Malta: The Brewery Experience & Beer Tasting with Transfers

Beer in Malta has a real address. You’ll step into the 1950 Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara for a mostly self-guided, audio-led tour, then finish with a rooftop beer tasting. I like that the experience is timed and focused, about 3 hours total, so you get story plus samples without it turning into a long day.

Two things make it especially fun: the hour-long audio tour you can follow at your own tempo, and the chance to sample Farsons beers at the rooftop bar with panoramic views. One drawback to plan around is that the transfer schedule matters, since a late driver can cut into your time inside and at the bar, so give yourself a little buffer.

Key Points If You’re Short on Time

• Audio tour at your pace: You get a self-exploratory visit with a multi-language guide.
• Farsons and Cisk, explained simply: Learn how the brand and Maltese beer culture developed.
• Industrial brewery details: Original machinery like large copper kettles are still in place.
• Rooftop tasting: You’ll sample a pint or a tray, with views from the terrace bar.
• Transfers included: Pickup and drop-off cover major hotels and tourist areas.
• Souvenir shopping: There’s time for the Farsons Brandstore after the tasting.

Stepping Into the 1950 Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara

This tour is built around one place: the 1950 Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara. Even if you do not care about beer trivia, the setting has a built-in wow factor, because it is a working-style industrial building with preserved brewing equipment.

What I love most is how the tour makes the brewery feel like part of Malta, not just a factory you pass by. You learn how Maltese beer identity formed over time, including how outside influences shaped local habits, and then you get to taste the result at the end.

The 3-Hour Plan, From Pickup to Rooftop Pints

The experience runs about 3 hours, and it is designed so you do not have to manage transport yourself. You are picked up from major hotels and tourist areas and brought to the brewery, then returned afterward.

Once you arrive, the core of the visit is an hour-long self-exploratory audio tour. The audio guide walks you through the story “from grain to bottle,” and it stays in motion through the main parts of the brewery so you do not feel lost or stuck waiting.

Then you finish in the Cisk-themed rooftop bar. That is where you sample Farsons beers, either with a single pint of lager or with a tasting tray that lets you try several Farsons lager and ale brands. After the tasting, you can shop for souvenirs at the Farsons Brandstore.

The Audio Tour: Grain to Bottle, With Malta’s Beer Story

The audio guide is the heart of the experience. It is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, and Maltese, which matters because it lets you actually follow along instead of guessing.

You start with the brand story and the people behind it, including the theme of three entrepreneurial families who joined forces to become the islands’ leading brewers. From there, the tour explains how Malta’s beer culture changed, including the effect of the arrival of British Armed forces on drinking habits.

The tour also uses plain, practical explanations for how brewing works, which is helpful if you are not a beer nerd. You are not just hearing marketing, you are seeing the physical process and the reason the brewery is designed the way it is.

Inside the Brewhall: Restored Machinery You Can Still See

One of the most memorable parts is walking through the historical brewing hall. The building itself was designed with a single objective: to brew the world’s finest beer in the most efficient way possible. That design goal shows in how the space is laid out and how the equipment is displayed.

As you move through, you see original industrial machinery that has been pristinely restored and left in place. The highlight is the magnificent copper kettles, which have brewed millions of litres of brews for over 60 years.

I like this kind of detail because it gives the tasting more meaning. When you understand what the kettles are for and why the equipment matters, you taste more consciously, not just quickly.

You also pick up the “why” behind the brand’s consistency and award-winning reputation, plus how decades of innovation and brand loyalty helped Farsons beers become part of Maltese identity.

Rooftop Cisk-Themed Bar: Your Tastings With Panoramic Views

After the tour portion, you head to the rooftop bar for sampling. This is a smart flow, because you get the story first, then you taste while the atmosphere is lighter and more relaxed.

You choose one of two tasting options included in the tour: either a pint of lager or a tray for tasting several Farsons beer brands. That tasting tray format is especially good if you want variety, since you get a mix of lagers and ales rather than committing to just one style.

The rooftop terrace adds a big bonus: panoramic views of Malta. If you are visiting in hot weather, it also helps to have a change of pace after the indoor audio tour, and the terrace setting makes the final hour feel like an experience rather than a stop.

Transfers, Pickup Timing, and How to Avoid Stress

Transfers are included from and to major hotels and tourist areas, which is a big value for a beer-focused half-day. You save time finding the brewery on your own, and you do not need to coordinate a taxi after a few drinks.

That said, you should plan around timing. In real life, transfer services can run late, and because the tour includes a set 3-hour window, a delayed pickup can compress the time you spend at the brewery and rooftop bar.

My practical advice: plan for the possibility of a late driver by keeping your schedule flexible that day. If you have another activity right after the tour ends, try not to book something that requires a hard arrival time.

Price and Value: Is $39 Worth It?

At $39 per person for a 3-hour outing, the value depends on what you want.

It makes sense if you want four things together:

• Entrance to the brewery experience
• A multi-lingual audio guide
• Beer tasting (a pint or a tasting tray)
• Round-trip transfers from major hotels and tourist areas

If you were doing this on your own, you would likely spend more once you add admission, audio guide options, and transport. The included tasting is also where the money really shows, because you are not just paying to look at a building, you’re sampling multiple Farsons beers in a rooftop setting.

On the flip side, it might feel less worth it if you are staying extremely close to Birkirkara already and you plan to skip the tasting or do minimal audio time. In that case, the transfers and scheduled format are the portions you might not fully use.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a great fit if you:

• Like beer but prefer guided structure with freedom to move at your own pace
• Want a uniquely Maltese activity that is not just another museum stop
• Appreciate historical industrial spaces and real brewing equipment
• Want panoramic views without hunting for a viewpoint afterward
• Travel with friends who like beer tasting but do not all want the same pace

It is less ideal if you:

• Hate timed tours or worry about missing return windows
• Want food included, because food is not part of the package
• Are sensitive to schedule changes caused by pickup delays

Should You Book the Brewery Experience & Beer Tasting Tour?

Book it if you want a smooth, beer-focused 3-hour experience that combines a structured audio tour with tasting at the end, plus transfers included. The restored machinery, especially the copper kettles, gives the whole thing credibility, and the rooftop bar turns the final tastings into a view-based reward.

Skip it or reconsider if you cannot handle the risk of a late transfer compressing your schedule, or if you only want a quick taste with no interest in the story side. For most beer lovers and first-timers to Malta, this is one of the more practical ways to experience Farsons and Cisk in a way that actually connects what you see to what you drink.

FAQ

How long is the Malta Brewery Experience & Beer Tasting tour?

It lasts 3 hours in total.

Is transport included?

Yes. The tour includes transport from and to major hotels and tourist areas.

What does the tour include besides the brewery entrance?

You get a multi-lingual audio tour and a beer sampling at the rooftop bar, either a pint of lager or a tasting tray of various Farsons lagers and ales.

What beer tasting options are included?

The included options are either a pint of lager or a tasting tray so you can sample several Farsons beer brands.

Do I get food on this tour?

No, food is not included.

What languages is the audio guide available in?

The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, and Maltese.

Is there a host or greeter?

Yes, the host or greeter is listed as English.

Are extra drinks included?

Extra drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. Reserve now and pay later is available, so you can book your spot and pay nothing today.