Sardinian Beer: Local Brews, Ichnusa, And Where To Drink Craft Beer In Sardinia

Sardinian beer is fabulous. To me, beer is the perfect pairing with pizza, but many love having beer with traditional Sardinian food, too.

I prefer it to Sardinian wines whenever I am having pizza, and by all means, I prefer that to any soda drink. Of course, I eat pizza quite regularly, so that means I also drink beer with it. Which means I have tried a lot of Sardinian beers.

While we have lots of excellent wines in Sardinia, Sardinians are the biggest beer consumers in Italy. We consume an average of 60 liters of beer per person, per year. Of course, this is an average (I don’t drink nearly as much). But it goes to show how much locals enjoy this drink.

Go for a walk in the afternoon, especially in the summer, and you’ll see people of all generations sitting outside a “bar” having a beer, sometimes playing a game of cards; most of the time simply enjoying each other’s company. Likewise, it’s our favorite drink when at the beach.

So, beer lovers unite! Recent decades have seen a craft beer revolution sweep across Sardinia, with more than a few microbreweries popping up here and there on the island. If you’re looking for the best spots to indulge in craft beer, you’re in the right place.

Like all other drinks in Sardinia, you can find good beer on the island. I love my beer, and I am ready to spill the best-kept local secrets and tell you where to go in search of good beer on the island.

Sardinian Beer At A Glance

Most Popular Sardinian Beer: Ichnusa Beer

Before I share my favorite craft beers in Sardinia, I want to tell you about Sardinia’s most popular beer: Ichnusa Beer. If you are a beer drinker and it’s not your first time in Italy, you will certainly know it (and hopefully you have tried it too). It’s so iconic that it’s easy to recognize.

The story of Ichnusa Beer

Lauded as the patron beer of Sardinia, Ichnusa has been around for over 100 years. The brewery was founded in 1912 by Amsicora Capra, a local entrepreneur who, until then, worked on wine export with his Vinalcool. He decided to start making beer after in 1911 a crisis hit the wine production in Sardinia.

The name comes from the Greek Ichnussa – the first name of Sardinia, whose roots are found in “ichnos,” which means footprint and refers to the shape of the island.

It took more than three decades – after World War II – for the brewery to fully take off and go beyond small regional distribution. Indeed, once Italy entered World War I, beer wasn’t as popular a drink.

The first Ichnusa brewery was located in a very central area of Cagliari, between Via Marche and Via Baccaredda. With success and the expansion of the production, in 1963 the brewery moved to Machiareddu, an industrial area of Assemini, a small town in the outskirts of Cagliari.

The original building where the brewery was located was demolished in 1975.

With time, Ichnusa became so successful that it attracted international attention. In 1986, it was acquired by Heineken, which pushed an incredible marketing campaign for further branding.

Ichnusa branding

You can easily recognize Ichnusa Beer anywhere in the world thanks to its trademark: the Sardinian flag on the bottle. That’s the Quattro Mori flag that many of us Sardinians (that would include me) carry wherever we travel in the world.

The flag represents the Moorish kings defeated by the King of Aragon and the cross of Saint George.

The fact that the flag of Sardinia is used as the logo of Ichnusa Beer means that there’s an incredible link between the Sardinian identity and this beer. We are proud of it. We refer to it as “anima sarda” (Sardinian soul). That’s how much we love it.

To date, Ichnusa commercials are among the best ones you may come across on TV and social media. My favorite is this one. It’s a mockery of hipsters, conventional art galleries, and anything that’s just not pure as the soul of Sardinia is.

Kinds of Ichnusa Beer

Ichnusa makes five different types of beer:

• Inchusa classica – the original Ichnusa;
• Ichnusa al limone – a light lemon beer;
• Ichnusa non filtrata – an unfiltered beer and my personal favorite;
• Ichnusa cruda – Ichnusa’s take on raw beer;
• Ichnusa ambra limpida – a very refreshing lager beer, the latest addition to the Ichnusa brand.

Can you find Ichnusa Beer outside of Sardinia?

