Three hamlets, one festival: Giacciano, Baruchella and Zelo tell their stories through beer and flavours
The Festa della Birra GBZ is one of the most dynamic summer events in Polesine, in the province of Rovigo. The acronym GBZ refers to the three hamlets of the municipality of Giacciano con Baruchella: Giacciano, Baruchella, and Zelo. Founded in 2023, the festival has grown rapidly, evolving from a local event to one with provincial appeal, thanks to the work of numerous associations and many volunteers.
The heart of the event is beer, food, and music, in an area that in recent editions has expanded to over 3,200 square metres. After an initial travelling cycle that touched the three hamlets in turn (Baruchella in 2023, Zelo in 2024, Giacciano in 2025), the festival now proposes a new format where the three villages 'travel' within the event, each showcasing its identity through culinary specialities.
The Festa della Birra GBZ is organised by a network of local entities—including ACLI of Giacciano, Nuova Bentivoglio Zelo, the Association of Babbi Natale of Baruchella, the Gruppo Podistico, the Circolo NOI P.G. Frassati, and the Unità Pastorale—with the support of the Municipality. More than just a beer festival, it is a project designed to strengthen the union and collaboration between Giacciano, Baruchella, and Zelo, returning a large part of the proceeds to the economic and associative fabric of the Polesine territory.
The 2026 edition, the 4th, of the Festa della Birra GBZ is held from August 20 to 23 at the Zelo sports field in Giacciano con Baruchella. After completing the first travelling cycle among the three hamlets, the festival changes its formula: no longer a rotation between villages, but a single large event where Giacciano, Baruchella, and Zelo 'travel' within the festival, each with their own gastronomic specialities. The exhibition area exceeds 3,200 square metres. Evening programme with live music; details on beers, food, and concerts will be announced by the organisers closer to the event.
New 2026 format: the three hamlets tell their stories within a single event through their culinary specialities. Detailed evening programme and line-up coming soon.
Giacciano con Baruchella is located in the upper Polesine area, in the province of Rovigo, near the border with the province of Verona. By car, it can be reached from the Transpolesana state road (SS434) connecting Verona and Rovigo. The festival is held at the sports field in Zelo, a hamlet of the municipality.
Free admission. Beer, food, and drinks are paid for at the stands. Evening programme with live music.
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Campo sportivo di Zelo