Italy Craft Beer Hunt: Tuscany, Verona & Our Best Pizza Yet

Episode 26 - When you think about traveling to Italy, craft beer probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Wine, pasta, pizza, and historic cities? Absolutely. But finding a great Italian IPA? That's where our adventure gets interesting. We're taking you along on our weeklong journey through Tuscany, Verona, and Lake Garda, where we discovered incredible food, local breweries, and a drinking culture that was quite different from what we're used to in Arizona. We start things off with Lunchbox Legend from More Brewing Company, a 7.5% peanut butter and jelly-inspired sour ale. Adam thinks it's one of the best PB&J beers we've tried. Dedra isn't completely convinced, although she wouldn't turn one down. Then we're off to Italy! Our first major food discovery was Ale's Pizza in Marina di Massa. One Diavola pizza was all it took to set the standard for the rest of our trip, and no other pizza managed to measure up. We also explore the marble quarries of Carrara, enjoy fresh seafood along the Tuscan coast, and discover that even someone who doesn't particularly enjoy tomatoes or calamari can have their mind changed by Italian cooking. Of course, we needed to find some craft beer. From Birrificio Apuano's Brezza to Birrificio del Forte's La Mancina, we sampled a range of Italian beers before discovering Radical Brewery at a beach club. Hop's Bound, Heavy Tune, and Daft Bock turned that unexpected stop into one of our favorite beer discoveries of the trip. Our travels eventually take us to Verona for Amarone risotto, steak, truffles, and tender beef cheek, followed by an excursion to Sirmione on Lake Garda. Along the way, we talk about navigating Italian traffic, accidentally searching for closed bars, finding beer with our phone flashlights, and why Dedra's ankle wasn't particularly happy with all those cobblestones. Whether you're planning a trip to Italy, curious about Italian craft beer, or just enjoy a good food-and-travel story, come along for the adventure. Follow The Adam & Dedra Show for more brewery visits, memorable meals, and unexpected discoveries. Craft Beer. Food. Fun. Cheers!