You’ll obviously find Ichnusa Beer anywhere on the island. In fact, it’s one of Italy’s favorite beers. Many prefer it to other Italian brands such as Moretti or Peroni. It became so popular that you can now find it across Europe too. I remember being able to drag an entire group of friends to drink Ichnusa in a pub in London!

No matter where you go, whether it’s a grocery store, pizzeria, or small beach stall, make sure to grab a cold bottle of Ichnusa beer to discover the authentic taste of Sardinia. In fact, you didn’t really visit Sardinia unless you had an Ichnusa beer.

The Craft Beer Revolution In Sardinia

In the last 15 years, Sardinia has developed quite a strong craft beer scene. Here’s a quick overview of the most famous craft breweries in Sardinia.

Best Places For Sardinian Beer

Now that you know about Sardinia’s most famous beer, let me tell you about the best up-and-coming craft beer.

Other than at the breweries where they are produced, you can try all the Sardinian beer mentioned below at most good pubs, bars, pizzerie, and restaurants throughout the island.

Birrificio 4 Mori – Montevecchio

Birrificio 4 Mori is a SardinianTe brewery located in Montevecchio (home to some unique mining sites in Sardinia). The brewery itself is right on the site where an old mining train station once stood! It offers beer tastings with cheese and meat pairings and dessert to boot!

Birrificio 4 Mori also hosts Oktoberfest events, if you happen to be visiting Sardinia during that time of year. My favorite brew is the Pozzo 16, which is fresh and light, and their most popular beer. They also produce seasonal releases – usually very creative beers like a snazzy and jazzy blackberry beer.

Birrificio 4 Mori is in a unique location and has created a rustic space that honors the land it stands on.

Marduk Brewery – Irgoli (Nuoro)

Marduk Brewery is a microbrewery located in the village of Irgoli, in the province of Nuoro. They make a fantastic Bohemian Pilsner, as well as some great IPAs. Marduk’s Black IPA was probably the most unusual beer on their menu when I visited.

It’s a true agricultural brewery, with 95% of the raw materials produced within the company! They have all the land, the equipment, and the knowledge to take beer from the fields to your bottle. It is a brewery where every teeny tiny detail is done with passion!

Birrificio Artigianale Chemu – Cagliari

Birrificio Artigianale Chemu is located in Cagliari. Simply called Chemu for short, the translation means “group of four” in Sardinian. Four is a nod at the four main ingredients in beer – yeast, malt, hops, and water.

Chemu’s first beer, and their most popular beer to date, is their Blonde Ale “Lei.” It’s malty, fruity, and sure to please the pickiest beer drinkers out there. First opening their doors in 2012, this brewery is not to be missed.

Birra e Casu – Cagliari

Birra e Casu is a nice pub located in Cagliari. The name translates to “Beer and Cheese,” and they have certainly stayed true to their name!

This small restaurant is where you should go to find top-notch local craft beer, accompanied by cheese boards serving the best Sardinian cheese. Expect to spend approximately 15 euros per person on your beer and cheese board.

Birrificio di Cagliari – Cagliari

Birrificio di Cagliari is Cagliari’s flagship brewery. In fact, it’s the very first microbrewery to open in all of Sardinia in 2008, and it has unparalleled passion and professionalism. Their brewpub and restaurant are a favorite for locals and tourists alike, and are usually packed.

Their restaurant features dishes inspired by their beers. They have a chili that has been made with their pale ale, and a tiramisu that has their Casteddu stout blended in it. Cagliari Brewery prides itself on crafting inventive cuisine that keeps the beer at the forefront of your experience. They also have menu options for vegans and vegetarians.

Keep in mind that their beers are not pasteurized or filtered, so every single sip of beer bursts with natural flavors and aromas. It’s definitely one of the best Sardinian beer.

Birrificio Gattarancio – Cagliari

Birrificio Gattarancio is a brewery located just a quick 10-minute walk from the city center in Cagliari, mere steps outside the historic district of Stampace.

It’s a large restaurant that has tables downstairs and upstairs, as well as some outdoor seating, and it is one of the most budget-friendly places to eat in Cagliari.

Even though it’s a large space, Birrificio Gattarancio is usually very busy, so it is recommended to book a table in advance. Order their T-bone steak and pair it with one of their fabulous beers – but I shall warn you, the steak is massive!

