Featured Interview
IACOPO LENCI
Brew Master and Owner
Bruton Brewery, Italy
About three years ago, we were at Vinitaly in Verona and we had our regular appointment with Agostino Lenci of Fattoria di Magliano (HEBA, POGGIO BESTIALE). We were getting settled down at the table and Agostino said, "before we try the wine, I have something new my son is making", he proceeded to bring us Beer from Iacopo's brewery BRUTON!
We were all very impressed and asked when we could start importing them to Ontario and the rest is history!
All of Brùton’s beers are produced with a high fermentation method, they are unfiltered and non-pasteurized and have no preservatives added. The production is all natural and the beer undergoes a re-fermentation in the bottle that enhances the character, complexity and their ability to preserve and improve over time.
This issue's interview is with Iacopo Lenci, the brewmaster and owner of Bruton Birra
Welcome to Ontario once again Iacopo, tell me, how did you get started in beer?
IL: Well, for the past 12 years, I’ve been a great fan of beer. I appreciated craft beers as my father appreciated finer wines. I was constantly buying beers from Belgium because the selection from Italy was weak. Myself and a friend began to brew our own beer in a garage and the next thing you know we invested in a building and began to make beer as a living. It started as a joke and then it became a job!
RT: Where does the name ‘Bruton’ come from?
IL: The name Bruton comes from Greek mythology in reference to what the people of Crete called beer. Bruton was a minotaur (half bull, half man) that was locked up in the king’s labryinth. The beer in those days was strong and powerful.
RT: How many beers do you currently produce.
IL: We produce 8 different beers from light to strong in style. All of the beers are produced using high fermentation, the same method used for the Belgian and English ales.
RT: Can you please talk about the style of ‘Bruton’ di Bruton?
IL: Bruton is our Alsacian style beer, similar to a Kronenberg or our Blonde beer. We use barley malt and German hops. The nose is very aromatic with notes of cammomile, grass, fennel and spring flower. The palate is light, refreshing and slightly fruity.
RT: Now, you have a beer called ‘Stoner’, I assume it has nothing to do with stones or rocks!
IL: That is correct, how’d you guess?!! Stoner is a Belgian style beer which is 7.5% in alcohol and is definately a strong ale. It is big, round and sweet at the beginning and then it finishes with a nice bitterness. The nose on this beer reminds you of bananas, peaches and other yellow fruits. The palate is fruity, and dry with a favourable bitterness on the finish. After having a few of them you may understand the name better!
RT: One of your newest beers is the Bianca? How did that come about?
IL: Well, I originally created Bianca as a beer for the summer only, a light refreshing Blonde style, however, the demand for it has not been only seasonal, therefore, I make it for all year round.
RT: And the final beer that I would like you to describe for me is the ‘Lilith’.
IL: Ah yes the ‘Lilith’, my little demon. This is a classic pale ale, resembling the English India Pale Ale. It’s a caramel beer with a heavy hand of hops. The hops themselves act as a natural preservative. The nose is characterized with aromas of mandarin, orange and pine and the palate is sweet at the front of the tongue and bitter at the back.
RT: Where does the name come from?
IL: Lilith is a mythological female Mesopotamian storm demon associated with wind and was thought to be a bearer of disease, and illness. You see Lilith was created by God to mate with Adam and she didn’t want to, she wanted to go her own way, Adam told God and and Lilith was heavily punished and became a storm demon…Heavily referenced with the Rock and Roll culture.
RT: I guess we’ll end it with Lilith- thanks very much Iacopo- your time, knowledge and insight was greatly appreciated. Rock On!