Putting the Malt into Malta at the Farsons Beer Festival.
Malta Harbor by morning sunlight by Eje Gustafsson | Flickr Creative Commons
With its vibrant blue waters, stunning walled citadels and secluded bays, the Maltese archipelago bursts with character. People come here for the cosmopolitan cafes, pulsating nightlife, energetic activities and baroque architecture – not to mention the delicious seafood and fascinating villages.
Exciting and colorful fiestas are an important part of life in Malta. This summer, the Farsons Great Beer Festival, which runs from July 26th to August 4th, offers one more reason to visit this delightful part of the Mediterranean.
The venue, Ta’Qali National Park, is on the outskirts of Attard in the center of the main island of Malta. It is much-visited by locals and tourists alike and even has its own amphitheater. Get directions. This 10-day celebration is free to attend, and is packed with great music, competitions, souvenir stands and food, as well as, of course, outstanding ale served at the various bars.
Guinness Malta by man pikin | Flickr Creative Commons
Farson’s is Malta’s number one brewery, so its beers, like Cisk and Hopleaf, feature prominently alongside familiar international names like Guinness, John Smith’s, Corona and Budweiser. Prefer ciders? There’s a good selection of popular ones here as well, along with a food court offering dishes from around the world to go with your beer.
Since 1981, this event has grown considerably in terms of size, attendance, number and variety of musical offerings, and the range of beers on offer. It grows more popular each year, both with the locals and those who are just visiting – in fact, it’s become Malta’s biggest outdoor event.
Farsons Beer Festival is as much about showcasing top Maltese musical talent as it is about drinking ale. The event is increasingly getting a name for itself as launchpad for up and coming artists, and giving them a chance to perform in front of a large and appreciative audience.
Each day of the fiesta offers different activities and entertainment from 8pm onwards, including the top local bands and singers who perform live shows on two open air stages – one main performance area and a rock stage.
This year’s line-up includes a live Elvis tribute show and band, the Lavent de Bruijn blues band, a brass band, funk and reggae sounds, and a lot more besides. In all, 50 live performances are scheduled, to include international as well as home-grown performers. A full programme is available online.
Don’t worry if you’re not staying near the venue. A cheap return shuttle service runs between the festival site and Malta’s historic capital Valletta and the popular coastal village of Bugibba. Alternatively, if you’re hiring a car, parking is free.
This open-air festival can be enjoyed by beer (or soft drinks) and music lovers of all ages and tastes. Make it a family occasion, or have a great night out with your friends, but make it a part of your holiday to this wonderful, sun-drenched Mediterranean holiday hot spot in 2013. If you are thinking about booking a holiday to Malta, you may want to check out First Choice, who has a number of package deals on offer this summer.