Beer Festival in the Medieval Village of Roiate

A village festival with a view of the valley

The Beer Festival in the medieval village of Roiate is one of the most anticipated summer events in the upper Aniene Valley. Roiate is a town of a few hundred inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, nestled at an altitude of over 800 meters in the Monti Affilani: from the historic center's viewpoint, the gaze sweeps towards the Simbruini Mountains and, on clear days, toward the Roman countryside. It is in this setting, and specifically in Piazza XXIV Maggio, that the Roiate in Progress association hosts a two-day festival open to everyone every year.

Beer, music, and community

The idea behind the event is simple and has been clear since the very first editions: to use the festival as an opportunity to showcase the village's gastronomic specialties and the historical-cultural beauty of the medieval town. The taps primarily serve Bavarian and German beers, accompanied by a menu designed for the occasion—sandwiches, fried foods, grilled meats, and hot dishes prepared by the association's volunteers—while the evenings conclude with live concerts, traditionally featuring tribute bands from the Italian and international rock scene.

More than just beer mugs

In past editions, the program has combined the food and wine offerings with a series of activities designed for families and young people, making it a true community celebration:

• Craft markets along the streets of the historic center, open in the afternoon
• Mechanical bull and human table football, with competitions and prizes for participants
• Inflatable play area and games for children
• Food stands and beer stations with a covered area for seating
• Evening concerts starting at 9:00 PM, with free admission

Previous editions

The event began as an end-of-summer festival: the third edition was held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, in Piazzale della Libertà, featuring a concert by Liberi Liberi, a Vasco Rossi tribute band, and the special guest appearance of keyboardist Alberto Rocchetti. The fourth edition took place on Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2, 2023, over two days: food stands opened at 3:30 PM, craft markets at 4:00 PM, and concerts at 9:00 PM, with Asialive on Friday and Nemici di Tex on Saturday, with music continuing late into the night. In subsequent years, the festival has gradually shifted toward the heart of summer, settling into its current slot between late July and early August.

The medieval village

Those who arrive for the beer almost always discover the village itself. Roiate preserves the spindle-shaped medieval layout typical of ridge villages in inland Lazio: narrow alleys, arches, stone staircases, and houses clustered together around the parish church. During the festival, the historic center lights up and becomes an integral part of the event, with visitors strolling between tables and panoramic viewpoints. The surrounding area—Bellegra, Affile, Subiaco, the Benedictine monasteries, and the Arcinazzo plateau—also offers inspiration for a complete weekend of hiking, abbey visits, and mountain cuisine.

Why it's worth the trip

It is a small, authentic, and unpretentious festival: no large stages or tickets, just the tried-and-tested formula of Lazio village festivals, where you eat well at affordable prices, drink in good company, and dance under the stars in a village square. For those living in Rome, it is a summer evening just an hour's drive away, with temperatures fifteen degrees cooler and a panorama that justifies the climb all on its own.