During the last years the artisanal beer producers have been multiplying in all the peninsula, because the industrial beer, subject to filtering and pasteurization, don't preserve all the beer natural aromas and tastes. Italy is a nation in which water quality is very high, so, starting from the prerequisite that beer is 90% made by water, Italian beer starts form a great base. Historically the Italian territory hasn't been dedicated to production of beer, ad it has always been focused on the wine production. Cultivations as the barley, hops and yeasts production have never been developed, as a consequence almost all the producers import the raw materials from foreign countries. The OI project has the aim to realize a 100% Italian and artisanal beer. The beginning was very difficult, the supplier insisted that it would be impossible to cultivate an high quality barley but especially hops in Italy. But ,after 3 years of experiments and territory analysis, 3 hops and a barley (Spring Barley Prestige Variety) perfect for the production of an agricultural beer have been selected. The beer has been called OI because this acronym is the dialect word to indicate the Oglio river, in whose park the raw materials which give birth to this beer are cultivated; moreover Oi stands for Italian Barley (Orzo Italiano) and Italian Origin (Origine Italiana). The result is an harmonious, genuine and high quality beer. In order to make it as pure as possible and exalt its aromas it is nor filtered or pasteurized, its amber color that mends of the sunset will amaze your sight; it has a fragrant taste of toasted malt; It has a fresh and elegant taste, with a perfectly balanced bitter shade. OI Beer: inspired by our traditions, produced using advanced technologies, dedicated to the lovers of the Italian "buon gusto".

Here's the last Conte de Quirra agricultural company artisanal beer, the darkest one: Maschera Nera (Black Mask) Beer - CONTE DE QUIRRA. This is an Italian artisanal beer whose barley is cultivate in Sardinia and then the beer is produced in Tuscany. The result is a Stout beer rich and smooth taste. Balance between bitterness and sweetness of the malt, with a medium alcohol content. Easy to drink, goes well with almost all dishes. Notes of toasted malt and coffee. In the finish chocolate, licorice and dried fruit. Even if it could sound strange the pairing black beer and oysters is a great and pleasant combination of tastes. Characteristics: Malt: Maris Otter, Crystal, Chocolate, Oat, Cafe, Roasted; Hops: Magnum, Simcoe; Color: Black; Alcohol content: 5.5%; Bitterness: 50 IBU

What about begin the week with a good artisanal beer? American Pale Beer Ale Serpentara - CONTE DE QUIRRA is an amber beer made from Sardinian barley and then produced in Tuscany, with a strong hops share and notes of citrus and grass. The intensive, although not aggressive bitterness is counterbalanced by the caramel notes of malt, which can make it appear as balanced. The ideal pairing is, as it is an Ale beer, with slow cooked meats like roasts, pork shin or lamb as they contrast well with the caramel notes of this beer. Characteristics: Malt: Maris Otter, Munich, Wheat, Crystal, Chocolate; Hops: Cascade, Warrior, Simcoe, Citra; Colour: Amber; Alcohol content: 5.5%; Bitterness: 40 IBU.

This is the second step of the artisanal beer vertical by the agriculture company conte de Quirra: Birra Golden Ale Costa Rei - CONTE DE QUIRRA As the other beer the barley is cultivated in Sardinia and then beer is made in Tuscany. The result is a simple but powerful refreshing blond beer: In the glass, notes of meadow flowers combine. Soft on the palate with little carbonic acid with a balanced finish (5% Alcohol content) The ideal foodpairing is with Tuscan cold cuts as finocchiona and guanciale, or it could be a great combined with a mix fish or vegetables fry.

Today we're introducing you Conte de Quirra, a Sardinia company which produces 5 great different types of artisanal beer that we will describe you during the next days. All of those Italian Artisanal beers are made from barley cultivated in Sardina and then the beer is realized in Tuscany. The first beer we're describing is Blonde Beer Ale Tavolara - CONTE DE QUIRRA: this is a lightly spiced beer which reminds of the German weiss or the Belgian blanche, but it is anyway endowed with a great alcoholic graduation (5,8%). It is a fresh and refreshing beer which pairs perfectly with a pizza or fish cruditès.