Three evenings, eighty beers and sixty taps scattered throughout an ancient fortress, for a sensory journey featuring tastings, quality street food, guided tours, activities for children, gatherings under the stars and great music: from Saturday 16 to Monday 18 August (from 7.00 pm | admission €5 including a tote bag and a screen-printed glass | free entry for under-18s) the Castello Volante in Corigliano d’Otranto is transformed into a microcosm of hops, flavours and conviviality for the fifth edition of ‘Birre al Castello’, conceived by the Bluebeat Pub in Lecce, organised in collaboration with CoolClub and under the patronage of the Municipality of Corigliano d’Otranto.
At the stands, dotted between the moat and the terraces, there will be nine experiences representing Italy’s beer scene from north to south: Bastian Contrario from Parma, Birranova from Triggianello (Bari), Birrificio del Vulture from Rionero (Potenza), Cantaloop from Cantalupo del Sannio (Isernia), Delta Esse from Andria, Humus from Ancarano (Teramo), Resaka Brewing Tribe from Rome, Sbam! – Social Brewery Alta Murgia in Poggiorsini (Bari), Schigibier in Burago di Molgora (Monza and Brianza). There was also a stand organised by CDP Import featuring a selection of seven US breweries.
Il Fossato will host an ever-larger and more varied food area, offering the chance to enjoy traditional dishes with Matteo Taurino and Strit Sud, burgers, pulled pork and mixed fried snacks with Il Carrettino, ‘Caciocavallo impiccato’ from ‘900 Street Food and Salento-style ‘pucce’ from ‘La Puccia’, as well as the ‘Santo Pasticciotto’ from Pasticceria Natale, whilst Ciky and his band will be playing gems from the 1960s to the 1990s. The Infopoint and the “Sulle vie della birra” association will organise guided tours accompanied by beer tastings and the chance to meet some brewers in person (Saturday and Sunday at 8.00 pm – info and bookings: 3519137972). At Nuvole, the castle’s bar and bistro, you can enjoy an aperitif and sample the culinary offerings whilst sipping a cocktail from the list carefully curated by Michele Contini. On Sunday, don’t miss the unmissable event ‘Dinner with the Brewer’, organised by Luigi “Schigi” D’Amelio to showcase Schigibier, his new brewing project, with dishes created by chef Lorenzo Bianco (info and bookings on 3343429268). There’ll also be shows for the whole family featuring Malafè (Sunday at 8.30 pm) and Mister Distratto (Monday at 8.00 pm).
And then there’s plenty of music every evening: from 7.00 pm on the Nuvole terrace for some relaxing listening, and from 9.30 pm in the mezzanine to let loose on the dance floor. On Saturday, there’ll be a mix of strictly vinyl sets by Rome-based Donato Zarrilli (beat, soul and rhythm and blues) and Taranto-based Goffredo Santovito (soul, funk and jazz). On Sunday, following Pantu’s selection of funk, soul and hip hop, Insintesi will take to the stage: the producer duo, active since 1998, will take the audience on a journey through dub, roots and jungle with a mix of Mediterranean sounds and styles ranging from Salento to Provence. On the mic will be Myss Mykela and Papet J from Massilia Sound System. On Monday, the grand finale features Saimon, a Turin-based DJ specialising in Brazilian music, soul, funk and disco, followed by Misspia and her explosive selection of swing, rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly: it’ll be impossible to stay still.
FULL PROGRAMME
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
7.00 pm – Food & beer
stalls open From 7.00 pm – DJ SET with GOFFREDO SANTOVITO (Taranto) + DONATO ZARRILLI (Rome) | Soul, funk and R&B vinyl;
8.00 pm – GUIDED TOUR + TASTING organised by Infopoint Corigliano and Sulle vie della birra (info and bookings: 351913 7972)
SUNDAY 17 AUGUST
7.00 pm – Food & beer
stalls open from 7.00 pm – DJ SET with PANTU | Funky, soul and hip hop
8.00 pm – GUIDED TOUR + TASTING organised by Infopoint Corigliano and Sulle Vie della Birra (info and bookings 351913 7972)
8.30 pm – SHOW for all ages with MALAFÈ and the show *La Rompibolle*
8.30 pm – DINNER WITH THE BREWER
Dishes by chef Lorenzo Bianco, paired with Schigibier beers, presented and explained by Luigi Schigi D’Amelio (info and bookings 334342 9268)
9.30 pm – LIVE SET with INSINTESI, MISS MYKELA and PAPET J (Massilia Sound System)
MONDAY 18 AUGUST
7.00 pm – Food & beer
stalls open From 7.00 pm – DJ SET with SAIMON | Brazilian music, funk, disco
8.00 pm – SHOW for young and old with MISTER DISTRATTO | Juggling and circus theatre
9.30 pm – Until late: DJ SET with MISSPIA | Rock ’n’ Roll, rockabilly, swing and POLO | Black Music, Groove, etc.
FOOD
AREA* Traditional cuisine with Matteo Taurino and Strit Sud*
Burgers, pulled pork and fried snacks with Il
Carrettino* ‘Caciocavallo impiccato’ with ‘900 Street Food*
Salento-style pucce with La Puccia
*The ‘Santo Pasticciotto’ from Pasticceria Natale
Admission + bag + glass: €5
Free admission for under-18s
Info
3331803375
facebook.com/birrealcastello2025
instagram.com/birre_al_castello/
