Farsons is synonymous with the island’s brewing history. Its story incorporates surprising threads from Malta’s past – from the Knights of Malta to Pope Pius IX, from the arrival of the British to social unrest in 1919 through some unknown facts during the Second World War, from brewing engineering and architecture to elegance in building of the brewery. The brewery’s well-known brands are now intertwined with the nation’s identity.

It is also the tale of three entrepreneurial and tenacious families:

• The Simonds, a family of brewers in England whose ales were beloved by British Armed Forces and who, in 1875, began importing Simonds Hopleaf Ale for distribution locally and across the Mediterranean. 
• The Farrugias, originally a merchant shipping family, in 1892 switched to milling flour. When during the 1919 Sette Giunio riots, their mill gets burnt down, the youngest of the four brothers, Lewis, designs and builds part of the destroyed edifice into a gas-producing facility, selling carbon dioxide gas to Simonds who are bottling imported beer by then. Realising the potential of brewing, Lewis designed and built the rest of the site into a brewery. The Farrugia brewery launched the first all-Maltese ale in April 1928, the Farsons Pale Ale. This forced Simonds to approach Farsons and propose a merger.
• The Sciclunas, established the first Maltese bank in 1830, previously having made their fortune importing grain and sugar. While financing a new brewery with the intent of brewing lager beers, the project suffered a tragic incident, forcing the owner to surrender and handing over the incomplete brewery to Sciclunas Bank. So, the banker found himself running a brewery, managing to finish the project by August of 1929 with brewing ambitions.

In 1948, Simonds Farsons and CISK consolidated their operations into a trail-blazing business partnership. Together they finalised the monumental modernist brewery in Mrieħel, an upscale Art Deco building, with an imposing façade and tower-like brewhouse, which remains iconic today. Two years later, they introduced the bittersweet aromatic drink, Kinnie, to the market. Its unique bespoke recipe has remained the best-kept secret of its everlasting national popularity.

During the Farsons Brewery Experience, you’ll explore this amazing building and see a safe famously rescued from the riots in 1919 by the bold Farrguia housemaid, the quirky Scarab Scammell and the shiny copper vessels where the magic happened. You’ll also discover why and how the Farsons Brewery grew and learn how the ingredients are transformed into liquid gold during the whole brewing process from grain to glass. Then it’s time to treat the tastebuds at The Cisk Tap – the world’s first CISK-themed bar – with great panoramic views and a chilled pint of CISK or a tasting tray of 5 different beers.*  (*Both options are included in the ticket price).

Last but not least, a visit to The Brewhouse is also a great opportunity to browse an exclusive range of CISK and Kinnie clothing, collectables and other merchandise, at the Farsons Brandstore in the reception area to spread the love across the island.

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