LUPINUS - Birra di Fiemme

Can a beer have something in common with coffee? In the case of Lupinus by Birra di Fiemme, the answer is yes.

Its story begins with Anterivo lupin, a native legume traditionally grown in the village of Anterivo, not far from Val di Fiemme, and now recognised as a Slow Food Presidio. Its seeds were once roasted and used as a coffee substitute, appreciated for their distinctive bitter taste. A tradition that, like the cultivation of the lupin itself, was once at risk of disappearing.

This is where Stefano Gilmozzi, founder and brewer of Birra di Fiemme, found his inspiration. Knowing the particularly bitter character of Anterivo coffee, which was traditionally blended with barley coffee, Stefano wondered what would happen if that flavour found its way into beer. The answer was Lupinus: a top-fermented, Amber Ale-inspired beer in which roasted lupin contributes to the beer's distinctive bitterness and character.

In the glass, Lupinus has an intense amber colour. Its aroma combines pronounced roasted notes with hints of red berries and fruit in spirit. On the palate, the toasted character of the lupin meets a distinct liquorice note, creating a full and distinctive beer for those who enjoy discovering something a little different.

The recipe is deliberately straightforward: water, barley malt, Anterivo lupin, hops and yeast. An ingredient rooted in local tradition becomes the starting point for experimentation, while remaining firmly connected to the identity of Birra di Fiemme.

Lupinus has also received recognition beyond the brewery. In 2015, at the second edition of Cerevisia, the Trentino craft beer festival, it was awarded by the expert jury in the category for beers inspired by the Belgian brewing tradition.

At the table, Lupinus is a beer that makes its presence felt. Birra di Fiemme recommends pairing it with game, but also with desserts and tiramisu, where its roasted, bitter and liquorice-like notes create an interesting contrast with sweeter flavours.