Now it’s more than a year that me and my wife moved to Martigny, Switzerland. Although if I’m part Swiss I have never lived in Switzerland before this experience and I love it!
My wife is American and she has a bunch of references, way more than me, so if you want to take a look at her CS profile, here it is:
https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/heather-shannon

Why we moved here? Not talking about that I’m half Swiss and this place is really beautiful, two years ago I got a job as Lead brewer at the great brewery White Frontier, and now I’m the Head Brewer there. So yes, one of my passions is beers, good beers.

A bit of my story:
I was born and raised in Firenze by an "open -minded"/traveler family. I always travelled with my family since I was a kid and we host many people at our house during the years. It has been normal in my house to speak different languages, to eat "different" food and to talk about different cultures. The term "different" never really existed in my childhood or existence, but more the concept of curiosity and excitement for everything that is "not common".

Tasting traditional foreigner cuisine and beverages every day of my life brought me to be interested in this huge and fascinating world. I wanted to know more, and for that reason I started traveling alone and studying Science and Food Technology at the University of Florence. Beer and brewing are always been my biggest passion.
During the studies I oriented my focus directly on that topic, obtaining a Bachelor Degree and a Master Degree in Science and Food Technology with a brewing specialization.
Combining my two passion (brewing and traveling) and with a dream - to became the best brewer in the world - I started working in different cities and countries, to find my way in this beautiful world.

After my first experience in Parma I moved to the Highlands in Scotland, to learn from one of the best UK brewery. There I learned how beer and brewing (fermentations really) has always been part of the human evolution, creating communities, traditions, and changing minds. I learned how the use of herbs and wild plants has always been part of our societies, permitting people to be healed in the body, the mind and the spirit.

I came back in Italy after a year in Scotland and a 6 months experience in the Denali Park in Alaska, where I was working as a brewer. I started my own project (https://www.instagram.com/cantinaerrante/) where I tried to put in practice all the things I learned in my travels. But, after four years, and having created one of the most innovative beer project in Italy I have had the pleasure to meet my other half and now wife. That is why I’m December 2021 I quit my job, left my hometown and I have flown to the United States to stay with her. She just complete me.

At the moment I'm consulting for breweries (and other kind of food producing companies) and I'm writing for my “blog” named A Piedi Nudi Sui Pruni, that means literally “barefoot on thorns”; where I talk about brewing, fermentations, and other stuff that I’m interested in.
IG - https://www.instagram.com/_apiedinudisuipruni_/
Website - www.apiedinudisuipruni.com

Apart from my professional and academic evolution, my life has also been profoundly changed by my interests in books, philosophy and meditation practice. All of this brought me to a daily growing practice with the intent of a gradual spiritual evolution.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Years ago I create my profile, but I've never had the opportunity to use it. After using Blablacar frequently for years (where I became an Ambassador - check here, https://www.blablacar.it/user/show/60f69380-2df4-11e4-a000-00026956857c) and having a great experience with it, and thanks to my fiancè that tell me how great is this platform and the people that she met in her trips, I'm excited to try this experience!
At the moment I'm traveling, but since that I have a house in Firenze (Italy), as soon as I'll be back home I want to host people too.

Interests

• culture
• books
• meditation
• traveling
• hiking
• martial arts
• philosophy
• eating
• food
• spirituality
• deep conversations
• foraging
• beer brewing
• cooking and baking
• football soccer

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen music all the time but I don’t have a favorite genre of music. I’m not really a movie maniac either, I don’t even have a tv in my house. Books yes, I can talk about them. I can pass an entire day reading and I love to read multiples books of different topics at the same time. From brewing, to fermenting, to philosophy etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went for a 10days silence Vipassana retreat in Pohkara (Nepal) at the foothills of the Himalayas. Not easy hahaha

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share all my years of experience in the world of fermentations and cooking - everything has to do with food. I love to have deep/existential discussions .

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can offer a good Italian (or other kind of cuisine) dinner and an open heart to listen.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Scotland, Switzerland, United States