If you happen to be in the Rome
area in mid-February, you’re a very lucky person. When you’re ready to escape
the chaos of the city, ditch the beaten path for one of Italian craft beer’s more
popular festivals held by Birra Del Borgo. Located just an hour out of Rome, in
the small town of Borgorose, in the province of Rieti about 70 km northeast of
Rome, you’ll be graciously welcomed by Leonardo Di Vincenzo and his team who host
the Oyster Day festival.
The festival Perle ai Porci, or Pearls for Pigs, marks the day the brewery brews
their Oyster Stout. The first festival offered a chance to baptize the new
brewery which opened in 2012. The rich, deep black stout is made by brewing 45
kilos of fresh oysters with their shells. To give it a more Italian flavor, 20
kilos of Roman Coastline Tellina clams are also added. Sound strange? No so
much. The minerals that come from the oyster shells, the slight remnant of
oysters and the roasted barley form a creamy, savory taste that I promise
you’ll not flinch at again.
The Oyster Day festival is
organized along with the Slow Food producers and executed by the fine culinary skills
of La Taberna who cook the oysters and clams that are strained out after brewing
into an oyster spaghetti and clam bruschetta. The Pig part of the festival is
the inclusion of several pork dishes served as well, many of which are cooked
by the acclaimed Chef Gabriele Bonci, Rome’s, and perhaps the world’s best
pizza maker. His location, Pizzarium is a must when you return to Rome located
on Via della Meloria 43.
The event will be held Saturday,
February 15th at Del Borgo’s new brewery, a place also worth seeing.
The event costs €30, but it’s all inclusive. The festival goes from 10 am to 7
pm and will include beer, cheeses, cured meats and the feast itself, as well as
live Irish music. There is a free, but limited to 25 people workshop. This is
an opportunity to mingle with Italy’s new beer enthusiasts in a non-touristic
fashion as well as see one of Italy’s most important craft breweries. You’ll
also likely have a chance to meet the brewer, Leonardo who is a gracious
host—there is no better ambassador for the movement. You can catch a glimpse of
Leonardo on line by googling Brew
Master’s Italy episode (never shown in the US) brewing the Etrusca with Sam
Calagione from Dogfish Head Brewery.
To reach the brewery, you’ll have
to drive. Take the A24 Rome-Aquila highway and exit Valle Del Salto. For more
information and tickets check out Del Borgo’s website www.birradelborgo.it or send them an email at info@birradelborgo.it.
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