Travel | Visiting Biella + Turin, Italy with Menabrea Beer

 Menabrea Brewery, Biella, Italy

This past month has become a little fuzzy; we finally nailed down our Las Vegas wedding plans, set the wheels in motion for our mortgage application (which, for a self-employed "blogger" is wee bit complicated!), as well as a couple of travel opportunities that popping up at last-minute. I returned home from Italy and France to the news that we sadly lost my Grandad to cancer.

For that reason I haven't really felt inspired to keep on top of blogging lately. Somehow the daily scroll of Instagram has kept me a little more entertained, especially Jordan Bunker's incredible travel photos from Asia.

But this week I jumped straight back into editing photos from a recent trip to Biella + Turin, with Italian brewer Menabrea. This was a trip of new experiences for me; first time visiting Italy, first time touring a brewery (no ideal how I've avoided them for so long) and the first time my nostrils have been exposed to such high levels of potent cheese...!

 A colourful collection of Menabrea's archived advertising

The name "Menabrea" wasn't totally brand new to me, and according to my Untappd beer app I've drunk a handful of their blonde ales in my time. The trip to Northern Italy cropped up at a really busy time, but it was hard to pass up on my first trip to a brewery.

My first task of the trip was to get the lingo right. I'd been struggling with the pronunciation of "Menabrea", and as it turns out you say it like "Men-a-bray-ah". Bags all packed for the 4am start from Stansted –  all set for two days exploring the small town of Biella + historical city of Turin.

Having visited a few distilleries in Scotland I had a fair idea of what the Menabrea's factory might be like, but as I stood on the balcony of the brewery – along with a handful of British press + bloggers – it quickly became clear that this was much more of a family affair.

 Weaving through caverns of cheese at the Botalla factory

Biella is also home to the Botalla Cheese factory, located just opposite Menabrea brewery. We experienced what is best described as a "cheese walk" of the premises. We got a first-hand look at the maturing process and some of the stinkiest cheeses my eyes have ever seen. 

Now I'm not much of a cheese lover but Menabrea + Botalla bumped their heads together to created somewhat of a signature-style cheese, made using Menabrea beer. That's a new one on me!

 Visiting the original Fiat Test Track in Turin, located on top of Lingotto Mall

Menabrea beer is relatively unknown in the UK, but across Italy and Europe the name is highly regarded as one of the most respected breweries in the country. Choosing the idyllic hilltop town of Biella for a brewery wasn't left to chance; when Giuseppe Menabrea travelled through the region in 1846 he discovered the area was sitting on top of an expansive underground cavern system, making the town perfect place for a making beer. The combination of fresh mountain air and pure flowing water soon made the town of Biella home to Menabrea brewery.

The brewery has stayed within the same family since 1846; passing years of skill and knowledge down to the next generation. Currently Franco Menabrea is the main man in charge. Franco's enthusiasm towards his craft and love of Italian traditions was refreshing. This made him the perfect person to talk us through the brewery's distinct beers.

As self-confessed craft beer addict I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Menabrea's beer production is officially classed as a craft beer, due to the amount in which each batch yields. 

Now, I know the words "craft beer" doesn't instantly make a beer taste good, but over the course of two days I worked my way through their whole range – I was honestly impressed. Both the blonde lager + amber ale (available in the UK) were refreshing, smooth and memorable.  But for me the show stoppers were their Bock and Weiss beers. The Bock beer was dark in colour but very light tasting, with chocolately vibes, and the Weiss beer was full-on wheat party. The latter and the Ambrata getting the biggest thumbs up!

Much love for pizza in downtown Turin

After spending a day in Biella we travelled south to a city famed for its automotive trade, football teams, Superga sneakers and hazelnut "Gianduiotto" chocolates. We wandered the cobbled streets for hours; taking in the city's historical sites, café culture, a rare trip to the original Fiat Test Track and consuming epic gelato – rounding the day of with the best pizza I've ever tasted, from Lentini's.

The purpose of the trip was to experience the culture of Biella and Turin. Two Northern towns steeped in history, warm characters and traditional values. Good food, good sights and great beer.

Thanks to Menabrea for inviting me, see you another time!

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