BirrArbia

A beer festival in the heart of the Crete Senesi

BirrArbia is one of the most anticipated summer events in Arbia Scalo, a village in the municipality of Asciano, in the province of Siena. Established around 2012, the event has grown year after year to become a benchmark for beer and street food lovers throughout the Crete Senesi region. The festival takes place in the Viale Toscana Green Area, an open-air space that, for five evenings, fills up with long tables, food stalls, a concert stage, and crowds of all ages.

Draft beer and Bavarian cuisine

The heart of the festival is, naturally, the beer: every year, seven types of draft beer are offered, ranging from craft brews to classic German and Belgian imports. Accompanying the pints is a menu that nods to Bavarian tradition, featuring pork knuckle, goulash, sausages, kartoffel (potatoes), sauerkraut, and fries, alongside a wide selection of burgers, hot dogs, fried snacks, and pretzels. This proven combination has turned BirrArbia into a small, summer-style Sienese Oktoberfest.

Live music and DJ sets every night

BirrArbia is about more than just beer and food: every evening features live music and DJ sets, with a lineup ranging from cover bands to emerging groups, themed 90s nights, and the BirrArbia's Got Talent competition, designed to showcase young artists and bands from the province of Siena. Live music typically starts around 9:45 PM and continues with DJ sets until late at night. Over the years, the stage has hosted names from the Italian indie and alternative scene alongside many local talents.

A volunteer-led event

BirrArbia is organized by the volunteers of AVIS Taverne e Arbia, the local blood donor association, and is supported by the municipalities of Asciano, Siena, and Castelnuovo Berardenga. Beyond the party, the event serves as a social hub for the entire community, featuring a dedicated area for children and market stalls. Admission is free, as is access to all concerts.

Asciano and the Crete Senesi

Asciano is one of the iconic municipalities of the Crete Senesi, the famous hilly landscape southeast of Siena characterized by clay, gullies, and biancane formations. Attending BirrArbia is an excellent excuse to discover this corner of Tuscany, with its medieval villages, abbeys, and scenic roads, before or after raising a glass at the Arbia Scalo Green Area.