Aeffe: The Brewery Revolutionizing Craft Beer with Tradition, Innovation, and Culture

Italy is a land of gastronomic excellence, and craft beer is no exception. Among the key players in this ever-growing movement stands Arturo Spinelli and his brewery, Aeffe. Since 2008, this project has transformed a passion for beer into a solid reality, combining tradition with experimentation.
1. Who is Arturo?
Arturo is a passionate advocate of his homeland and a lover of craft beer. He’s also a visionary who decided to follow his dream.
“I started with limited means but a strong desire to make beer,” he shares. This passion allowed Aeffe Brewery to grow and establish itself in the Italian craft beer scene.
2. The Aeffe Team
Aeffe’s success isn’t only Arturo’s doing. It’s also thanks to a tightly-knit team that shares his vision. Ferdinando Di Landro handles the bureaucratic side of things, Pasquale Senatore, electronic engineer, is the head brewer, Antonio Bove manages direct client relations and Giuseppe Attanasio, the sales director, is out in the field promoting Aeffe’s craft beer.
3. The Birth of Aeffe Brewery
Aeffe started in 2008 in the basement of a condominium in Castel San Giorgio (SA), with three fermenters and a desire to grow. Today, the brewery is located in a 1000 sqm facility in Nocera Inferiore (SA), with ten fermenters and a production process that has evolved through collaboration with beer firms.
“Aeffe has always focused on quality and customization,” explains Arturo. By partnering with local pizzerias and sandwich shops and creating custom beers in small batches, Aeffe has built a loyal clientele.
4. The Partnership with NZIRIA® Association
Aeffe’s collaboration with NZIRIA happened almost by chance, thanks to Maria Molinari, NZIRIA APS ‘s vice president and graphic designer for a label company working with the brewery. “From there, Giovanni Pellegrino, a biologist with a passion for beer, swept us up in his projects. We even implemented an in-house lab to further improve our product’s quality.”
5. NZIRIA Beers: Three Unique Selections
For the NZIRIA Beer project, Aeffe selected three beers that best represent their philosophy. The first is a classic Czech Pilsner made with Italian malt. The second is a Saison, a beer Arturo is particularly proud of. “In the Saison, we add ancient grain Senatore Cappelli, grown in Cilento, along with spices like ginger, orange peel, and coriander.” The final selection is an American IPA, with hops from the U.S., offering a perfect balance between aroma and bitterness.
6. Local and High-Quality Ingredients
Aeffe sources most ingredients from a national supplier, but when it comes to specialty ingredients, they turn to local markets. “We use ancient grains, coriander, and ginger grown in the area, and one of our beers even contains DOP lemon peel from the Amalfi Coast.”
7. The Future of Local Craft Beer
Arturo is clear: quality craft beer is still a niche product, and industrial competition makes it hard for consumers to appreciate the importance of quality. “Unfortunately, many industrial breweries pose as craft, but they’re not.” However, Arturo remains optimistic: “We and our fellow brewers support each other, advancing the mission of beer education.”
8. Natural Selection in the Market
The craft beer world is constantly evolving, but not everyone will survive. “Quality and variety will prevail,” Arturo says. Aeffe, for example, welcomes visitors to the brewery, offering guided tours and tastings. This hands-on experience helps people understand what goes into making craft beer.
9. Beer and Culture: A Natural Bond
For Arturo, beer and culture go hand in hand. “We’ve hosted book presentations and music events at the brewery, and, thanks to Giovanni, we’re planning a festival featuring emerging music groups. There’s nothing better than enjoying good music with a great beer in hand.”
10. What’s New at Aeffe: Gluten-Free Beers and Cans
Aeffe is always looking ahead, and the future brings exciting innovations. “We’ve developed two gluten-free beers, a Pilsner and an IPA, completely natural, without chemical additives. Plus, we’re working on canning our beers, which will be gradually introduced in the coming months.”
With passion and dedication, Arturo and Aeffe Brewery are a testament to how Italian craft beer can continue to grow and innovate while keeping quality and love for the territory at its core.
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