New experiences in the Italian craft beer market. Opportunities for development in the Piedmont Region

Authors

  • Mina Giorgio Department of Management “Valter Cantino”, University of Turin, Italy
  • Rosalia Stella Evola Department of Management “Valter Cantino”, University of Turin, Italy
  • Giovanni Peira Department of Management “Valter Cantino”, University of Turin, Italy
  • Alessandro Bonadonna Department of Management “Valter Cantino”, University of Turin, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46793/ICEMIT23.027M

Keywords:

Craft beer, Consumer behaviour, Beer tourism, Italian Grape Ale

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess new pathways for the niche markets of IGA beers in Piedmont, Italy. Specifically, this study aims to analyse the supply and demand side for these products to evaluate the opportunities for developing enogastronomic tourism experiences. First, available public statistics on microbreweries were analysed to map their diffusion in Piedmont. Then, a survey was prepared to assess consumers’ opinions about these products, with a total of 336 consumers participating in the study. The main results show that, while craft beers are well-known and frequently bought by consumers, IGA beers are still not very widespread. Anyhow, consumers showed positive attitudes towards locally produced products thus highlighting that there is a space for developing new tourism experiences related to these local specialities. Finally, the study shows that consumers would be interested in buying them and paying more than traditional beers.

References

Acanfora, M. (2009). Un’altra birra! (Another beer!). Altreconomia. Milano, Italy.

Alfeo, V., Todaro, A., Migliore, G., Borsellino, V., & Schimmenti, E. (2020). Microbreweries, brewpubs and beerfirms in the Sicilian craft beer industry. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 32(1), 122–138. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWBR-01-2019-0005

Alonso, A.D., Sakellarios, N. (2017). The potential for craft brewing tourism development in the United States: a stakeholder view. Tourism Recreation Research, 42, 96-107.

Assobirra. (2016). Assobirra Annual Report 2015. Available online http://www.assobirra.it/press/wp-content/assobirra_ar2016_versione_web.pdf

Assobirra. (2022). Assobirra Annual Report 2022. Available online https://www.assobirra.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AnnualReport_2022-1.pdf

Aquilani, B., Laureti, T., Poponi, S., Secondi, L. (2015). Beer choice and consumption determinants when craft beers are tasted: an exploratory study of consumer preferences; Food Quality and Preference, 41; 214-224.

Cannatelli, B., Pedrini, M., Grumo, M. (2017). The effect of brand management and product quality on firm performance: the Italian craft brewing sector. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 23; 303-325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080%2F10454446.2014.949989

Carbone, A., & Quici, L. (2020). Craft beer mon amour: An exploration of Italian craft consumers. British Food Journal, 122(8), 2671–2687. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-07-2019-0476

Cortese, D., Pairotti, M. B., Giachino, C., & Bonadonna, A. (2017). The art of craft beer in a traditional wine nation: A preliminary study in a model area. Calitatea, 18(161), 149-156.

Donadini, G., & Porretta, S. (2017). Uncovering patterns of consumers’ interest for beer: A case study with craft beers. Food Research International, 91, 183–198. https://doi.org/10.1016 /j.foodres.2016.11.043

Durán-Sánchez, A., de la Cruz del Río-Rama, M., Álvarez-García, J., & Oliveira, C. (2022). Analysis of Worldwide Research on Craft Beer. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177 /21582440221108154

Fastigi, M., Esposti, R., Orazi, F., Viganò, E. (2015a). The irresistible rise of the craft brewing sector in Italy: can we explain it? 4th AIEAA – Associazione Italiana di Economia Agraria e Applicata Conference “Innovation, productivity and growth: towards sustainable agri-food production”; Ancona, 11-12th June 2015.

Fastigi, M., Esposti, R., & Viganò, E. (2015b). La craft beer revolution in Italia e i birrifici agricoli: traiettorie evolutive e principali criticità (The craft beer revolution in Italy and the agricultural breweries: evolution and treaths). Argomenti - Rivista di economia, cultura e ricerca sociale, Terza serie; 2; 67-92.

Ferrero, G. (1987). Impresa e management (Business and management). Giuffrè, Milano, Italy.

Fletchall, A. M. (2016). Place-Making Through Beer-Drinking: A Case Studies of Montana’s Craft Breweries; Geographical Review, 106, 539-566. Available online https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-465112057/place-making-through-beer-drinking-a-case-studies

Gajić, T., Raljić, J. P., Blešić, I., Aleksić, M., Vukolić, D., Petrović, M. D., Yakovenko, N. V., & Sikimić, V. (2021). Creating opportunities for the development of craft beer tourism in serbia as a new form of sustainable tourism. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390 /su13168730

Garavaglia, C. (2010). Birra, identità locale e legame territoriale; Agriregionieuropa; 6. Available online https://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/en/content/article/31/20/birra-identita-locale-e-legame-territoriale

Garavaglia, C. (2015). Entrepreneurship and entry of small firms into a mature industry: the case of microbreweries in Italy. Working paper no. 179. AAWE American Association of wine economists.

