Peroni: Italian Beer Brewed Since 1846

For more than a hundred years, Peroni has been bottling a crisp, light beer known around the world for its drinkability. Here is where this iconic Italian brewery came from.

The history of Peroni

Peroni was founded in 1846 by Francesco Peroni in Vigevano, a small town in the region of Lombardia. The surrounding mountains offered an abundance of ice and glacial water, the perfect ingredient for a clean, refreshing brew. It did not take long for Francesco's distinctive pale, medium-strength beer to become the drink of choice for the townspeople. Legend has it that as Peroni grew in popularity, even King Vittorio Emanuele II enjoyed it.

In 1864, distribution spread to Rome, and Francesco's son Giovanni took over running the new location. Eight years later, the headquarters officially moved to Italy's capital. Over the next 70 years, the business became the biggest brewery in Italy as the Peroni family passed its knowledge and skill from generation to generation.

The name of Nastro Azzurro, a European-style lager, comes from the SS Rex. The luxury Italian liner won the coveted Blue Ribbon ("Nastro Azzurro" in Italian), a prize awarded to the passenger ship that crosses the Atlantic Ocean the fastest, and became a symbol of national pride for Italy. The beer took its name 30 years later.

Today, Birra Peroni keeps its unique blend of ingredients, including malted barley and Italian maize, for a crisp beer with a delicate balance of bitterness, citrus and spice.

The ingredients

Italian maize

One of the key ingredients is Nostrano dell'Isola maize, from the small town of Bergamo in northern Italy. It grows on a fertile plain known locally as "the island between the earth," a stretch of land between the Adda and Brembo rivers. The position is ideal for maize: little frost, and soil irrigated by freshly melted snow from the nearby Alps. Nostrano dell'Isola gives Peroni a distinct clarity and a light, golden color reminiscent of prosecco.

Hops

Peroni uses two kinds of hops, Saaz-Saaz and Hallertau Magnum. Both offer a subtle yet captivating citrus aroma with a light finish.

Barley

Together with the hops and Italian maize, Peroni's two-row spring barley is the secret to the beer's crisp, refreshing taste.

Water

Following the generational recipe, Peroni continues to use pure "soft" water that is low in carbonates, for a smooth taste.

Find Peroni at Eataly

Ready for a taste? Find Peroni at your local Eataly. Salute.