Malta 0 v England 4
World Cup Qualifying, European Group F
Friday 1 September 2017
Twitter @ball_sup
23 Maltese Beer Ticks (although see below for definition small print)
My 139th England away game.
The Editor of The Death Gazette has organised the half time show. Some announcement about Diana, Princess of Wales, 20 years ago today, loved by all British people, blah, blah, blah. Then straight into Candle In The Wind. Whaaaat?
It's 22 blokes kicking a bag of wind around. When did football become funereal? Surely, there's enough bollocks going on that we can just enjoy the football? I don't go out to be reminded of death virtually every fucking game. It's all too catholic.
It was tough going for England at times. But, that is the nature of the beast. Essentially, we've scored a lot at the end. Self deprecating humour & chants. I no likee. “We're fucking shit…” etc. It's better to just BOO. At least we'll know where you stand. Each to his/her own. You've paid your money. You do what you like. In the main though, you've come to support England. May as well give it a go.
What do you want? A beer made by a Malteser in Italy? Or a beer made by an Italian on Malta? That is the current Beer Tickers Dilemma. I'll come to Maltese Industrial Beer made by Farsons in due course. Put that to one side for the time being. In my opinion, you're left four handed.
Phoenix Raw - Italian on Malta
Stretta - Malteser brewing in Italy
Lord Chambray - Gozo ffs
The Brew - Sliema BrewPub
Phoenix Raw
http://www.thephoenixrawbeer.com
The guy was very helpful in answering my emails about availability, etc. I witnessed four different bottles. There was rumour of keg in Vino’s Cafe Bar in Valletta. But, they'd got some construction going on bang outside. And, he couldn't open until the cement mixer had cleared off for the day. By when, we were long gone.
http://www.vinoscafebar.com
All four bottles were on in Pastry Park, Sliema. Essentially an upmarket bakery. High end, mucked about with coffee. And, those bottles. Very welcoming.
Phoenix Raw, Blonde, Floral Ale, bottle at 4.7%.
www.thepastrypark.com
Similarly, all four bottles on in I Due Sardi, a simple, rustic Pizzeria in St Paul's Bay.
Phoenix Raw, Rust, Rabat Ale from a bottle at 3.9%.
Phoenix Raw, Tar, Robust Porter from a bottle at 5.1%
Just a couple of bottles on in Trattoria Cardini, Sliema
Phoenix Raw, Rubin, Double Ale, bottle at 6.5%.
I now pronounce that Blonde the best of the four Phoenix Raw beers. Floral notes. Into Jelly Baby sweet. Unfiltered, chewy, lovely beer.
Stretta
www.strettacraftbeer.com
I saw one, in a bottle with my own eyes. There was rumour of a Mosaic on Keg in Wild Honey, Valletta. Fella showed me the empty keg. Fucking closest I got to it.
Therefore, I had the one bottle in The Hole In The Wall, Sliema. All bottles in there. Hipster beards. Very welcoming though.
www.holeinthewall.com.mt
Stretta, India Pale Ale No. 1, bottle at 6.3%.
Lord Chambray
www.lordchambray.com.mt
Apologies dear reader. I have no idea whether there are strong regional rivalries between the different Maltese islands. One of which is of course called Malta. Lord Chambray are a real deal Craft Brewery. A nice range. Everyone bursting with flavour. A serious manufacturing & distribution operation. And a superb little taphouse at the Brewery. That'll be the TapHouse on the island of GOZO. Sorry guys. For hunting & ticking purposes I'm gonna call you a Maltese Brewery. I counted eight Lord Chambray beers. And, I ticked them all.
67 Kapitali, Valletta
www.67kapitali.com
That is a superb place. My top beer recommendation in Malta. Four Lord Chambray on keg. Most of the rest of the LC range in bottles. And, all the Phoenix Raw in bottles. Plus a couple of International “guest kegs”. And a good International can & bottle list. If you've only got one day …..
Very, very welcoming. The owner didn't mind me asking about other places to try. More of a cafe feel, than a pub.
Lord Chambray, Psy-Kolsch on keg at 4.9%
Lord Chambray, Blue Lagoon, Witbier on keg at 5%
Lord Chambray, Special Bitter on keg at 3.8%
Lord Chambray, Flinders Rose (Gose) from a bottle at 4.2%
Cheeky Monkey, Qawra
www.cheekymonkeymalta.com
A brash n breezy. But, clean & modern pub on the seafront. A small range of Lord Chambray bottles.
Lord Chambray, Golden Bay, Blonde Ale from a bottle at 5.2%
Lord Chambray Brewery, Mgarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo
A Must Do.
Effectively on the main bus routes between the ferry & Victoria. But, get there. Soon. By trains, planes or automobiles if needs be. That little Taproom. And the haircuts of the staff. Wouldn't be out of place in Bermondsey or Hackney. Small bar frontage. Couple of tables. They'd got four taps. Only two on. And a full range of their bottles.
Lord Chambray, San Blas, English IPA from a bottle at 5.7%
Lord Chambray, Fungus Rock, Stout from a bottle at 5.5%
And. FFS.
Lord Chambray, WINTER ALE, from a bottle at 8 (Eight) %.
There wasn't really a dud. I found the Flinders Rose (Gose) underwhelming. The 8% Winter Ale was bang on. Thick, spicy, almost Christmas Pud. The Blue Lagoon Wit was complex. Sour into banana into herb finish. But, I pronounce that Golden Bay, Blonde the best of the Lord Chambray range. Thick. Opaque. Chewy. And the sweetness was spot on.
The Brew, Sliema
www.thebrew.com.mt
Brewpub on Sliema waterfront. I forgot to count. Maybe six.
The Brew, Golden Ale on keg at 6%
The Brew, Amber Ale on keg at 5.4%
I have to say. Those two surprised me. Both full of flavour (the Golden shaved it). Nice. Serious beers.
Malta's Industrial Brewer is Simonds Farsons Cisk.
www.farsons.com
Cisk lager is ubiquitous on Malta. It fits the climate. Cold, fizzy, refreshing. It ain't awful. Because it ain't owt. No real taste going on to make you shiver. It's just … safe. I'll give fair play to Farsons. They do give other stuff a go. And. I'll say. If you can't stomach the Cisk Lager. And you have a preferred style that is in the Farsons range. Then, sort of, you could do worse.
Farsons, Cisk Lager at 4.2% from various deployment devices, keg, tins, bottles.
Farsons, Cisk Excel, Lo Carb variant at 4.2%.
Farsons, Double Red, Strong Ale from a bottle at 6.8%.
Farsons, India Pale Ale from a bottle at 5.7%.
Farsons, Blue Label, Original Amber Ale from a bottle at 4.7%.
Farsons, Hopleaf Pale Ale from a bottle at 3.8%.
Farsons, Lacto Milk Stout from a bottle at 3.8%.
That Double Red, Strong Ale at 6.8% is the best of the Farsons bunch. Malt. Toffee. A bit of bite.
My 23 Maltese ticks completed by 1565 Victory Lager from a tin at 4.5%.
Standout Beer Of The Trip
Lord Chambray, Golden Bay, Blonde.
527/1109
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