Valle del Bidente takes its name from the river that flows through an area of sand, forests, and breathtaking scenery. It’s not as famous as Valmarecchia (immortalized by Leonardo da Vinci), but it’s incredibly magical, thanks to its tiny villages and winding roads that lead to pristine mountains like Monte Falco and Monte Fumaiolo—nestled in the heart of one of Italy’s most underrated regions: Romagna.
This introduction might sound like a summary from a well-known travel guide, and it easily could be—especially after I visited it a couple of times on my bikepacking trips.
The History
But let’s start with the name: as you’ll notice whenever you visit a place in the region, Romagnoli are deeply rooted in their traditions (Federico Fellini says it all). So when the three founders decided to establish a craft brewery, they chose to name it after Mazapegul—the traditional local troll—making it the heart of their logo and identity.
Everything began in a small brewery, where Gianluigi, Daniel, and Mattia brought their love for craft beer and local ingredients to life. Over time, the family pub became too small to accommodate the growing number of people coming to enjoy progressive brews and cultural events. So they moved to a larger location, where the expanded pub now offers guests a view of the brewery itself—where all the magic happens.
The Place
I visited this new location, where the vibe of a traditional pub perfectly matches the taste of craft beer.Every corner seems lifted from the British counterculture of the 1970s—with edgy photos, an old jukebox, and a unique color palette. On the other side, the drafting area is minimalistic, modern, and shiny, featuring a long line of taps pouring fresh beer every afternoon of the year.
From there, you can see the production line, where drinks are crafted with passion and professionalism: tanks, fermenters, and an Emma canning line make the production process visible and tangible to all visitors.
The Brewery Foundation
Mazapegul’s entire project stands on three pillars: quality, culture, and sustainability.
- Quality is the foundation of everything that comes out of the brewery: beer, food, events, photography, and design—each created with great attention to detail.
- Culture is present in every corner: reading events, book presentations, and art exhibitions are often hosted at the brewpub. Even the can designs and beer styles draw inspiration from history and culture.
- Sustainability is a strong commitment for the Mazapegul team:
- A solar energy system installed on the brewery's roof powers the entire production.
- A CO₂ recovery system stores the gas produced during fermentation and uses it throughout the production and canning process.
- NOMOQ’s digitally printed cans are fully recyclable and reduce transport and storage weight.
Mazapegul: another Valle del Bidente Highlight
Visiting Mazapegul is a treat—thanks to the wonderful people behind the project, the strong values present in every aspect of the experience, and the tasty beer, always poured fresh in the taproom.
Valle del Bidente has gained another highlight worth visiting, with or without a bike—though I think you know what I’d suggest.