Hernandez-Fernandez, A., & Lewis, M. C. (2019). Brand authenticity leads to perceived value and brand trust. European Journal of Management and Business Economics, 28(3), 222–238. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJMBE-10-2017-0027

ISTAT; 2020; Il consumo di alcol in Italia. Anno 2019 (Alcohol consumption in Italy. Report 2019). Available online https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/244222

Jackson, M. (1999). World Beers Guide. Slow Food Editore. Bra (Italy)

Kraftchick, F. J., Byrd, E., Canziani, B. & Gladwell, N. (2014). Understanding beer tourist motivation; Tourism Management Perspectives; 12; 41-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2017.1303541

Lerro, M., Marotta, G., & Nazzaro, C. (2020). Measuring consumers’ preferences for craft beer attributes through Best-Worst Scaling. Agricultural and Food Economics, 8(1). https://doi.org /10.1186/s40100-019-0138-4

Levitt, J. A., Taylor, Jr., S., & Norris, C. (2023). Do local craft beverages taste better? An investigation into the halo effect. Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 26(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2021.1985366

Massaglia, S., Merlino, V. M., Blanc, S., Bargetto, A., & Borra, D. (2022). Latent class analysis and individuals’ preferences mapping: The new consumption orientations and perspectives for craft beer in North-West Italy. British Food Journal, 124(4), 1049–1065. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2021-0278

Matthews, A. J. & Patton, M. T. (2016). Exploring place marketing by American microbreweries: neolocal expressions of ethnicity and race. Journal of Cultural Geography, 33; 275-309. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08873631.2016.1145406

Merlino, V. M., Blanc, S., Massaglia, S., & Borra, D. (2020). Innovation in craft beer packaging: Evaluation of consumer perception and acceptance. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 5(3), 422–433. https://doi.org/10.3934/AGRFOOD.2020.3.422

Microbirrifici. (2023). The Italian beer database. https://www.microbirrifici.org

Murray, D.W., O’Neill, M.A. (2012). Craft beer: penetrating a niche market; British Food Journal, 114, 899-909. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00070701211241518

Musso, T. & Drago, M. (2013). Baladin. La birra artigianale è tutta colpa di Teo. Feltrinelli, Milano, Italy.

Pilone, V., Di Pasquale, A., & Stasi, A. (2023). Consumer Preferences for Craft Beer by Means of Artificial Intelligence: Are Italian Producers Doing Well? Beverages, 9(1). https://doi.org /10.3390/beverages9010026

Rivaroli, S., Lindenmeier, J., & Spadoni, R. (2019). Attitudes and Motivations Toward Craft Beer Consumption: An Explanatory Study in Two Different Countries. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 25(3), 276–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/10454446.2018.1531802

Rivaroli, S., Lindenmeier, J., & Spadoni, R. (2020). Is craft beer consumption genderless? Exploratory evidence from Italy and Germany. British Food Journal, 122(3), 929–943. https://doi.org /10.1108/BFJ-06-2019-0429

Rosburg, A., & Grebitus, C. (2021). Sustainable development in the craft brewing industry: A case study of Iowa brewers. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(7), 2966–2979. https://doi.org /10.1002/bse.2782

Schnell, M. S. & Reese, F. J. (2009). Microbreweries as tools of local identity. Journal of Cultural Geography, 21; 45-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08873630309478266

Slocum S. (2015). Understanding tourism support for a craft beer trail: the case of Loudon County, Virginia. Tourism Planning & Development; 13; 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2015.1104381

Slow Food. (2012). Guida alle birre d’Italia 2013 (Italian Beers Guide 2013). Slow Food Editore, Bra, Italy.

Steinbach, J., Burgardt, V. D. C. D. F., & Machado-Lunkes, A. (2023). Perceptions, attitudes, and motivational factors for consumers and nonconsumers of traditional and craft beers. Journal of Sensory Studies, 38(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/joss.12813

Strong, G. & England, K. (Ed). (2015). Beer Style Guidelines 2015. Beer Judge Certification Program. Available online http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2015_Guidelines_Beer.pdf

The Brewers of Europe. (2022). Beer statistics 2022 edition. Available online https://brewersofeurope.org/site/media-centre/index.php?class_id=31

Verhaal, J. C. & Dobrev, S. D. (2022). The Authenticity Paradox: Why the Returns to Authenticity on Audience Appeal Decrease in Popularity and Iconicity. Journal of Management, 48(2), 251–280. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206320950414

Downloads

Published

2023-12-27

How to Cite

Giorgio, M., Evola, R. S., Peira, G., & Bonadonna, A. (2023). New experiences in the Italian craft beer market. Opportunities for development in the Piedmont Region . International Scientific Conference on Economy, Management and Information Technologies, 1(1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.46793/ICEMIT23.027M