Not only are we blogging about Italian craft beer, we are writing the book. It's been an incredible amount of work, but we know we're on to something good. More and more magazine articles are appearing (see this month's Food & Wine) but no book exists in English on this growing and vibrant movement. We're aiming to have it published by April 2014 in time for the Craft Brewers Conference, which will be in Denver.
We have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for our second trip. If you can help us, we'd be very grateful. If not, please spread the word and let others know what we're up to. Click here and you can see our video:
Also, if you're unfamiliar with Kickstarter it's a crowd-sourcing site to help people raise money to complete their projects. The projects must have a beginning and an end; something tangible must be produced. You can't raise money to start a business, for instance. When a funding goal is set, you have to raise AT LEAST that amount. If you're $100 short of your goal you get nothing.
Anyone who knows us knows we love craft beer and have a treasure-trove of useless beer knowledge stored away in our heads. Time to set it free! Bryan grew up in Italy and his Mom is from Rome, where she still lives. We both work at one of the best beer bars in the world, Falling Rock Tap House. We know craft beer and we know the people who created the U.S. scene. Bryan will be doing the bulk of the writing and Paul will be producing artwork and maps for the book.
In late-January we took our first trip to Italy and visited seven breweries interviewing the founders of the Italian scene. We also stopped at a few multi-taps in Rome, which is the heart of their craft beer movement.
Ten years ago there were less than 20 craft breweries in Italy, today there are over 500. As a couple of brewers told us, "we were blessed without a beer culture. We could make whatever we wanted." And they have. From double IPAs to Imperial Stouts, from sours to wine barrel-aged beers, Italian brewers have truly embraced the opportunities afforded by a blank canvas, just like we did here in the United States.
We know what we're working on is an important story that needs to be told. One way or another we are going to get back there to complete this project.
Thanks for your help!
Grazie mille e cin cin,
Paul & Bryan
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