Birre dal Basso

A beer festival born from the grassroots

Birre dal Basso is one of the most original events on the Roman brewing scene. It takes place in the city of Rome, in the heart of the Lazio Region, within the L.O.A. Acrobax—the former Cinodromo on Via della Vasca Navale, just a short walk from the San Paolo Metro B station. This is not a commercial trade fair: the festival is entirely self-organized, non-profit, and free of intermediaries, placing craft beer at the center as a cultural value rather than a market opportunity.

Free tastings and direct sales

What makes Birre dal Basso truly different from any other beer event is the opportunity to taste all the beers on offer for free during the designated tasting hours. There are no tokens to buy for sampling, and no inflated price lists: those who want to explore further can purchase beer on tap or by the bottle at affordable prices, directly from the producers. This choice, proudly upheld by the organizers, ensures total accessibility and the sharing of knowledge about the world of craft beer.

Guest breweries

Each edition brings together about fifteen Italian and international breweries, selected not only for the quality of their product but also for the human and political journey that drives them. Alongside agricultural microbreweries and experimental projects dedicated to spontaneous fermentation, you will find social breweries born within occupied spaces and self-managed entities across the country: these include Birrificio Quarticciolo, Birra da Cani, Fermenti Sociali, and the Acrobax's own community brewery. International guests from countries like Belgium and Germany also feature, broadening the perspective beyond Italian borders.

Workshops, public brewing, and beer culture

The educational aspect is one of the event's strengths. Over the two days, there are limited-capacity tasting workshops (registration required via email) and thematic meetings. Past editions have covered topics such as barley cultivation and processing, sour beers, lactic and spontaneous fermentations, kombucha, wild herbs, and the role of social breweries in local communities. Additionally, there is a public brewing session using the Acrobax equipment, offering a chance to see exactly how beer is made.

Music, theater, and atmosphere

From late afternoon, the festival changes pace: cabaret, theatrical performances, live concerts, and DJ sets accompany the evenings until late at night, with bands ranging from reggae to Latin sounds and brass bands. Surrounding the brewery stands are craft stalls and food options, creating the informal and convivial atmosphere typical of Roman social spaces, far removed from the standardized format of large beer festivals.

Why it's worth attending

• Free tasting of all beers during designated time slots
• Direct sales from producers at affordable prices
• Social breweries and self-managed projects rarely found elsewhere
• Free in-depth workshops on the world of brewing
• Concerts, theater, and cabaret included in the evening
• A spacious, green setting at the former Cinodromo, easily accessible by subway

Funds raised in past editions have been reinvested in building a self-managed community brewery open to everyone, as well as supporting the festival itself: drinking here means participating in a collective project that continues to grow over time.