Buying Beer In Malta: What Shoppers Need To Know

Malta has a thriving beer market, with a range of local and imported beers available for purchase. Maltese companies have been mass-producing beers since the 1920s, with brands like Cisk and Farsons leading the market. Today, there are many craft breweries across Malta, offering unique beers that win prizes regularly. The price of beer in Malta is relatively affordable, with a retail price range between €1.22 and €2.52 per kilogram. You can buy beer from supermarkets, local shops, and even online with free delivery over a certain amount. So, if you're looking to buy beer in Malta, you'll have plenty of options to choose from!

Beer prices in Malta

Retail Prices

Online retailers like Spades Wines & Spirits and Farsonsdirect offer a wide range of beer options with varying prices. For example, Spades offers:

• San Miguel Alhambra Reserva 33cl - €2.25
• Duvel Augustijn Blond 33cl - €2.99
• Budweiser 50cl can (pack of 6) - €10.95
• Carlsberg 50cl can - €1.59
• Cisk Chill Lemon 33cl can (pack of 6) - €7.49

Farsonsdirect, on the other hand, provides options for purchasing beer in packs and cases, with prices like:

• Cisk Lager 50cl can (pack of 6) - €9.99
• Cisk Excel Low-Carbohydrate Lager 50cl can (pack of 6) - €9.10
• Cisk Lager 33cl glass bottle (case of 20) - €30.07
• Cisk Lager 50cl can (case of 24) - €24.89
• Carlsberg 50cl can (case of 24) - €29.76

On-Premise Prices

The cost of beer at restaurants, bars, and pubs in Malta can vary depending on the establishment and the brand of beer. While there isn't specific information on the price of beer at these locations, Malta is considered a moderately priced country for tourists, with relatively affordable food and accommodation options.

Local Markets

Local farmers' markets in Malta, such as the Ta' Qali Farmers' Market and the Birgu Farmers' Market, offer fresh produce at affordable prices. While there is no specific information on beer prices at these markets, they provide an opportunity to purchase local products at lower costs compared to restaurants or retailers.

Beer delivery in Malta

Beer delivery is available in Malta, with several companies offering free delivery on orders over €50. Beer Head, for example, offers free delivery on orders over €50, excluding Gozo. Similarly, The Beer Hop offers free delivery on orders over €50 to both Malta and Gozo. Farsonsdirect also offers free delivery on orders over €50, but this excludes any purchase of water products.

In addition to these beer delivery services, it is likely that local supermarkets in Malta will deliver beer as part of a grocery order. Lidl, Towers Supermarket, and InterSpar are some of the popular supermarkets in Malta that offer good prices and a wide range of products.

Popular Maltese beers

Malta has a thriving beer market, with a range of local and imported beers available to purchase. Here is a list of some of the most popular Maltese beers:

Cisk Lager

The most famous of all Maltese beers, Cisk Lager has won awards all over the world and is the go-to beer for locals and foreigners alike. Its golden colour and distinctive flavour are impossible to replicate—unless you happen to have Maltese church bells ringing and fishmongers selling their wares on the street as you drink it. You can buy Cisk in cans or glass bottles.

Farsons Blue Label

A classic Maltese beer that has garnered international acclaim, Farsons Blue Label is an amber-coloured, top-fermented ale. It is mixed with a special type of mild malt, which gives the beer its rich colour and smooth taste. Its velvety texture and subtle chocolate and caramel notes might even have you thinking you're eating chocolate.

Stretta Indian Pale Ale No. 1

This beer was created by local brewer John Borg Barthet, who perfected the recipe at home. It has since gained widespread recognition and praise, even making it to the top of the Maltese beers on the ratings website ratebeer.com.

Lord Chambray San Blas

Lord Chambray set up shop in Gozo after a €1 million investment a few years ago and has led the local beer movement. They chose to set up in Gozo because they say the water is better there. Their San Blas beer is a gloriously dry English IPA that has proven popular with the Maltese. Their "Golden Bay" and "Blue Lagoon" beers are also very tasty and very Maltese.

