Fermenti Reali - Craft Beer Festival

Fermenti Reali, the craft beer festival of Portici

Fermenti Reali is a festival dedicated to craft beer, fermentation, and local cuisine, held every autumn in Portici, a city in the Metropolitan City of Naples overlooking the gulf in Campania. The initiative is promoted and organized by the municipal administration with the aim of enhancing the city's historical, landscape, and cultural heritage while strengthening its tourist appeal, all while promoting a culture of responsible drinking.

From the Royal Palace riding stables to the park of Villa Mascolo

The first edition took place from September 29th to October 1st, 2023, in the riding stables of the Royal Palace of Portici, one of the most evocative locations along the Vesuvius 'Golden Mile'. Since 2024, the event has moved to the park of Villa Mascolo on Via Cristoforo Colombo, a green space in the heart of the city that transforms into a village of taste and music for three evenings.

Campanian craft breweries

The heart of the event is the selection of craft breweries, almost all from Campania, which present their products to the public and share their craft. Past participants have included:

• Kobi Brewing, Mal Brewing, Entropia Big Brain Brewers
• Birrificio Incanto, Birrificio delle Cave, Birrificio dell'Aspide
• CuoreMalto, Gli Alchimisti, White Tree, Okorei, 082TRE

The event is endorsed by Unionbirrai, the association of small independent Italian breweries, confirming its focus on quality beer rather than a generalist approach.

Local cuisine

Alongside the beer taps, the gastronomic offerings highlight the most popular and recognizable flavors of Campania: fried pizza, montanare, caciocavallo impiccato (hanging caciocavallo cheese), arrosticini, and other regional street food specialties, with attention to food intolerances and gluten-free options. The result is a festival where craft beer pairs with authentic local flavors rather than a typical fair format.

Masterclasses, live music, and entertainment

Fermenti Reali is more than just tastings: the program includes masterclasses led by qualified experts, covering the fundamentals of tasting, beer styles, and pairings — such as beer and cheese or beer and Tuscan cigars. Each evening, a concert or show enlivens the park until late, with plenty of room for local artists.

A festival with a charitable purpose

A portion of the proceeds is donated to scholarships for Portici students who submit a project on the city's historical and cultural heritage: a way to link the festival to the community and local knowledge. Recent editions have also featured a dog area, confirming the family-friendly and accessible nature of the event, which remains an evening gathering for an adult audience regarding alcohol consumption.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally held in October, from Friday to Sunday, in the evening. It is an excellent opportunity to discover Portici, the Royal Palace, and the Golden Mile during a quieter time of year compared to the high season, combining a visit to the Vesuvius heritage with an evening of craft beer and Campanian cuisine.