Beeropoli

Beeropoli, the craft beer festival in the heart of Irpinia

Beeropoli is an event dedicated to agricultural and craft beers held in Venticano, a town in the Province of Avellino, Campania, at the crossroads between the Calore and Ufita valleys. The venue is the spacious Exhibition Area (Area Fieristica) in the Campanarello district, in Piazza Aquilino Verardo: the same site that hosts the historic Fiera Campionaria every spring and, thanks to its indoor and outdoor spaces and free parking, can comfortably accommodate thousands of visitors.

The first BeerItaly event in Southern Italy

Founded in 2024 by the Alt Level association and supported by Unionbirrai, the association representing small independent Italian breweries, Beeropoli debuted as the first event of the BeerItaly circuit organized in Southern Italy. This is a significant milestone: in recent years, the South has seen a growing network of agricultural micro-breweries, often linked to direct barley cultivation and a truly short supply chain, which finally have a shared showcase here.

Over fifty beers on tap

The heart of the event is, naturally, the beer: over fifty agricultural and craft labels from all over Italy, with a strong presence of breweries from Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, and Lazio. There is no shortage of gluten-free options, designed for those who don't want to miss out on the tasting experience. Each pouring station is staffed by the producers themselves, who explain the styles, raw materials, and fermentation processes: a rare opportunity to sample beers that are hard to find in mainstream retail.

• Independent and agricultural breweries from Central and Southern Italy
• Classic styles and experimental productions, including gluten-free beers
• Pairings with traditional Irpinian and Sannio products

Workshops and guided tastings

Alongside the beer stands, Beeropoli offers workshops, courses, and guided tastings led by industry experts: in the very first edition, the tasting sessions and conferences were coordinated by food and wine journalist Alfonso Del Forno. Topics include sensory analysis, food-beer pairing, and the daily work of agricultural breweries, with sessions open to both enthusiasts and industry professionals.

Street food, live music, and a funfair

The format is that of a community festival, not a trade-only fair. The food stalls—about fifteen in the 2025 edition—offer traditional Irpinian and Sannio dishes alongside more contemporary street food, designed to pair with different beer styles. Every evening, the stage hosts live music and DJ sets that keep the area lively until late at night, while the funfair and play area make the event suitable for families with children as well.

A late summer appointment

Beeropoli takes place in September, when the festival season in Irpinia is still in full swing and the evenings remain mild: it is one of the events that closes the summer calendar of the Municipality of Venticano, alongside patronal feasts, the Children's Festival, and sporting events. On Sunday, the event opens for lunch as well, allowing visitors to dedicate an entire day to the experience, perhaps combining it with a tour of the local area.

Venticano and the taste of Irpinia

With just over two thousand inhabitants, Venticano is a small town known for its nougat and ham production, and for decades it has been a trade fair hub for Irpinia thanks to its strategic position along the axes connecting Avellino, Benevento, and the A16 motorway. Surrounding it is one of the richest food and wine areas in Campania, the land of great wines like Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino: an ideal setting for a festival that focuses on agricultural production, craftsmanship, and conviviality.