Do the Italians drink beer?
 

I'm not much of a wine drinker. I do love the dark beers of Germany. Do the Italians drink beer? We'll be in all the major cities of Italy as well as some smaller ones. Should I expect to find it served in their restaurants?
Thanks!

Yes, they drink beer although you may not find it on the menu in every restaurant.

Jean, what is their beer like? Is it like the beers of Germany or more fruity like Belgium beer? Do they brew their own, or is it all imported?

The only Italian beer I can remember trying was Peroni, which was a fairly light lager...pretty much like Heineken. I saw Amstel offered often. I think you could usually get beer, but not usually much variety. at elast that was my impression, but then we mostly drank wine...

Favorite Italian beer is "Super Baladin", brewed by Birrifico Le Baladin (Piozzo, IT), 8% ABV. Check at your "better" beer purveyor.

As china_cat says Peroni is seen a lot and I quite like (I buy it here in the UK as well). I don't ever remember not being able to get a beer when I wanted one in Italy, and we too have been to some very small towns and villages.

I always drink beer in Italy. The local brands of Peroni and Moretti are fine, but you can usually get Carlsberg, Heinekin,Amstel,and others.