Peroni Nastro Azzurro Review: Taste, Ingredients, and Where to Buy It

3.7/5

A crisp, stylish Italian pale lager built for a warm evening and a plate of seafood or pizza. Light, dry, and easy to like.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro is Birra Peroni’s premium export lager, launched in 1963 and named for the Blue Riband won by the Italian ocean liner SS Rex in 1933. It is brewed in Rome and Bari and has become the international face of Peroni, sold well beyond the everyday Peroni lager it sits above.

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Peroni Nastro Azzurro Review: Taste, Ingredients, and Where to Buy It at a Glance

Style Italian Pale Lager (Pilsner)
ABV 5.1%
Brewery Birra Peroni, Rome and Bari, Italy
Price From $4.20 per bottle on Saucey
Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italian lager bottle
Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italian lager bottle

How It Tastes

Nastro Azzurro pours pale straw gold with a fine, tight white head. It is highly carbonated and medium-bodied, with a dry, never-too-sweet character built around Nostrano, an Italian hop variety Peroni uses specifically for this beer. There is a light bready malt note up front, but the finish is clean and crisp rather than lingering, which is exactly the point of an aperitivo-style lager.

A dry, refreshing taste, never too sweet on the palate, with a balanced aroma.

Body
2/5
Bitterness
2/5
Crispness
4/5
Refreshment
4/5
Our tasting scores, 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Pros
  • Dry, clean finish that suits food
  • Distinctive Nostrano hop character sets it apart from generic macro lagers
  • Widely available and reasonably priced
Cons
  • Light body means it does not hold up to heavy or rich dishes
  • Skunks in the clear-ish bottle if left in direct sun
Final score3.7 / 5

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FAQs

What is the ABV of Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

5.1% ABV.

Is Peroni Nastro Azzurro the same as regular Peroni?

No. Nastro Azzurro is Birra Peroni’s premium export lager, a separate recipe from the standard Peroni lager sold mainly in Italy.

What food pairs well with Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

Its crisp, dry profile works well with pizza, seafood and light Italian dishes.

Who owns Peroni?

Birra Peroni has been part of the Asahi Group since 2016, when Asahi bought it and several other European beer brands from AB InBev.

What kind of beer is Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

An Italian pale lager, closer to a pilsner in body, brewed with a portion of maize alongside barley malt for its light, crisp finish.

How many calories are in Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

About 137 calories per 330ml bottle, based on Peroni’s own figure of roughly 41.5 kcal per 100ml.

Does Peroni Nastro Azzurro have sugar or carbs?

About 3.2g of carbohydrates per 100ml and no sugar per Peroni’s own nutrition data. For fewer calories still, see our best non-alcoholic beers guide.

Is Peroni Nastro Azzurro gluten free?

The standard Nastro Azzurro is not, it is brewed with barley malt. Asahi does sell a separate Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free version in some markets, brewed differently to remove gluten.

How can I make Peroni Nastro Azzurro taste better?

Serve it very cold in a tall glass, or use it as the lager base in a Michelada for a spicier, savory twist.

What country is Peroni Nastro Azzurro from, and where is it brewed?

It is Italian, with Birra Peroni headquartered in Rome and brewing across several Italian sites. See our best Italian beers guide for more from the same country.

What is Peroni Nastro Azzurro made of, and how is it brewed?

Water, barley malt, Italian maize and hops, cold-fermented as a pale lager. The maize is what gives it a lighter body than an all-malt pilsner. See our best Italian beers guide for more Italian lagers.

What is a good alternative to Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

Our Birra Moretti review covers another classic Italian lager with a slightly maltier, less crisp profile.

How much is a 12-pack of Peroni Nastro Azzurro, and where can I buy it?

Saucey prices it from $4.20 per bottle rather than as a 12-pack. Check availability on Saucey.

How do I open Peroni Nastro Azzurro without a bottle opener?

The bottle-on-bottle trick, a lighter or a key all work on its standard pry-off cap. See our full guide to opening a beer without an opener.

What glass should I use for Peroni Nastro Azzurro?

A pilsner glass or the branded Peroni chalice both work, tall and narrow to preserve the carbonation. See our glassware guide for other styles.

Dan Smullen Beer is my life profile

Hi, I'm Dan, founder of BeerIsMyLife. I've been an avid homebrewer for over ten years, and beer is my true passion. I've traveled all over the world, visiting breweries, tasting beer, as well as making my own batches. I set up this blog to share that experience with you.