Birrificio Barley opened its doors in 2006 in Southern Sardinia to offer something more special than mass-market lager (consumption of beer there is the highest in Italy). The microbrewery, formed by skilfull home brewer Nicola Perra and partner, Isidoro Mascia, aimed to create excellent ales that would lead the craft-beer trend and be served at restaurants with the same respect as wine. The recipes created by Nicola quickly gained a great reputation and were used as reference in official sommeliers' courses.