Craft Beer in Western Liguria: Birrificio della Contea and LuppOlio

Articolo del September 13, 2026. Pubblicato in CUISINE & FLAVOURS

When it comes to food and wine in Western Liguria, people immediately think of Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil, Rossese di Dolceacqua, Pigato and the traditional products of the hinterland. In recent years, however, the Riviera dei Fiori has also seen the growth of an increasingly appreciated reality: craft beer. Small producers, carefully selected ingredients, local supply chains and plenty of passion have created a movement worth discovering. For those who love food and wine tourism, visiting a brewery or a farm dedicated to beer production is a different kind of experience, offering a chance to discover the region through flavours, aromas and stories. Among the most interesting producers are Birrificio della Contea, in the hills just inland from Ventimiglia, and LuppOlio, a farm in the hills above Cervo that has combined two symbols of Liguria: hops and Taggiasca olives.

Birrificio della Contea: Craftsmanship and Passion in the Ligurian Hinterland

Surrounded by the greenery of far Western Liguria, about ten minutes from Ventimiglia, Birrificio della Contea is one of the historic names in Ligurian craft brewing. Each beer is produced with great care, focusing on quality and authenticity. The beers are neither pasteurised nor micro-filtered, preserving the aromas and characteristics of the raw ingredients. The range includes blonde, amber, red and IPA beers, as well as seasonal productions offering new and distinctive aromatic profiles. One of the most interesting aspects is the possibility of visiting the brewery, discovering the production process and taking part in guided tastings accompanied by cured meats, cheeses and local specialities. It is an experience that offers a direct introduction to the world of craft beer through the words of those who produce it every day.

LuppOlio: Where Hops Grow Among the Olive Trees

Among Liguria's most original agricultural projects is undoubtedly LuppOlio, founded in the hills above Cervo, where two crops symbolic of the region grow side by side: hops and Taggiasca olives. The name perfectly reflects the philosophy of the farm, which has chosen to combine traditional olive growing with one of the few hop plantations in Liguria. This combination has resulted in a range of craft beers deeply connected to the local landscape and agricultural identity. The labels take their inspiration from the Riviera di Ponente and its most representative places, including La Gallinara, dedicated to the island overlooking the Gulf of Albenga, La Corallina, La Bondai and La Ponte Rosso, each with its own style and aromatic profile. The experience offered by LuppOlio goes beyond simply tasting beer: during a visit to the farm, you can walk through the hop field overlooking the sea, discover the cultivation techniques and learn how a truly Ligurian agricultural supply chain works. For those who want to stop for a beer tasting, LuppOlio also has a venue in the atmospheric historic centre of Albenga, inside the beautiful Palazzo Peloso Cepolla, where its beers are paired with traditional products and local specialities.

A New Food and Wine Experience

Visiting these producers means discovering a different side of Liguria, one made up of young entrepreneurs, innovation and respect for tradition. More and more travellers are choosing experiences that allow them to meet producers directly, discover the work behind every bottle and taste the beers where they are made. Guided visits become an opportunity to explore the production process, from the raw ingredients and fermentation to bottling and food pairings.

Beer and Ligurian Cuisine: A Surprising Combination

Craft beer pairs perfectly with the flavours of Ligurian cuisine: lighter, fresher beers enhance specialities such as focaccia, farinata, sardenaira and blue fish, while amber beers and IPAs pair particularly well with gourmet burgers, aged cheeses and traditional dishes such as Ligurian rabbit. Cured meats, Taggiasca olives and products from the hinterland also find in craft beer a pairing capable of enhancing their aromas without overpowering their flavours.

An Itinerary Between Sea, Villages and Tastings

A day dedicated to craft beer can become an opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful places in Western Liguria. After visiting Birrificio della Contea, you can continue towards villages such as Dolceacqua, Apricale or Seborga, while those choosing LuppOlio can visit the village of Cervo and then continue along the coast towards Alassio and Albenga or towards the Gulf of Diano and Imperia. Both itineraries combine culture, landscape and gastronomy, offering an original way to discover the region.

Western Liguria Through a Beer

The growth of craft beer demonstrates how the Riviera dei Fiori is a territory capable of innovating without losing its connection with its roots. Alongside the province's great wines and extra virgin olive oil, beer is now also telling a story of passion, research and the enhancement of local production. Whether you choose a visit to Birrificio della Contea or a tasting among the hop fields and olive trees of LuppOlio, the result is the same: discovering a new side of Western Liguria, where tradition and creativity come together to offer authentic, high-quality experiences. For lovers of good food, craft beer and experiential tourism, this is certainly a stop worth adding to any journey through the Riviera dei Fiori.

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