Monastery of SS. Peter and Paul at Cascinazza: Monastic Tradition and Innovation
Located in Buccinasco, on the outskirts of Milan, the Monastery of SS. Peter and Paul at Cascinazza represents a unique example of rediscovery and innovation of the Benedictine tradition. Founded in 1971, the monastery has developed an active community that integrates spirituality with manual labor, in perfect harmony with the motto 'ora et labora'.
Among the agricultural activities supporting monastic life, distinguished are beekeeping, the cultivation of vegetable gardens and orchards, and above all, the production of craft beer. In 2008, inspired by the renowned Belgian Trappist monasteries, the community inaugurated the first Italian monastic microbrewery, giving life to the prestigious Birra Cascinazza.
Birra Cascinazza: Quality, Passion, and Artisan Craftsmanship
The production of Birra Cascinazza stands out for meticulous attention to detail and respect for monastic tradition. The monks have perfected their brewing method thanks to experience gained in historic abbeys such as Westvleteren, Chimay, and Achel. Every phase of the process, from selecting raw materials to bottling, is carefully managed personally, contributing to the creation of beers with a unique and distinctive character.
The beers are top-fermented, with a long maturation period and bottle refermentation that give them a rich, complex, and ever-evolving aromatic profile. The production process is entirely artisanal and free from filtration, stabilization, or pasteurization, ensuring a living product that improves over time.
Varieties of Birra Cascinazza
- Blond: a clear, fresh, and light beer with a bright golden color. Perfect for those seeking a refreshing and thirst-quenching experience.
- Bruin: a dark, structured, and complex beer with delicate notes of caramel, plum, and raisin. Ideal paired with robust meats and aged cheeses.
- Amber: an amber beer with an intense aromatic profile, featuring malt and citrus accents. Versatile and perfect to enjoy at any time of the day.
- Kriek: a spiced beer with sour cherries, fresh and thirst-quenching in flavor, excellent as an aperitif or paired with fish dishes.
Production is deliberately limited to a maximum of 35,000 bottles per year to maintain a high standard and respect the rhythms of community life. This quality choice has been internationally recognized, as demonstrated by the silver medal won by Birra Cascinazza Blond at the 2014 Brussels Beer Challenge.
The history of the Cascinazza Monastery and its craft beer is a living testimony to how tradition, passion, and dedication can merge to create authentic products capable of expressing the deepest essence of Italian monastic life.
