There are places that simply cannot be defined in geographical terms. Rimini is one of them. Rimini evokes thoughts of the beach and the seaside, and it has long been known as the capital of summer fun and nightlife. It's also a city with more than 2,000 years of history. Founded as a Roman colony in 268 BC, the city has a wealth of monuments and traces left behind by the many generations that have succeeded each other over the centuries, from the Augustus Arch and Tiberius Bridge to the Pigna Fountain and the Palazzo dell'Arengo. But Rimini stands for even more than this. Rimini is a place of spirit. Above all, it holds the spirit of celebrated movie director Federico Fellini, who was born there in 1920 and lived there for the first 19 years of his life. Even after he moved away, Rimini remained important to Fellini. Fellini returned often, telling its stories, idealizing it and transfiguring it in his masterpieces. Fellini's Rimini is therefore, first and foremost, an idea, a feeling, a gesture of the spirit, easy-going and irreverent in “I Vitelloni”, but lovably nostalgic in “Amarcord”.
Amarcord Beer draws its inspiration from both these facets of Rimini: its physical aspects of geography and history, and from the soul and spirit of Fellini. The spirit of Fellini, which some of the founders of Birra Amarcord encountered while they were teenagers (precisely when the director was working with Tonino Guerra on the filmscript for “Amarcord”), seems to have permeated all the subsequent meetings with the many artists who have collaborated in the brewery's creative adventure, from Tonino Guerra himself through to Milton Glaser, Garrett Oliver, Robert Niccoli and Eron.
Fellini won the fourth Oscar award of his career with “Amarcord”, and it is the film that probably best represents the universe of his values. "Amarcord" is a local Romagna dialect word that means "I remember", and its sound has a distinctly poetic note suggesting a thinly-veiled nostalgia for a past that was more genuine and authentic. The name of the brewery, which opened in 1997, therefore combines a tribute to Fellini as an artist, the land of Romagna, and the significance of a single word "Amarcord" that blends values with a consistent corporate philosophy. A name that, despite being indissolubly linked with a specific context, can nevertheless be easily understood by everyone. And shared by everyone.
Although the heart of Birra Amarcord beats firmly in Romagna, its horizons stretch all around the world. They have collaborated with brewers from around the world, from Garrett Oliver in New York City to Oliver Wesseloh and Davide Bigucci. They may have come from different directions and experiences, and their brewing creeds may be different, but these collaborations are capable of creating truly excellent results. And even fine friendships. These collaborations are why the Birra Amarcord team likes to think of some of their beers as the outcome of a meeting between creative minds. Or more simply, between brewers who love to do their job well, following their feelings and intuitions.
Their brewing philosophy dictates that in order to create a great beer, great ingredients and a great story are not enough. They believe that the real difference is made by people who work every day to create unique products. The best ingredient is the passion of these people, together with their commitment. Their aim is to brew the best beers you've ever tasted, beers that you'll remember forever. They’ve been working to achieve this goal and enjoying themselves every day along the way… ever since 1997!