Doppio Malto – around the island

Doppio Malto is one of the best places in Sardinia to go to sample artisanal craft beers. In Cagliari, it is located in Viale Marconi, one of the busiest streets outside the center of town. This is a large brewery housed in an industrial-style warehouse.

They also have a spot in Olbia, on the way to the airport, in Alghero, in Sassari, in San Teodoro, and in Villasimius.

Doppio Malto offers captivating beer tastings and a wide variety of beers to sample. They also have a restaurant with a fairly extensive menu. Craving chicken wings and onion rings? Doppio Malto is where to go. Also, if you’re gluten-free, Doppio Malto has a shockingly good gluten-free beer.

Birrificio Artigianale Le Springo – Quartu Sant’Elena

Le Springo is a craft brewery in Quartu Sant’Elena that is open 24/7. Their tasting room is on Via Orlando 13 in Quartu Sant’Elena, a city in the metropolitan area of Cagliari.

It’s a casual, informal spot with simple, unostentatious decor. Their most popular beer is the Springolandia Golden Ale beer, which is elegant and slightly floral.

The Aura American Pale Ale is vibrant and lively, with quite the kick of hops balanced with hints of tropical fruit. Le Springo Brewery is warm and welcoming, a place where you can stop by and end up sitting for a couple of hours chatting with the owners.

Beermania Brew – Selargius, Cagliari

Beermania Brew is located in Selargius, just 6 km (3.7 miles) outside of Cagliari. With a name like Beermania, you have to expect things to be a little zany and playful, don’t you? Their logo features a cartoon sheep stuffed into a beer stein.

The four beers you have to try are Bella Marigosa (Hopped Golden Ale), Matagá (a Zesty Pale Ale whose name is a pun of the Sardinian for “what the heck?!”), Arruinada (Creamy Red Ale), and the Cinixiu (Chocolate Brown Ale).

Birrificio Terrantiga – San Sperate

Terrantiga isn’t a brewery proper – but a beekeeper organization that makes some of the best beer in Sardinia. They are located in San Sperate, a lovely small town to visit near Cagliari. While they don’t produce directly, they certainly take great care in ensuring that you get the most fragrant beer.

Their Istadi won the prize for best spelt beer in 2019, but if you ask me, their signature beer is Nibari, a juniper IPA, and my choice of beer any time I eat pizza. 

Birrificio Artigianale Nanumoru – Sanluri

While Birrificio Artigianale Nanumoru in Sanluri officially opened its doors at the end of 2017, its origin story begins with a group of friends in the 1990s experimenting with beer.

Sanluri is a town in the south of Sardinia, halfway between Cagliari and Oristano. Their craft beer is exceptional and definitely exhibits a high level of creativity.

At Nanumoru Brewery, they produce “live” beers, which means they’re unpasteurized, unfiltered, and free from preservatives. When you visit, expect to be taught the ins and outs of the brewing process and walk away with extensive craft brew knowledge!

Enjoy a meal and be tempted to sample every single beer that they thoughtfully, carefully, and lovingly craft.

BAM Birrificio Artigianale Mogorese – Mogoro

Situated in the Oristano Province, around 60 km (37.2 miles) northwest of Cagliari, lies the town of Mogoro. In this charming town, you’ll find the incredible BAM Birrificio Artigianale Mogorese microbrewery. All their beers have the word “Explosion” in their titles, and they all erupt with flavors and aromas.

The Mogorese Brewery first began its production at the beginning of 2016. Their beers are truly artisanal – exquisite, in fact. Make sure to try my favorite beer on offer when you visit – the Winter Explosion.

Rubiu – Sant’Antioco

With a relaxed warehouse atmosphere, Rubiu Brewery in Sant’Antioco (a small island off the coast of southwestern Sardinia) is a fantastic place to go for dinner and a beer. This craft brewery whips up handcrafted beers and delectable pizzas that are the talk of the town.

During the peak tourist season in the summer months, Rubiu can get quite busy! Expect a bit of a wait time, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! With authentic artisanal beers and remarkable pizzas crafted with a nearly infinite selection of locally sourced ingredients, you’re sure to walk away from Rubiu Brewery very satisfied.

