Charnees: "...in my experience, beer in Italy is pretty poor".

OK, I accept that is your experience, but for anyone thinking of travelling to Italy and having a beer or two while there, I feel compelled to put the record straight. I have quaffed my way around the pubs and beer-halls of UK, Belgium and Germany, and have attended the Munich Oktoberfest. My experience of Italian beer (admittedly limited to the north: Camogli, Lucca, Florence, Venice, Verona, Desenzano, Garda, Bassano, etc) was anything but poor. The variety of styles on offer was good, and I especially rate the Rosso (red) beers.