Vinitaly, Verona – At the prestigious Vinitaly wine fair, Sardinia introduced its groundbreaking craft beer, Bionda Sarda, marking a milestone in the island’s agri-food sector. This innovative beer is made entirely from locally sourced raw materials, showcasing the result of a collaborative effort between Sardinian cereal producers, craft breweries, and agricultural organizations. It embodies a new, sustainable agricultural supply chain that integrates local barley, hops, and the expertise of Sardinian brewers.
The launch was held at the Casa Coldiretti space, with notable attendees including Coldiretti Sardegna’s president, Ettore Prandini, and several figures from the agricultural and brewing sectors, including Luca Saba, director of Coldiretti Sardegna, and Teo Musso, president of Consorzio Birra Italiana. The event also saw the participation of Mirco Carloni, the president of the Agriculture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, highlighting the project’s national significance.
A Unique, Sustainable Beer Crafted with Sardinian Identity
Bionda Sarda represents more than just a new beer; it is a story of Sardinia’s rich agricultural traditions and a model of sustainable, local production. The project is the fruit of a partnership between Coldiretti Sardegna, Consorzio Birra Italiana, local cereal growers, and Sardinian craft breweries. In its first phase, the project has already cultivated nearly 100 hectares of two-row barley across Sardinia, which has been transformed into malt and brewed into 600,000 bottles of craft beer.
This endeavor highlights the growing synergy between agriculture and craft brewing in Sardinia, setting an example for Italy’s agri-food sector. Coldiretti emphasizes that Bionda Sarda represents a “virtuous example” of how agriculture and processing industries can collaborate to strengthen local economies while offering consumers traceable, high-quality products.
Sardinian cereal farmers, who cultivated the barley and provided continuous agronomic support, play a critical role in ensuring a high-quality production cycle. The barley is malted locally, reducing transport costs and increasing the economic value of local ingredients. Each bottle of Bionda Sarda is marked with a QR code, allowing consumers to trace the barley from its cultivation to its transformation into beer.
Building a Circular and Sustainable Economy
At the heart of this initiative is the creation of a short, certified supply chain that connects local producers with local brewers, ensuring both traceability and sustainability. The project has garnered significant regional support, with the Sardinia Region allocating €3 million to strengthen the model. This includes financial assistance of €200 per hectare for two-row barley cultivation and up to 60% aid for brewery investments.
Battista Cualbu, president of Coldiretti Sardegna, emphasized that the project not only supports local producers but also strengthens the ties between agriculture and industrial transformation in the region. “We are building a beer that tells the story of Sardinia in every sip,” Cualbu explained. “Sardinia has everything it needs to be a model for other Italian regions: biodiversity, passion, and quality agriculture.”
Sardinia’s beer industry is rapidly expanding. In 2022, the region produced approximately 4 million liters of beer, with 60 active breweries. The Consorzio Birra Italiana, which has 22 member companies on the island, plays a pivotal role in the sector’s growth. This initiative aims to further expand cultivated areas, improve farmer education, and establish the Sardinian Beer Routes to promote beer tourism.
Luca Saba, regional director of Coldiretti, shared his excitement about the project’s success and its future potential. “This project was born out of a desire to bring back large-scale barley cultivation in Sardinia, entirely homegrown and transformed,” Saba said. “We hope to continue expanding and involving more farmers and breweries as we build this entirely Sardinian production.”
Looking to the Future
With its ambitious focus on sustainability, quality, and local production, Bionda Sarda is more than just a product—it’s a symbol of Sardinia’s agricultural innovation and its growing role in Italy’s craft beer movement. As the project continues to grow, it sets the stage for new opportunities, including expanded partnerships and broader market reach.
By offering consumers an authentic and transparent beer, Bionda Sarda presents a future where agriculture and industry work together to create a more sustainable, locally rooted economy.
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