Oyster Day (Birra del Borgo)

Oyster Day: when beer meets the sea

Every year, on a day in March, the Birra del Borgo brewery opens the doors of its facility in Borgorose, in the province of Rieti, for one of the most original events on the Italian brewing scene: Oyster Day. This is not just a simple festival, but the public brewing of a legendary beer, a ritual that turns artisanal production into a collective experience open to enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Perle ai Porci, the oyster stout

At the heart of the day is Perle ai Porci, the oyster stout created in 2012 that has become a symbol of the brewery. During the wort boiling process, fresh oysters are added, imparting savory, mineral notes and a characteristic briny finish that pairs perfectly with the toasted and roasted flavors typical of stouts. It is a dark, complex, and surprising beer that tells the story of the encounter between the Apennine mountains and the flavors of the sea.

The day's program

The brewery opens to the public at 12:30 PM with lunch in the taproom, Il Bancone. In addition to the regular menu of fried snacks, burgers, and desserts, special oyster-based dishes are served: fresh oysters with artisanal pickles prepared by the staff, or mountain potato gnocchi with potato cream, raw oyster, and salsa verde. In the evening, around 7:00 PM, live music takes center stage with The Dirty Irishman, closing the day in a convivial atmosphere.

Guided tastings

Two guided tastings, at 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM, each lasting about an hour, offer a deep dive into the pairing of oysters and beer. These are led by Corrado Tenace, one of Italy's leading experts on shellfish, and Andrea Lecchini, the master brewer at Birra del Borgo. Each session features three oysters paired with three beers, accompanied by insights into the different species, farming methods, and the history linking these mollusks to dark beers.

Brewer for a day

For those who want to fully immerse themselves in the experience, the day begins as early as 7:00 AM with Brewer for a day: a program limited to twenty participants that includes breakfast with the brewers, a tour of the brewery, lunch at Il Bancone, and hands-on assistance during the various stages of the brewing process, right up to the most anticipated moment: adding the oysters to the boiling vat.

Borgorose, between Lazio and the Apennines

The event takes place in Borgorose, a municipality in the province of Rieti overlooking the Salto Valley, on the border between Lazio and Abruzzo. It is a mountain territory where the brewing tradition of Birra del Borgo has found its home, offering visitors and enthusiasts one more reason to discover this authentic corner of the Rieti area.