Italy is one of the most popular countries when it comes to travel destinations. South Tyrol is a province in Italy at the Northernmost point. The province has its borders connected with Austria and Sweden.
However, people often get confused if South Tyrol is located in Austria or Italy. This is mainly due to its east and north borders joined with the “Austrian federal states Tyrol” – sharing the same name.
If you’re wondering what kind of terrain you would experience, it is quite consistent with the overall terrain of Italy. That is to say, the landscape is mostly forests, shrubs, and highly mountainous.
In addition to its captivating landscapes and diverse culture, South Tyrol offers a unique experience for last-minute travelers seeking a vacation apartment in Italy. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous getaway or simply looking for a quick escape, South Tyrol has something to offer.
The question is – what is South Tyrol’s beer culture like, and what is its worldwide travel appeal? The beer culture is quite complex because of the different cities within the province. Each has its beer spots, and quality may vary from city to city.
The South Tyrol Beer Culture
South Tyrol shares its roots with Germany, a country known to be one of the early pioneers in the evolution of beer. Therefore, the beer culture might share a few touches with the German beer culture.
The first and foremost important thing about South Tyrol is that they take their beer seriously. That is exactly why all breweries are quality-marked and inspected to ensure a consistent beer is offered to the consumers.
Even a few centuries back, brewing was given great importance, and many taverns were making South Tyrol one of the biggest locations for planting barley and hops. The two are the essentials for creating a good beer.
Requirements for South Tyrol Quality Mark Beers
South Tyrol houses nine breweries, with each going toe-to-toe with its competitors. The requirement for producing beer with South Tyrol Quality Mark seems simple enough but are determinant if the brewery will pass or fail.
Barley malt, hops, and water are blended with precise proportions and allowed to heat for a specific period. The liquid part that is made is called the “wort.” After the first step, the wort is allowed to boil in a brew kettle.
Once it is boiled to a certain degree, the end product is cooled until it reaches the temperature required for fermentation.
Finally, yeast is added and then the beer can ferment for seven days. After that, it is stored for another month and a half until it’s ready. This is the careful process that is publicly available to the consumers.
Moreover, there are two varieties – top-fermented and bottom-fermented. These varieties are called:
- March beer
- Strong lager
- Pale lager beer
- Vienna lager
- Herb beer
- Spiced ale
Top 6 Breweries in South Tyrol
As aforementioned, there are only nine breweries in South Tyrol, and the reason is mainly the Quality Mark. So far, since 2013, local beer has been permitted to carry this tag, and there is an annual production of 75,000 liters.
The strict criteria have halted saturation in breweries, but the ones that stand must go through exhaustive checks to ensure that they are produced within the set regulations.
However, even with the criteria, 6 breweries in South Tyrol have earned themselves the title of best breweries:
- Batzenbräu, Bozen
- Forst, Algund, near Bolzano
- Rienzbräu, Bruneck
- Martinerhof’s Brewery, St. Martin in Passeier
- House brewery Pfefferlechner, Lana
- AH Brewery, Sachsenklemme/Franzensfeste
From the list, Forst remains the largest and tourist favorite destination because of its formidable beer that delivers its taste even by brewing under specific criteria.
South Tyrol Worldwide Appeal
Did you know that the second oldest cable car in Europe is also in South Tyrol? Yes, the 1912 San Vigilio cable car in Lana. Nevertheless, it was old and, of course, has been renovated since for safety regulations.
Apart from the beer, there is a lot of history and beauty hidden within the mountainous landscape of South Tyrol. South Tyrol has greatly promoted tourism, and there are car rentals specifically made to accommodate tourists.
Wherever you go in South Tyrol, you’ll find farm fresh food and surprisingly affordable accommodations. In a nutshell, it is a paradise so captivating that this will not be a one-time visit destination for you.
Final Thoughts
South Tyrol is home to quality beer with its world-renowned breweries. They take their beer seriously, and because of that, the law is made to prevent saturation in breweries and only produce a quality that depicts their history and culture. The beer culture of South Tyrol is rather unrivaled, and the same goes for its worldwide travel appeal.
Whether you are going there for its beer or just a nice vacation, South Tyrol does not disappoint when it comes to hospitality and awe-inspiring sights.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
