Largo Castello

Largo Castello, the craft beer festival of Sannio

In Puglianello, a town of just over a thousand inhabitants overlooking the Volturno river in the Valle Telesina, in the province of Benevento, craft beer has become a true hallmark of the local identity over the years. Largo Castello takes over the narrow streets and squares of the village for five evenings in July, stretching from Piazza Chiesa to the square of the 19th-century castle that gives the event its name. Born from an idea by Historia Birreria and expanded since 2023 in collaboration with the pizzeria Il Foro dei Baroni, with gastronomic supervision by chef Agostino Vessella, the festival playfully claims its unique formula: "not a food festival," but a showcase built on the selection of taps and direct encounters with the brewers.

Dozens of breweries on tap, from Italy to Europe

The heart of the event is the brewing selection. The 2026 edition featured 37 labels: 18 Italian breweries, 15 international ones, and two independent stations reserved for the local Sannio breweries Cuore Malto and Sottobanco. Alongside renowned Italian craft interpretations—from Ritual Lab to Linza—appear names rarely found together in a village in the Campanian hinterland, such as the Belgian Trappists of Chimay, the lambics of Cantillon, or the Irish brewers of Galway. The selection covers all styles, from easy-drinking Pils and Lagers to IPAs, Stouts, and barrel-aged beers, with options for those seeking gluten-free choices.

Street food: Sannio and international cuisine

The gastronomic side is entrusted to a handful of selected operators, with eight stations distributed along the route. The gourmet pizza from Il Foro dei Baroni shares the spotlight with burgers and pastrami from Cillo Experience, paella and Spanish flavors from Iberico, arrosticini from Alta Mangiuria, fried pizza from Catafratta, and desserts from Zeppoleria di Geppino. There is no shortage of cured meats, caciocavallo cheeses, and dishes inspired by the Sannio tradition, along with vegetarian and vegan options. All purchases, both food and beer, are made using a token system available at the festival's cash points.

Live music on two stages

Every evening, the festival is accompanied by music: over ten concerts spread across two stages. Piazza Castello hosts the main live acts—from acoustic folk to rock, classic tributes to DJ sets—while Casa Marchitto, the event's second hub, features a more intimate stage dedicated to rock shows, vintage sounds, and local projects. It is a deliberately popular and cross-generational program that brings together the youth of the Valle Telesina and local families.

Slow Food and the producers of Valle Telesina

One of the aspects that distinguishes Largo Castello from many summer beer festivals is its cultural component. Every evening, from 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM, Casa Marchitto becomes the venue for meetings organized with the Slow Food Valle Telesina chapter: discussions revolve around biodiversity, sustainability, and the promotion of local products, with craft breweries, extra virgin olive oil producers, dairies, and Slow Food Presidia alternating in storytelling and public tastings. This half-hour daily session gives the event a very concrete agricultural grounding.

A village that becomes a stage

The charm of the event also lies in its natural scenery: the route winds through the stone houses of the historic center, the illuminated alleys, and the 19th-century castle, in a hilly landscape overlooking the Taburno mountains and the Volturno river. Puglianello is located just a few kilometers from Telese Terme and the wineries of Sannio, a land of Falanghina and Aglianico: an area of inland Campania that in recent years has learned to tell its story through quality food and drink, and Largo Castello is now one of its most recognizable events.

An event designed for everyone

• Free admission for all evenings
• Stands open at 7:30 PM
• Play area and entertainment for children
• Pet-friendly event and accessible to people with disabilities
• Dedicated parking at the entrance of the village and camper area

Those who arrive early find shorter queues at the taps and the village in the best light; those who prefer the full atmosphere of the festival can aim for Friday and Saturday evenings, when closing time is extended and the square remains lively until late at night.