It’s safe that Birrificio Lambrate is one of the best places to go out in the evenings in Milan. The establishment, which has been making its own beer since the 1990s, is very popular among Milanese and, generally speaking, for anyone who wants to spend a fun night enjoying one, or a few glass of excellent beer.
What’s more, Birrificio Lambrate is not only somewhere people come to try their fantastic craft beer varieties. You can also enjoy their delicious cuisine, with various dishes in which beer is one of the main ingredients.
The latter is served in their restaurant (Golgi, 60), an establishment in the style of Anglo-Saxon pubs that has clientèle that are no less buoyant than that of the original brewery itself.
Milan’s Birrificio Lambrate
Before it opened its bar and restaurant, Birrificio Lambrate was already brewing its own beer. In fact, production began in 1996, led by five partners (Alessandra, Fabio, Paolo, Davide and Giampaolo),
A group of twenty-somethings who, of course, showed great courage and foresight to risk a venture that, at the time, didn’t have the leverage and support that social networks and the media provide today.
They were clear from the start, however, that they wanted to offer potential customers beer that stood out from those served in Milanese bars and restaurants and in the rest of Italy.
So, right from the word go, they brewed a variety made from only water, malt, hops and yeast, which was unpasteurised and unfiltered and, of course, came with a dash of creativity that made all the difference.
The original experiment gradually evolved and, over time, the family grew with other types of beers. Today, Birrificio Lambrate serves up to 42 labels consisting of different varieties. Some are permanent while others are seasonal, i.e. they change according to the time of the year.
In addition, the brand often collaborates with other breweries to create blends of different labels. This way, Birrificio Lambrate’s endless creativity seems to have no limits.
In terms of the brewery itself, since it opened its doors it has been a very popular spot in the Lambrate neighbourhood – a meeting place for locals, which in just a few years has become famous among people from the rest of the city.
Many of the pub’s original customers still call it ‘The Skunky’. The décor is a mix of a typical English pub and a luxurious pirate galleon, with walls crammed with photos, collector’s mugs and all kinds of memorabilia.
Behind the bar, Giampaolo, one of the partners, is a cool and collected presence, serving beers and setting the pace for the rest of the bar staff. Even though it is always packed full of customers, especially in the evenings and on the weekends.
Lambrate beers
Birrificio Lambrate’s menu is divided into four themed groups, according to brewing method, taste and other types of criteria, which are as follows:
- Classics: this group comprises 13 labels from the brewery, such as Lambrate, a bock with 7% alcohol; Ghisa, a smoked stout with 5% alcohol; Monstestella, a pilsner with 5% ABV; Ortiga, a golden ale with 5% alcohol, and Gaina, an IPA with 6% ABV.
- Seasonal beers: these include springtime beers (such as Tre Sei Sei, Gamba de Legno and Ciocch, which has notes of chocolate); summertime (Drago Verde and Magut); autumn (Trà Giò and Schiscia i Ball) and winter (Brighella, which is a Belgium ale).
- Collaborations: since they are one-offs, you can’t always find these labels at Birrificio Lambrate. Generally, the names of their collaborative beers are as original as their flavours and aromas. This is certainly the case of Grateful Deaf, Pussycat, Passion Beer and Moscow Mule, in reference to the famous cocktail.
- Temporary beers: there is always a surprise to be found on the beer menu, such as the inclusion of labels such as Tirabuscion (Italian grape ale with 5% ABV); Alegher, an IPA with 5% alcohol, and Double IPA, with 8% ABV.
Eating at Birrificio Lambrate
If you want to round off the beer experience offered at Birrificio Lambrate, you can visit its restaurant, which opened its doors in 2011 based on the atmosphere of an English pub. The aim, according to the owners, is ‘to make customers feel at home, so they can talk about whatever they like and with whomever they want’.
Beyond their objective, the reality is that sitting at one of their tables or at the bar and trying the different options on the menu is a true delight. Washed down, of course, with any one of their varieties of beer.
One of the interesting features of the Birrificio Lambrate restaurant is that many of the dishes are made using beer, which creates some very interesting flavours. On the menu you can choose between traditional Milanese food as well as international cuisine.
For example, the antipasti (appetisers) are purely Italian (a selection of Italian cured meat, mozzarella, bresaola, etc.) and the main courses include options such as their selection of different spiced meats cooked in their own juices and with beer. They also have a German dish, with three different types of sausages accompanied by typical German salads.
Further information:
How to get there
- By car: Birrificio Lambrate is situated on Via Privata Gaetano Sbodio, 30/1, in the Lambrate neighbourhood, which is around 7 km from the centre of Milan. Depending on traffic, you can get there in about 20–30 minutes.
- By metro: the nearest station is Lambrate FS (M2). From there it is a six-minute walk to Birrificio Lambrate.
