The first craft beer made with Sardinian raw materials was presented at Vinitaly . It is called “Bionda Sarda” and is the perfect synthesis of the synergic work carried out by the Sardinian cereal and brewing sector . The new product tells the story of each step of production, from the cultivation of barley and hops to the transformation in the breweries of the Island, a story that speaks of a new and ambitious agricultural supply chain that unites agriculture and identity.
The project was born from the collaboration between Coldiretti Sardegna, Consorzio Birra Italiana, cereal producers and Sardinian craft breweries , and was officially presented at Vinitaly in the Casa Coldiretti space, in the presence of the national president, Ettore Prandini, the general secretary, Vincenzo Gesmundo, the director of Coldiretti Sardegna Luca Saba, the president and director of the Consorzio Birra Italiana, Teo Musso and Carlo Schizzerotto, also in the presence of the president of the Agriculture Commission of the Chamber, Mirco Carloni.
With this project, Sardinia confirms itself as a laboratory of innovation in the agri-food sector, laying the foundations for a 100% Italian beer, a symbol of quality, sustainability and an ethical supply chain. A virtuous example – underlines Coldiretti – of how agriculture and processing can work together to strengthen the economy of the territories and respond to the growing demand of consumers for authentic and traceable products. A central role is that of the cereal growers of Sardinia who have created the almost 100 hectares of two-row barley and the breweries that have believed in the project such as the leader Birrificio 4 Mori of Guspini. The island's cereal growers have provided uniform seeds and continuous agronomic assistance, guaranteeing a controlled and quality production cycle. The harvested barley is transformed into ready-to-use malt and entirely destined for local breweries, reducing transport costs and enhancing the local raw material. On the bottle there is a Qr code that allows you to see where the agricultural products used were grown and processed.
The heart of the project is a short and certified supply chain that enhances local producers and guarantees traceability and quality. In 2024, almost one hundred hectares of two-row barley were cultivated in Sardinia, from which 400 quintals of malt were born for artisanal production and 600 thousand bottles in this very first phase.
"We are building a beer that tells the story of Sardinia in every sip - explains Battista Cualbu, president of Coldiretti Sardinia - guaranteeing income to producers and strong links between agriculture and transformation. Sardinia has it all: biodiversity, passion, quality agriculture and can be a model for other Italian regions". For the regional president "with this operation we are building a circular, sustainable and 100% Sardinian economy - he states - a concrete response to producers and a clear message to consumers: today we know what we drink and we choose with awareness".
Sardinia is now one of the most dynamic regions in the beer sector: in 2022, approximately 4 million liters of beer were produced with 60 active companies. The Consorzio Birra Italiana has 22 member companies on the island, including agricultural breweries and cereal companies. Thanks to the commitment of Coldiretti, the Sardinia Region has allocated 3 million euros to strengthen the model: 200 euros per hectare for two-row barley and aid of up to 60% for investments in breweries. This innovative model allows farmers to obtain a higher remuneration than market prices, while breweries can count on a stable and nearby supply. Among the next objectives are the expansion of cultivated areas, continuous training of farmers and the development of the Sardinian Beer Routes to promote beer tourism.
"Together with craft breweries, cereal growers at Coldiretti and the Consortium, we have managed to make a little dream come true: seeing fields of two-row barley cultivated that are transformed, in the end, into beer - underlines the regional director and Head of the Economic Area of Coldiretti, Luca Saba - it is a project that we started over a year ago, born from the desire to return to seeing thousands of hectares cultivated with two-row barley, a solid and entirely Sardinian production. We hope that the future will bring us new opportunities: the possibility of making agreements with other companies and involving more and more cereal growers and breweries - he concludes - so that they believe in this project that is born, grows and is realized entirely in Sardinia".
(Online Union)