Birrificio Lariano was founded in 2008, born from a desire to turn a homebrewing passion into a full-fledged professional business. The project was shaped by Fulvio—uncle of the current manager and brewer Federico Nessi—along with Emanuele (a partner at the time) and Elio Nessi, Federico’s father. Operations began on a modest scale, yet with the clear intention of gradually building a structured production enterprise. “We started out as true artisans, driven by great passion and a strong desire to learn“, Nessi recounts. “Over time, we have grown both in terms of production volume and organizational structure, all while maintaining a grounded approach; for us, product quality and direct relationships with customers and consumers are what matter most. Our investments have reflected this philosophy: striving for perfection without overextending ourselves“. A major step up in scale occurred in 2016 with the move to Sirone, in the province of Lecco, which now houses all production, packaging, logistics, and shipping operations. The company expanded from the original 150-square-meter facility to a site spanning over 1,000 square meters, featuring expanded production capacity, better-organized workspaces, and a more advanced packaging section. “Our annual production hovers around 4,000 hectoliters, with the potential to exceed 5,000 thanks to our current facility.”
Precise post-fermentation management
Birrificio Lariano’s production philosophy is driven by a specific goal: ensuring consistency. The beer is not considered “finished” once the recipe is formulated or fermentation ends; the product’s integrity must be maintained through the subsequent stages, right up to packaging and distribution. To this end, procedures and quality checks—as well as the in-house laboratory—have been progressively strengthened, combining the intuitive craft of brewing with a more systematic management of production parameters and continuous product monitoring. “Our main strength is consistent quality,” the brewer confirms. “It is essential that the customer always enjoys the same experience in the glass. A beer must be recognizable, clean, stable, and true to the intended profile, regardless of the batch or the time of year“. This same logic guides the packaging process, which is considered crucial for optimal product preservation. Current equipment includes a 6-spout GAI bottling line and a new 5-head Sifa kegging machine (installed in late 2025)—a selection that prioritizes Italian manufacturers known for quality, reliability, and dependable technical support. “Since it directly impacts the beer’s stability and shelf life, packaging is a critical stage for us. We don’t just look at machine speed; our priority is maintaining high, consistent production standards and exercising precise control over what happens after fermentation“.
New five-head keg filler
The most significant investment in the production area during the 2024–2025 period concerns the kegging process, which accounts for approximately 80–85% of total production. The new 5-head Sifa machine has replaced two previous single-head units, substantially altering the department’s organization. The advantage lies not merely in hourly throughput; modern automation allows for the smoother, more continuous management of a complex sequence of operations, streamlining the entire flow of containers. Specifically, kegs arrive at the machine via a roller conveyor and undergo various cleaning and sanitization stages—using acidic and alkaline agents as well as steam—followed by filling, a final rinse of the connection point, and discharge via the exit conveyor. “Installing this new line has enabled us to significantly improve packaging management: we have accelerated the process and organized the workflow better, and the kegging machine’s capacity is now around 70–75 kegs per hour. Handling washing, cleaning, sanitization, and filling in a single inline process ensures greater continuity. It was a major investment, but the benefits are tangible in terms of both operations and quality management“. In this context, the machine is part of a broader strategy: increasing efficiency without making productivity the sole metric for success. “We aim to support volumes through more orderly packaging operations while closely monitoring the factors that affect product stability“. The expansion of the in-house laboratory—carried out during the same period with new analysis and control equipment—should be viewed in this same light: increased packaging capacity requires equally rigorous quality oversight.
15–20 varieties, ranging from classic to hop-forward styles
The dedicated bottling line handles glass formats—33 cl and, for certain products, 75 cl—moving them through a precise sequence. Initially, the bottles are loaded onto a rotary platform before proceeding to the labeling station, where an ENOS labeller prints the batch number, expiration date, and other essential information directly onto the label. Conveyors then transport the bottles to a GAI bottling machine—operating at a speed of approximately 1,000 bottles per hour—where the containers are rinsed, air-purged, filled, and capped. Once the process is complete, the bottles undergo an external rinse, are boxed, and are transferred to cold storage. “Maintaining high, consistent standards through the right equipment is our priority; perfecting the recipe isn’t enough on its own“. Production currently comprises 15–20 core products, supplemented by limited-edition and seasonal releases. Grigna and Falesia—among the brewery’s earliest creations—remain top sellers, while Statale 52 and American Hype represent the hoppier, more modern side of the lineup, without sacrificing balance, cleanliness, or drinkability. “At the heart of everything is a desire to produce beers that are enjoyable and reflect our unique identity. We aren’t interested in chasing fleeting trends or creating extreme products just for shock value; we want to offer beers that customers will happily drink a second time—and then a third. Every product must have a distinct personality while remaining accessible and pleasant“.
