Articioc: Craft Beer and Social Inclusion in Noceto
Articioc is a social cooperative founded in Noceto, in the province of Parma, which has chosen the production of craft beer as a tool to promote social inclusion and the employment of people with disabilities. Established in 2014, the cooperative has its roots in the experience of the cultural association Altafermentazione, engaged since 2009 in spreading the craft beer culture in the Parma area.
The name 'Articioc,' which in the Parmigiano dialect means 'artichoke,' carries a profound message: just as the heart of the artichoke, its most precious part, must be protected by leaves and thorns to be able to grow, so the cooperative safeguards and supports young people with disabilities in the workforce, cultivating their skills and enhancing their abilities.
Articioc’s Beers and Their Social Value
Articioc’s beer production develops through an artisanal and inclusive process, encompassing all fundamental stages, from malt grinding to fermentation, from bottling to labeling. Each stage represents an opportunity to involve people with different abilities, assigning each a specific role that allows them to increase autonomy, responsibility, and a sense of belonging.
The beers signed Articioc are three, each with a unique personality:
- Primiera (Blond Ale): a blonde with an intense and clean taste, featuring delicate aromas of acacia honey, fruit, and freshly cut grass.
- Angiolèn (American Wheat): a light and fresh wheat beer, with citrusy notes reminiscent of mandarin, perfect for accompanying aperitifs.
- Pita (India Pale Ale): an amber American IPA, moderately alcoholic, characterized by a well-marked hopping with hints of tropical fruit, citrus, and herbal notes.
These beers are available in two formats, 33 cl and 75 cl, to meet different consumption needs while always valuing the artisanal quality of the product.
In addition to standard production, Articioc also offers a custom beer service dedicated to companies in the Horeca sector. This option allows for combining a high-quality product with a concrete message of social inclusion, creating personalized bottles featuring the companies’ brands.
Another project of the cooperative is the beer “4Change”, an Irish Red ale, slightly above moderate in alcohol content (around 6 degrees), designed exclusively for associations, institutions, and cooperatives. This special product is used as a fundraising tool for projects that support the most vulnerable people.
Articioc thus represents a living example of how artisanal production can become a vehicle not only of quality and tradition but also of inclusion, solidarity, and opportunities for growth for those facing major challenges in daily life.