Rocca Priora Beer Festival

A local festival that has become a summer classic in the Castelli area

At an altitude of 768 meters, Rocca Priora is the highest town in the Castelli Romani. While Rome swelters in the summer heat, up here, you'll be comfortable in a t-shirt even in the evening. Perhaps this is why the Beer Festival has become one of the most popular events on the local calendar over the years. Originally a neighborhood initiative by the Forza Ragazzi association, the event has now surpassed its tenth edition and continues to grow, with the patronage of the Municipality of Rocca Priora – Department of Culture.

Piazza Nassirya, the heart of the event

The nerve center is Piazza Nassirya, which changes its look for three days: beer taps on one side, food stalls on the other, and the stage at the far end. The event always kicks off in the late afternoon, around 6:30 PM, when the first beers are poured. Half an hour later, the kitchens open, and the square fills with families, groups of friends, and vacationers from neighboring towns. The festivities continue late into the night, with the cocktail bar taking over after the concerts.

The cuisine: more than just generic street food

The festival's strength lies in a menu that remains faithful to the culinary traditions of the Castelli Romani, without fully giving in to generic street food trends. On the menu, you will find:

• Handmade cellette, the typical local pasta, served with mushrooms or tuna
• Porchetta-stuffed ravioli, a tribute to the signature product of the Castelli
• Arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers) and assorted sandwiches
• French fries, mixed fried snacks, and specialties from local producers
• A wide selection of draft beers, from light lagers to double malts

Recent editions have also introduced gluten-free options, a sign of an event that strives to be inclusive for everyone.

The stage: from cabaret to dance orchestras

The musical program is intentionally popular and changes every evening. Friday is traditionally dedicated to cabaret, featuring the character «Signora Gilda» played by Diego Brunetti, now a permanent fixture of the festival. Saturday is for dancing, with orchestras from the Lazio circuit—most notably Mirco e gli Ottava Nota—often preceded by performances from the Lucy Dance school of Rocca Priora. Sunday is the night for big performances: over the years, the stage has hosted I Figli delle Stelle with their tours dedicated to Italian music, Vasco Rossi tribute bands, 90s revivals, and rock and roll groups.

Rocca Priora and the Castelli Romani

We are in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, about forty kilometers from the capital, within the Castelli Romani Regional Park. Rocca Priora marks the eastern edge of the ring of towns overlooking the volcanic lakes of Albano and Nemi, a territory where social life in summer revolves around food festivals and patron saint celebrations. The Beer Festival fits into a busy local calendar, animated by the two Pro Loco associations and a very active community that brings music, gastronomy, and children's games to the square almost every weekend between July and September.

Why it's worth a visit

This is not a beer festival for connoisseurs: those looking for guided tastings and micro-breweries will find more specialized events elsewhere. The value here is different—it's an authentic community celebration with affordable prices, free entry, long communal tables, and the chance to enjoy a great dinner just a stone's throw from Rome, all while breathing the fresh mountain air of the Castelli. For those visiting the Castelli Romani in summer, it is one of the most direct ways to understand what life is really like around here.