Sit down at almost any bar, beach kiosk or restaurant in Malta and you’ll see the familiar Cisk label. Malta’s best-known beer has been brewed on the islands for nearly a century, and ordering a cold Cisk is as much a part of a Maltese holiday as a plate of pastizzi.
What is Cisk?
Cisk Lager is a crisp, golden lager brewed in Malta by Simonds Farsons Cisk, usually just called Farsons. It’s light, refreshing and made for hot Mediterranean afternoons. Pronounce it “chisk”.
The story behind the name
The name comes from the Scicluna family, prominent Maltese bankers. Giuseppe Scicluna opened one of Malta’s first private banks in the 19th century, and the family became associated with introducing cheques to the islands. Locals nicknamed them iċ-Ċisk, a Maltese take on the word “cheque”.
In the late 1920s, the Scicluna family’s brewing venture launched a continental-style lager under the Cisk name. Later, Malta’s brewers merged to form Simonds Farsons Cisk. Around 1950 the company opened its brewery at Mrieħel, in the centre of Malta, where Cisk is still brewed today.
The Cisk range
Beyond the classic lager, the Cisk family includes several variations, which you may see on menus:
- Cisk Lager: the original and most popular
- Cisk Excel: a lighter, low-carb option
- Cisk Export: a fuller-bodied premium lager
- Cisk Chill: fruit-flavoured lagers, popular on the beach
Farsons also brews traditional ales such as Hopleaf and Blue Label, and makes Kinnie, Malta’s much-loved bittersweet orange and herb soft drink.
Where to enjoy a Cisk in Malta
- Waterfront bars in Sliema and St Julian’s, with views over the bays
- Beach kiosks at Golden Bay, Mellieħa Bay and Gozo’s Ramla Bay
- Village squares during festa season, from June to September, with brass bands and fireworks
- Strait Street in Valletta, for an evening drink in historic surroundings
- On the water: an evening sunset cruise is the perfect setting
What to eat with Cisk
A cold lager goes perfectly with Malta’s simple, hearty food:
- Pastizzi, flaky ricotta or pea pastries
- Ftira, Malta’s sourdough sandwich loaded with tuna, tomatoes, capers and olives
- Fried calamari or fresh fish in Marsaxlokk
- A traditional fenkata (rabbit feast) in a village restaurant
- Gozo’s ġbejniet, small peppered sheep’s cheeses
Festivals and events
Farsons has long been associated with Malta’s summer beer festival, traditionally held at Ta’ Qali with live music and food stalls. Check local listings for this year’s dates if you’re visiting in summer.
Prefer wine?
Malta and Gozo also produce excellent wines from local grapes such as Għirgentina and Ġellewża. Discover them on one of our wine tours in Malta.
Please enjoy responsibly. And if you’re planning a day of tastings, let a private driver do the driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malta's national beer?
Cisk Lager, brewed by Simonds Farsons Cisk at Mrieħel, is widely regarded as Malta's national beer and is available in bars and restaurants across the islands.
How do you pronounce Cisk?
Cisk is pronounced 'chisk'. In Maltese, the letter Ċ is pronounced like the 'ch' in 'church'.
Where does the name Cisk come from?
The name comes from the nickname iċ-Ċisk, a Maltese rendering of 'cheque', given to the Scicluna banking family, who launched the lager in the late 1920s.
Who makes Cisk?
Cisk is made by Simonds Farsons Cisk (Farsons), which also produces Hopleaf and Blue Label ales and the Maltese soft drink Kinnie.