GOOD TO KNOW: Levante is Cagliari’s branch of Rubiu. You’ll find excellent pizza and, needless to say, their signature beer.

Birrificio Mezzavia – Selargius

I first tried this beer last week when I ordered delivery pizza from Grains (one of my favorite pizzerie in Cagliari). They always have a selection of craft beers, and every time I get a different one, and since my friend was visiting, we ordered two.

Birrificio Mezzavia is located in Selargius, a small town in the metropolitan area of Cagliari. It first opened in 2014 and expanded a lot in 2023. Its beers are not filtered or pasteurized, so they remain full of flavor.

They currently produce 10 bottled beers, most of them on a regular basis, and some seasonal. We tried the Gare de Roubaix, as my friend, who’s a bike fan, was curious about the name, which is a clear reference to the Tour de France, and the City Folk, an American Pale Ale, which I found very refreshing.

You can find Birrificio Mezzavia beers in the best bars, pubs, and pizza places in Sardinia (for example, Grains), or you can visit the brewery in Via Fleming in Selargius to grab a few you can drink at home.

Birrificio Centoteste – Tortolì

I tried an American Pale Ale from Birrificio Centoteste last night for the first time and immediately decided to include it in this post, as I loved it.

While you can find the beer at the best bars, restaurants, and pizza places around the island that serve craft beer, the brewery itself is located in Tortolì, a lovely small town on the east coast of Sardinia, not far from the famous Baunei Coast.

Centoteste first opened in 2022. The name is a reference to a Sardinian saying: “centus concas centus berrittas” which translates as “100 heads, 100 different hats,” which refers to the willingness of wanting to make sure everyone gets along, even through their beer, and still respects each other’s points of view.

Of course, I love a good pale ale, but they also make excellent lagers.

Birrificio Barley –  Maracalagonis

Barley Craft Brewery was founded in 2006 in Maracalagonis, just 12 km (7.4 miles) northeast of Cagliari, and strives to offer refined beers with robust tastes and bouquets.

Moreover, it brews three beers in continuous production and rotates 17 other beers with it for a total of 20 beers available at the brewhouse. The beers are “live” in that they are non-pasteurized and unfiltered, and are only refermented in the bottle, which means the production time is slightly longer, and the beer is more complex.

What impressed me most about the Barley Craft Brewery is that they utilize seasonal and local ingredients in their beers, such as the Cannonau Grape (one of the most famous wine varietals in Sardinia) and orange flower honey from their neighborhood beekeepers. The Italian Grape Ale is my personal favorite.

Birrificio d’Ogliastra – Baunei

I first tried this beer after a long day of hiking to and from Cala Mariolu, when we stopped in Baunei on our way back from the Golgo Plateau. Of course, after having sweated a lot, a beer was all I wanted, and the Gorropu IPA was perfect.

Not only Birrificio d’Ogliastra make some of the best Sardinian craft beer. I love their names, references to some of the most scenic places in Sardinia. And I love the labels – drawings of the places they are named after.

Other than the IPA I tried, they also have a fabulous lager (Goloritzé), a Belgian-style Blanche (Cala Luna), and a Stout (Golgo).

The best place to try Birrificio d’Ogliastra beers will, of course, be Baunei: other than the brewery, each and every bar and pub in Baunei will serve it. You can generally find it in the Ogliastra region (which includes nearby Tortolì and Santa Maria Navarrese). And if you want, you can even buy it online, and they ship anywhere in Europe.

Birrificio Dolmen – Uri (Sassari)

Birrificio Dolmen is located in Uri, a village in the northwest of the island in the province of Sassari. It first opened back in 2005. They have a wide selection of high-quality beers, like a bright blonde ale, a strong IPA, and a golden Pilsner. They offer an excellent tour of their brewery, which concludes with a tasting of barley wine!

That is quite a special drink to sample, as barley wine is hard to come by these days, especially at a first-rate quality like Dolmen’s barley wine. While Dolmen Brewery might not look like much with its unassuming cream-colored rectangular building, Dolmen might just blow your mind.

