibaldi 8), or Il Birrivico (Via Borgo Vico 28).

In Bellagio don’t miss the pub Il Tiglio, with its selection of homegrown beers; in Cernobbio (Via regina 85) you have Old England, that is a fantastic and incredibly cozy pub (they also hold cool live music events!); in Olgiate Comasco drop by BiDu (via Torino, 50); in Cremia, a few minutes from Menaggio, pop into Lo Scalo, our number 1 spot of the whole lake for summer happy hours in a unique waterfront location!

10 Spots Where Enjoying an Aperitif With a View on Lake Como

In Erba there’s the internationally known Doppio Malto brewery whose beers have received more than 70 international awards over the years.

You can taste the beers in the adjoining brewpub, where you can also stop and eat. We love the interior, a mix of vintage with industrial touches!

Doppio Malto

Via Milano 9, Erba

(+39) 031 333 4187

We end this roundup of delicious beers mentioning Birrificio Legnone in Dubino (SO), a small craft brewery born in 2012 that produces over 10 types of branded craft beer: we just LOVE pretty much all their creations!

BIRRIFICIO LEGNONE - CESARI&CO S.R.L.
Via Milano 24 - 23015 Dubino (SO) - P.iva 00946360146
Tel. +39 0342 68 14 56 - +39 333 8503252
info@birrificiolegnone.it

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Where to Drink an Unforgettable Craft Beer At Lake Como