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Which beers sold as foreign are brewed in Britain, and what to buy instead

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Work in progress. We are still reading cans and settling where listings disagree. Seen a beer whose small print contradicts its label? Tell us.

Where is Birra Menabrea Bionda brewed?

Genuine import Verified Last checked 6 September 2026

Birra Menabrea Bionda is genuinely imported from Italy, at the same strength as at home.

Listed by Tesco and Ocado when last checked. The product pages are among the sources below.

4.8%
UK
4.8%
Italy
The UK version matches the strength sold in Italy.

Every beer on the shelf by strength

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Italy
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Italy
Italian brand, Biella and Italian Alps imagery, 1846 founding date
Brewed in (country)
Italy
Brand owner
Birra Menabrea S.p.A., part of the Forst group
HQ: Biella, Piedmont, Italy
UK strength
4.8%
Strength at home (Italy)
4.8%
Home-market strength of 4.8% read from Birra Menabrea's page for the home market; the UK pack is 4.8%.
What the UK label says
“C&C describes it as brewed in Biella in the foothills of the Italian Alps”
Source: candcgroupplc.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
C&C Group plc (as importer and distributor)
Style
Lager
Brand created
1846, Italy
Brewed at home in
Biella, Piedmont, Italy

In short

Birra Menabrea Bionda is imported. The UK product is brewed at Biella, Piedmont in Italy. It is also the same strength as at home, 4.8%. The brand belongs to Birra Menabrea S.p.A., part of the Forst group. In the UK it is imported and distributed by C&C Group plc. The label says: "C&C describes it as brewed in Biella in the foothills of the Italian Alps."

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
Dates not establishedNot establishedImported from Biella; UK and Ireland distribution by C&C Groupcandcgroupplc.com

What changed

Questions people ask

Where is Birra Menabrea Bionda brewed?

The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Biella, Piedmont in Italy.

Is Birra Menabrea Bionda brewed in the UK?

No. The UK product is brewed in Italy.

Is Birra Menabrea Bionda really Italian?

Yes, on origin: the UK product is brewed in Italy.

Who owns Birra Menabrea Bionda?

Birra Menabrea Bionda is owned by Birra Menabrea S.p.A., part of the Forst group, headquartered in Biella, Piedmont, Italy. In the UK the brand is handled by C&C Group plc as importer and distributor.

What strength is Birra Menabrea Bionda in the UK?

Birra Menabrea Bionda is 4.8% ABV in the UK. In Italy it is 4.8%.

Is Birra Menabrea Bionda weaker in the UK than in Italy?

No. It is 4.8% in both the UK and Italy.

See also

Birra Ichnusa
Imported from Italy · 4.7% · sold as Italian
Genuine import Partly verified
Birra Mapelli Italia Premium Lager
Origin not established · sold as Italian
Unverified
Birra Messina Cristalli di Sale
Origin not established · sold as Italian
Unverified
Birra Moretti L'Autentica
Manchester · 4.6% · sold as Italian
Brewed here Verified
Birra Moretti Sale di Mare
Manchester · 4.8% · sold as Italian
Brewed here Verified
Birra Moretti Zero
Imported from Netherlands · 0.05% · sold as Italian
Verified

Every beer sold as Italy

Sources

  1. C&C Group plc (candcgroupplc.com), 5 September 2026: Brewed in Biella, 4.8% abv for Bionda, C&C distributes in UK and Ireland
  2. second research pass (thegrocer.co.uk): cited by second research pass
  3. second research pass (tesco.com): cited by second research pass
  4. second research pass (tesco.com): cited by second research pass
  5. second research pass (ocado.com): cited by second research pass
  6. second research pass (menabrea.co.uk): cited by second research pass
  7. Birra Menabrea (Italy) (birramenabrea.com), 5 September 2026: Brewer's own history page: 'Nel 1991, l'azienda entra a far parte del Gruppo Birra Forst'; 'Birra Menabrea è prodotta a Biella, ai piedi delle Alpi'.
  8. Birra Menabrea (Italy) (birramenabrea.com), 6 September 2026: Brewer's Italian product page for La Gamma Bionda: 'ALCOOL 4,80% Vol.'

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