La Volpe e il Luppolo – Simaxis (Oristano)

Simaxis lies in the province of Oristano, approximately 90 km (about 56 miles) northwest of Cagliari. This village lies along the bank of the Sant’Elena River and is an agricultural hub for wheat. That makes it the prime location for an epic brewery: La Volpe e il Luppolo. The translation of La Volpe e il Luppolo is “The Fox and the Hop.”

This microbrewery sources its water from the springs of Monte Grighine and firmly believes that beer tastes best when the ingredients are the best you can find. Their most popular beer is the Torraghettai (which translates as “pour it again”), a crisp, fresh Belgian Ale.

Their SPA, Sardinian Pale Ale, has a curious complexity with notes of pepper. And I swear their Frù Frù beer tastes like basil!

Ilienses Birra Ogliastra – Lanusei

Lanusei is in the central-eastern area of Sardinia in the province of Ogliastra. It’s a traditional mountain village that is a surprising home for a fantastic craft brewery – Birrificio Ilienses.

Birrificio Ilienses serves four beers and randomly releases special edition beers that are notoriously incredible. Whether you’re driving through the mountains in central Sardinia, or are willing to take a detour, head on over to Birrificio Ilienses!

Birrificio Isola – Thiesi

This brewery first opened in 2017 next to the gorgeous Sant’Antonio Church in Thiesi, a small town in the region of Meilogu, near Sassari. It’s the same place where, once upon a time, the cheese produced in the area was left to age.

The selection of beer is excellent, and you will find anything from a classic European-style lager to American Pale Ale. They even have a delicious stout, and lighter, more summery beers.

While there’s no actual tasting room in the brewery in Thiesi, Isola makes one of the most popular craft beers in Sardinia, so you will find it in the best pubs in Cagliari and its surroundings. For example, you can have it at Dry Hop, a nice pub in Quartu Sant’Elena, a city neighboring Cagliari.

Beer Culture In Sardinia

People in Sardinia are certainly very proud of their wines, but beer is what we reach for on most days. Beer is Sardinia’s everyday drink — it’s refreshing, unpretentious, and perfectly suited to the summer heat, not to mention it is still a very budget-friendly drink.

You’ll see beer everywhere in Sardinia: at beach bars during aperitivo hour, chilled bottles clinking over plates of fried seafood; paired with pizza or even traditional Sardinian food in casual trattorias in Cagliari and elsewhere; and flowing freely at summer festivals.

Beer in Sardinia is less about craft trends and more about community — a symbol of relaxation, friendship, and island life. We use beer as a reason to meet – you’d often hear us saying “vediamoci per una birra” (let’s meet for a beer), as it gives us a reason to get together.

Whether it’s a bottle of Ichnusa or another local brew, raising a glass in Sardinia is as much about belonging as it is about thirst.

FAQs on Sardinian Beer

Finally, How To Order Beer In Sardinia

The Italian word for beer is “birra” and that’s what we also use to refer to beer in Sardinia. There is a whole set of words we use in Sardinia to refer to beer.

When walking into a pub or bar, you should ask for a spina – pronounced speenah – by which we refer to a draught beer; or a spinetta – speenetah – a small draught beer. A spina is usually 40 cl in size (so smaller than a pint), whereas a spinetta is a 20 cl – less than half a pint. 

We also use the words 0.40 (zero quaranta) and 0.20 (zero venti) to refer to the size we want. 

When we order bottled beer, we usually just say the name of the beer we want, but a fun word to know is “scioppino” which in Cagliari refers to small bottles of either 33 cl or even 20 cl.

Further Readings

Looking for the best food and drinks in Sardinia? Make sure to read these posts:

• Is Tap Water In Sardinia Safe To Drink?
• Best Wineries In Sardinia
• Best Pizza In Cagliari
• Best Restaurants In Cagliari
• Where To Stop For A Coffee In Cagliari
• Most Delicious Sardinian Food
• How To Prepare Malloreddus Alla Campidanese (Gnocchetti Sardi)
• How To Make Pani Frattau
• How To Make Sardinian Culurgiones
• How To Make Seadas – Sardinian Cheese And Honey Pastries