BEER&FOOD ATTRACTION 2026, THE 11TH EDITION OPENS AT RIMINI EXPO CENTRE

·       Integration between the brewing and distilling worlds is growing

·       Mixology Attraction makes its debut between smart bars, cocktails in a barrel and a boom in Low & No Alcohol

·       The cutting of the ribbon with institutions and Italgrob, Assobirra, Unionbirrai, FIPE and FIC leaders. Minister Locatelli at the FIC “Special Children” contest, tomorrow Minister Lollobrigida 

·       Until 17^th February, the out-of-home event in 14 halls with over 600 exhibitors from 16 countries and 130 buyers from 45 nations

·       The Lorenzo Cagnoni Awards crown the most innovative start-ups: digital platforms for real-time sales and consumption monitoring and to reduce waste, sustainability also on the podium

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Rimini, 15^th February 2026 – The 11^th edition of Beer&Food Attraction, Italian Exhibition Group’s B2B event that, until 17^th February, will bring the out-of-home world to the Riviera, was inaugurated this morning at Rimini Expo Centre. A system of supply chains, occupying 14 halls, that includes over 600 exhibitors from 16 countries and 130 international buyers from 45 nations - selected through the Italian Exhibition Group and Italian Trade Agency’s network - while the contemporary bar wins space and centrality with the debut of Mixology Attraction and the consequent 39% growth of the mixology area.

The opening ceremony - introduced by greetings from Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, president of Italian Exhibition Group, Roberta Frisoni, Emilia-Romagna’s Regional Councillor for Tourism, Commerce and Sport, and Mattia Morolli, Rimini Municipality’s Councillor for Public Works - was attended by Antonio Portaccio, president of Italgrob, Federico Sannella, president of Assobirra, Vittorio Ferraris, president of Unionbirrai, Rocco Pozzulo, president of the Italian Chefs Federation, and Aldo Mario Cursano, national deputy vice-president of FIPE - Italian Federation of Public Enterprises.Shortly afterwards, still at the Expo, the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, attended the Italian Chefs Federation’s Italian Cuisine Championships, confirming her interest in the “Special Boys” contest. The speech by the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, will also be held in the FIC Arena tomorrow.

LORENZO CAGNONI AWARDS: THE INNOVATION PODIUM

The cutting of the ribbon was followed by the Lorenzo Cagnoni Awards 2026 prize-giving ceremony - awards that recognise the most innovative solutions for the Out of Home sector, organised in partnership with ANGI - National Association of Young Innovators and the Italian Trade Agency. The initiative, aimed both at start-ups - whose pioneering vision and disruptive approach are a driving forces of innovation - and at all exhibiting companies committed to the development of cutting-edge products and services, thus contributing to the Food & Beverage sector’s progress. In reference to start-ups, first place went to Crave Srl and its data intelligence for foodservice: a digital platform that can read data in real time to help venues and suppliers understand what to sell, when and how much to order, thereby reducing waste. Second place went to Mountain's Goat GmbH, a project that aims to make beverage more sustainable by working on production processes with low environmental impact and on more circular and responsible models. The third step of the podium was filled by Voucherly Srl, which transforms classic loyalty programmes into smart digital tools able to bring new customers into the venues and gain their loyalty with targeted and measurable promotions.

Here are the most innovative exhibiting companies awarded, divided by category. Beer category: FKV Srl (Milestone); Spirits: recognition to Rossi d'Angera Distillatori; Soft Drinks, Low & No Alcohol: ALCOL-SEELE; Food: victory for Il Giardino delle Luppole; Technology: Maselli Misure; Service & Digital Innovation: recognition to Made in App.

HYBRID MODELS, DESIGN AND NO-ALCOHOL: THE BAR INDUSTRY ENTERS A NEW ERA

A clear message emerges from the halls: the bar is no longer just a place for consumption, but a system that must be smart and sustainable. Integration between the beer and distillation worlds is growing: breweries that are expanding their offer with their own spirits, distillates obtained from brewery bases, proposals that combine craft culture and mixology. Ready-to-drink cocktails in barrels are multiplying, designed for high-turnover venues: standardised quality, reduced service times, greater cost control. And then the design of experience: new glasses conceived to enhance aromas and textures, and advanced tapping systems. At the same time, low and no alcohol is making a leap in maturity: no longer simple alternatives, but products with their own aromatic identity. Botanics, infusions, citrus fruits, light fermentations: responsible consumption becomes a style choice.

BETWEEN COCKTAIL SHOWS, MARKET ANALYSES AND MAJOR COMPETITIONS

One of the most eagerly awaited areas is the Mixology Circus, where nine top cocktail bars alternate in a dynamic and different format each day. New for 2026 are three types of bar - Hip Urban, Tiki and Luxury Hotel - three different ways of interpreting contemporary drinking: from metropolitan and creative cocktails to exotic atmospheres and the elegance of high-end hotels.

This afternoon, the Beer&Tech Arena is hosting the awards ceremony of the 21^st Unionbirrai Beer of the Year Award: an edition with symbolic value since 2026 is the year in which Italian craft beer celebrates 30 years. A generational transition that, reflected in the numbers - 212 breweries and 1,746 beers competing - makes the ceremony even more significant.

Beer&Food Attraction is also a place to understand the economic scenarios that are affecting out-of-home.  Tomorrow, Monday 16^th February at 10.30 in the Neri Room, Italgrob’s 15^th International Horeca Meeting will be hosting the Horeca Congress, a moment of discussion on the dynamics that are redesigning the market. At the same time, in the Beer&Tech Arena (Hall D3), Circana’s analysis will offer a precise snapshot of what happened in 2025 and the prospects that await beer and foodservice in 2026.

Until 17^th February, the FIC Arena will be hosting the Italian Cuisine Championships and the Burger Battle Italia, organised in collaboration with Lantmännen Unibake.

PRESS CONTACT ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP:
Head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali; press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pierfrancesco Bellini; press office coordinator: Luca Paganin; international press office coordinator: Silvia Giorgi; press office specialist: Nicoletta Evangelisti, Mirko Malgieri; media@iegexpo.it

MEDIA AGENCY BEER&FOOD ATTRACTION - BBTECH EXPO:
Mind the Pop - Martina Vacca: martina@mindthepop.it, mob. +39 339 748 5994; Fabrizio Raimondi: fabrizio@mindthepop.it, mob. +39 335 389 848; Stefano Chiossi: stefano@mindthepop.it, mob. + 39 388 739 4358.