TAR Robust Porter

This beer comes from the team at Phoenix Raw Beer. It is their take on the flavour profile of a classic English Porter, with an added layer of flavour from crushed coffee beans. This beer also has a toffee aftertaste—which is intentional.

Hopleaf Pale Ale

The origins of the Hopleaf Pale Ale go back to the days of the British Empire. It pours with a straw colour and has a light hop resin and biscuity malt aroma. It is a little spicy and peppery, so perhaps avoid the topic of Brexit while you're drinking it.

Where to buy beer in Malta

Beer enthusiasts will be glad to know that Malta has a lot to offer when it comes to buying beer. The country has a rich history of beer brewing, dating back to the 1920s when Maltese companies began mass-producing beers. Today, you can find a variety of local and imported beers in Malta, available at supermarkets, local shops, and online retailers. Here are some places to consider when looking to purchase beer in Malta:

Supermarkets

Supermarkets in Malta offer a wide range of beer options, both local and imported. Lidl, Towers supermarket, and InterSpar are popular choices for beer shoppers. These stores often have good offers and competitive prices, making them a convenient and affordable option for purchasing beer.

Local Shops

While local shops may be slightly more expensive than supermarkets, they offer the convenience of being located close by. These shops typically stock a variety of beer options, including local favourites and imported brands.

Online Retailers

For those who prefer the convenience of shopping from home, there are several online retailers in Malta that specialise in beer. Farsonsdirect, for example, offers a large selection of beers, including lager, ales, stout, non-alcoholic beer, and craft beers. They provide free delivery for orders over a certain amount. Another popular option is Beer Head, a craft beer bottle shop that curates a selection of beers from around the world. They also offer free delivery for orders over €50.

Craft Breweries

In recent years, craft beer breweries have been popping up all over Malta and Gozo. These breweries offer unique, locally brewed beers that are worth seeking out. Lord Chambray in Gozo, for example, has gained popularity for its dry English IPA. Strada Stretta in Valletta is another local favourite, known for its Indian Pale Ale.

Beer Distributors

For those looking to purchase beer in larger quantities, there are beer distributors in Malta that offer wholesale prices. Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, for instance, has been brewing award-winning beers for both the local market and export since the late 1920s.

Whether you're looking for a crisp lager, a craft IPA, or a non-alcoholic option, Malta has a variety of options for beer lovers. By exploring the local supermarkets, shops, and online retailers, you can discover a diverse range of beers to suit your taste and preferences.

History of beer in Malta

Malta has a rich history of beer brewing, which began in the 1920s with the establishment of various companies dedicated to producing Maltese drinks, including beer. The first brewery to be established on the island was Farsons, founded in 1928 in the town of Ħamrun, near the capital city of Valletta. The brewery was first known as Farsons, a contraction of Farrugia & Sons, and its first beer was Farsons Pale Ale, brewed to cater to the tastes of the British garrison and navy stationed in Malta at the time. In 1929, Farsons merged with the H.G. Simonds brewery from Reading, England, forming Simonds Farsons Ltd. This merger brought together Farsons' local knowledge and Simonds' experience in beer importing, with Simonds having established a beer importing business to supply British troops stationed in Malta and other parts of the Mediterranean in the 1880s.

Around the same time, the Marquis John Scicluna, whose family had established the first privately-owned local bank, opened the Malta Export Brewery, which was granted an exclusive license to brew Bavarian-style lagers under the names Cisk Pilsner and Cisk Munchener. This sparked a twenty-year rivalry between the two breweries, which ultimately merged in 1948 to form Simonds Farsons Cisk Ltd., further diversifying their product portfolio. Today, the company offers a range of lagers, ales, and stouts, including well-known brands such as Cisk Lager, Hopleaf Pale Ale, and Lacto Milk Stout.

Maltese beer has achieved international recognition, with local selections winning prestigious awards. The country's brewing history is deeply intertwined with its cultural influences, reflecting the marks left by various invaders throughout the centuries, including the British, who introduced the art of beer brewing to the island.

Frequently asked questions