Beer broadens its horizons at Simei 2026:
a new partnership with Consorzio Birra Italiana

Simei 2026 further strengthens its position as the leading international trade fair for wine and beverage processing and packaging technologies by expanding its focus on the brewing industry through a new partnership with Consorzio Birra Italiana. This agreement marks an important step forward in promoting the entire Italian beer supply chain and enriches the programme of the exhibition's 31st edition with initiatives dedicated to innovation across the brewing sector. It also reflects SIMEI's commitment to providing an increasingly comprehensive overview of the technologies, expertise and excellence shaping today's beverage industries.

 A dedicated area for Italian-grown hops

Among the key new features of Simei 2026 is the launch of a dedicated Hop Area, designed to showcase Italian-grown hops and highlight the strategic role of this rapidly expanding supply chain in the development of the country's craft brewing industry. The Hop Area will bring together growers, industry professionals and sector stakeholders, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in hop cultivation, varietal selection and the promotion of Italian-grown hops. It will also provide a platform for dialogue between agriculture, research and industry, fostering new business opportunities and collaborative projects.

The debut of the Italian Beer Competition

One of the major highlights of Simei 2026 will be the first edition of the Italian Beer Competition, an initiative promoted by Consorzio Birra Italiana to recognise the finest beers produced using Italian-grown raw materials while supporting the development of a stronger and more recognisable national agricultural supply chain. The competition has been created to give visibility to independent craft breweries that invest in the quality and origin of their ingredients, rewarding beers brewed primarily with Italian malted barley and hops. More than simply celebrating the final product, the competition aims to recognise the entire production chain, highlighting the close relationship between farmers, maltsters, hop growers and breweries.

Entries will be assessed by a panel of industry experts according to criteria including sensory quality, compliance with the declared beer style and the effective use and enhancement of Italian raw materials. The awards ceremony will take place on 18 November during Simei 2026 and will be one of the flagship events within the exhibition's beer programme.

The competition forms part of a broader initiative to promote Italy's brewing supply chain, encouraging a beer culture increasingly focused on sustainability, traceability and the value of Italian agricultural production. It is also designed to create new opportunities for networking between breweries, technology suppliers, buyers and industry professionals, contributing to the continued growth and development of the sector. For Simei visitors, the Italian Beer Competition will provide a unique opportunity to discover the excellence of Italian craft brewing and explore how technological innovation, research and premium-quality raw materials can come together to create products that are increasingly competitive on both domestic and international markets.

Technical sessions and a focus on the brewing supply chain

The beer programme will also feature a series of technical seminars, conferences and in-depth sessions aimed at brewing professionals, breweries, agricultural businesses, maltsters and other operators across the supply chain.

Topics will include the evolution of hop cultivation in Italy, the enhancement of Italian-grown raw materials, technological innovation in brewing production and the future development of the sector. Special attention will also be given to the F.I.L.O. research project, an initiative dedicated to developing the Italian hop and brewing barley supply chain with the goal of promoting a more sustainable, competitive and quality-oriented production system.

The inclusion of Consorzio Birra Italiana in the Simei 2026 programme reflects the exhibition's ongoing evolution into a platform representing the entire beverage ecosystem. Alongside its traditional focus on wine, olive oil and spirits, Simei now offers an even broader space dedicated to the beer industry, featuring technical content, networking opportunities and initiatives that promote innovation throughout the entire supply chain. From vineyard to brewery, from agricultural production to processing technologies, bottling and packaging, Simei continues to provide a comprehensive overview of the solutions shaping the future of the beverage industry, confirming its role as the international meeting point for companies, professionals and market operators.