Ichnusa Non Filtrata is a unique beer that embodies the wild and authentic spirit of Sardinia. This article delves into the characteristics, production, and cultural significance of this distinctive brew.
Origins and Production
Birra Ichnusa is produced just a few kilometers from Cagliari, stemming from a passion for beer and a love for Sardinia. Ichnusa, in fact, is the Sardinian beer par excellence, taking its name from an ancient Greek denomination of the island Ichnoussa, which means "Footprint". It has become an integral part of Sardinian culture. Founded in 1912 by Antonio Birocchi, Aristide Giorgetti and Francesco Vincenzi, it was acquired in more recent times by the Dutch group Heineken. Today, it is the beer that best expresses the spirit and pride of Sardinia, a beer associated with lightheartedness and freshness.
The latest creation from Ichnusa is an unfiltered, bottom-fermented beer made with 100% pure barley malt. It originates from an inspiration of the master brewers of Assemini.
The Unfiltered Process
Ichnusa Non Filtrata stands out because it is not subjected to any filtration process. In the final stage of production, the beer is left to settle naturally in fermentation tanks. This absence of filtration is what makes it unique. Instead of being filtered at the end of the process, it is left to decant naturally in fermentation tanks.
Characteristics
The use of light barley malt and caramel barley malt gives Ichnusa Non Filtrata a rounded taste, offering delicate herbaceous sensations and notes of yellow fruit and apricot, accompanied by a pleasant, fragrant memory of bread crust. The color is luminous, due to the use of both light barley malt and caramel barley malt, and will therefore also have a pleasantly veiled appearance. Because it is unfiltered, it retains the yeasts that remain in suspension. These yeasts contribute to its distinct appearance and flavor profile.
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Taste and Aroma
It is full-bodied, balanced, and has an amiable taste. Ichnusa Non Filtrata retains the yeasts in suspension, giving it a pleasantly veiled appearance. The small and skillful gestures of the master brewer mark its production process, which ends with the final jet of hops, done by hand as in the past, giving Ichnusa Non Filtrata its unmistakable aroma. It offers a soft drink with a slight bitter note in the finish.
Visual Appeal
The beer has a golden and luminous color with a pleasant haze. It retains herbaceous aromas and notes of yellow fruit and apricot.
The Bottle: A Symbol of Sardinian Identity
The exclusivity of Ichnusa Non Filtrata is also underlined by its bottle: a unique shape that expresses the history of the brand, the wild and pure spirit of its land of origin. Different in taste and shape compared to all the beers on the market. In the bottle of Ichnusa Non Filtrata we find the Sardinian soul of this counter-current beer. A bottle that is inspired by the company's past, once a cannery, and that recalls in shape one of the bottles used for tomato sauces. An iconic and different look than all the others on the market. In a world of "long necks", Ichnusa Non Filtrata stands out with its rounded bottle and its important label: a tribute to Sardinia and its people.
This distinctive bottle shape is a tribute to the island's heritage. It stands out from other beers with its unique design.
Cultural Significance
Ichnusa Non Filtrata captures the most authentic and wild essence of Sardinia, an island rich in history, culture, and millenary traditions. The spot features ordinary people. Men and women from Sardinia are shown in a rhythmic story-collage that claims, with subtle self-irony, the authenticity of a land proud of its traditions and the character of an ancient people, proud and different from all. In just 30 seconds, Ichnusa accompanies us to discover the truest Sardinia, passing from the bay of Porto Ferro to the millenary rocks of Barumini, up to the suggestive alleys of Orgosolo and Mamoiada.
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The "Bendatura" Tradition
In Sardinia, bottled beer is served strictly "bendata" (bandaged). This involves wrapping a paper towel around the neck of the bottle to protect the beer from impurities, especially in windy locations. It is a small and simple trick, typical of Sardinia and all those places where the wind blows mercilessly. A paper handkerchief is rolled around the neck of the bottle, almost to "bandage" it, to protect the beer from any impurities. An automatic gesture in Sardinia, which often makes those who come from afar smile.
Food Pairings
Ichnusa Non Filtrata pairs perfectly with white meats, aged cheeses, and cured meats.
Traditional Sardinian Dishes
Here are some Sardinian dishes that complement the beer:
- Pane Civraxiu: Fragrant sliced and toasted bread.
- Su Prattu de Cassa: A dish originating from Barbagia, the heart of Sardinia.
- Fregola Sarda con Arselle: Sardinian fregola with clams.
- Maialetto Sardo (Porceddu): Roasted suckling pig.
- Malloreddus alla Carlofortina: Sardinian gnocchetti with fresh tuna and tomatoes.
- Sa Panada: A savory pie with various fillings.
- Lorighittas alla Campidanese: Traditional Sardinian pasta.
Filtered vs. Unfiltered Beer: Key Differences
The key difference between filtered and unfiltered beer lies in the presence of yeast and sediment.
Filtration Process
Filtration involves passing the beer through a filter to remove suspended particles, such as yeasts or other residues. This process makes the beer clearer and more transparent, but can also affect the taste and texture.
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Unfiltered Beer Characteristics
Unfiltered beer is bottled directly from fermentation without any filtration. This means that it still contains all the yeasts and natural sediments of fermentation. The result is a beer with a more intense and complex flavor, with a more opaque color and a creamier mouthfeel.
Health Considerations
Unfiltered beer is considered healthier than its filtered counterpart, as it still contains all the vitamins and minerals present in the fermentation sediments. Thanks to the presence of yeasts of the Saccharomyces strain, unfiltered beer has several benefits. In fact, these microorganisms are an excellent cure-all for our intestinal microbial flora. Furthermore, unfiltered beer contains aromatic compounds called polyphenols that perform an antioxidant action for our body, counteracting cellular aging and oxidation phenomena.
Cold Filtered Beer
Cold filtration is a process through which we try to eliminate from the final product all the impurities that could compromise the taste and quality of the beer itself. This is done using special filters capable of retaining the larger particles, which are then eliminated. The cold filtered beer has a longer shelf life than the unfiltered one, keeping all its organoleptic characteristics intact for a longer period. Furthermore, filtration allows us to obtain a clearer and more crystalline beer, which is aesthetically more pleasing.
Serving Suggestions
To properly serve unfiltered beer, it is important to keep it at the right temperature. Generally, it is recommended to serve it between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius, to preserve its full and intense taste. Once the bottle or keg is opened, it must be poured slowly into an inclined glass, to avoid forming too much foam. The foam is an important element of unfiltered beer: it contains part of the aromas of the drink and helps to preserve its flavor over time.
Caloric Content and Alcohol Level
The caloric content and alcohol level depend on the specific beer. On average, an unfiltered beer of 33 cl contains about 150-200 calories. The alcohol content generally varies between 4% and 8%.
Why Unfiltered Beer Can Be More Expensive
The production of unfiltered beer requires more time and attention compared to the production of filtered beers. Also, due to the lack of filters, unfiltered beer has a shorter life than its filtered counterparts. Due to the presence of sediments and yeasts in the final drink, unfiltered beer is rich in B vitamins and proteins that are beneficial to health.
Styles of Unfiltered Beer
There are many styles of unfiltered beer, including:
- Hefeweizen: A German wheat beer produced with yeast that remains in the bottle or keg, resulting in an opaque beer with a fruity and spicy flavor.
- Belgian Witbier: A beer produced using wheat malt, coriander, and orange peel.
- NEIPA (New England IPA): A beer with a hazy appearance and a flavor full of tropical fruit due to the use of aromatic hops.