Brewery Experience Self Guided Tour Including Beer Tasting

Exploring Maltese culture often means indulging in its delicious cuisine or visiting historic sites, but for beer lovers, a visit to The Brewhouse at the historic Farsons brewery in Birkirkara offers a unique glimpse into Malta’s brewing heritage. This self-guided experience is perfect for those who prefer to explore at their own pace while still enjoying some fantastic features like beer tasting and panoramic views.

What makes this tour stand out? We love the opportunity to explore Maltese brewing history through beautifully restored spaces, the chance to sample local beers—namely Cisk—at a rooftop bar with stunning views, and the flexibility of a self-guided approach. However, if you’re expecting a guided experience complete with live commentary, that’s not part of this package. Still, for its price point and focus on authentic, local flavors, it’s a solid choice for many travelers.

This experience is ideal for history enthusiasts, beer aficionados, or travelers seeking a relaxed, educational activity without disrupting their sightseeing schedule. If you’re after a casual, immersive peek into Malta’s brewing roots, this tour ticks many boxes.

Good To Know

• Self-guided format offers flexibility and personal pacing
• Includes tasting of five local beers for adults over 17
• Beautiful rooftop bar with panoramic views of Malta’s skyline
• Richly restored historic spaces tell Malta’s brewing story
• Affordable price point delivers good value for the experience
• Audio guides available in six languages for added context

A Closer Look at the Brewery Tour Experience

What is the Brewery Self-Guided Tour About?

This tour transforms Farsons’ historic brewery in Birkirkara into The Brewhouse, a lively, modern hub that beautifully combines the past with contemporary craft. Rather than a guided tour, you receive a self-guided experience with an audio guide in multiple languages, allowing you to explore at your own convenience.

The restored spaces—original malt stores, copper brewing tanks, and more—tell stories of Maltese brewing traditions. You’ll get to see the equipment and artefacts that speak of the industry’s evolution and hear about the vision of three entrepreneurial families who played pivotal roles. It’s like stepping into Malta’s beer history without the crowds or rush.

The Itinerary Breakdown

Start at The Brewhouse Malta: Upon arrival, you’re greeted at the reception, where staff will direct you to begin your exploration. The main attraction is the chance to walk through beautifully preserved brewery spaces, which include areas dedicated to ingredients, brewing processes, and showcasing vintage brewing machinery.

Audio Guide and Self-Paced Exploration: The experience includes an audio guide available in six languages—English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish—allowing you to learn as you wander. You can spend as little or as long as you want, typically around 1.5 hours, but there’s no rush to leave the complex.

Beer Sampling at The Cisk Tap: The highlight for many is the rooftop bar, The Cisk Tap, where you’ll enjoy five different beers of 100 mL each. While some travelers mention that the beers themselves are not particularly remarkable, the setting more than makes up for it. You’ll love the stunning views of the Maltese skyline and the lively atmosphere.

Shopping and Food: Post-sampling, you can browse the Farsons Brandstore for souvenirs—vintage-inspired merchandise and exclusive memorabilia are available. Food isn’t included, but there’s a variety of eateries within The Brewhouse offering snacks and meals if you want to turn your visit into a leisurely meal.

What Did Travelers Say?

A review from Lisa_H sums it up nicely: “This was an interesting self-guided tour about the history of beer and Cisk in Malta. The beer itself was nothing to write home about, but definitely a must-do for anyone who enjoys beer and likes to experience local beers in different places.” She appreciated the flexibility and the chance to explore Maltese brewing history at her own pace.

The Practicalities: What You Need to Know

Pricing and Value

At $17.96 per person, this experience offers a lot of value. It includes entry, an audio guide, and five beer samples, making it an affordable way to enjoy a bit of local flavor and history. Since there’s no guided tour cost, you get the flexibility of self-exploration combined with a relaxed sampling experience. The soft drink option for youths and children is a nice touch, especially with the soft drinks for those under 17.

Duration and Flexibility

The tour typically takes about 1.5 hours, but you’re free to stay longer if you wish. The complex is open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your visit. The self-guided nature means you can tailor your experience—spend more time at the rooftop bar, browse the shop, or explore the exhibits leisurely.

Accessibility and Group Size

With a maximum of 100 travelers, the experience doesn’t feel crowded, and most travelers will find it easy to navigate. It’s near public transportation, making it convenient to reach from different parts of Malta. If you’re traveling with children, they enter free but won’t receive samples, and under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Important Details

• Confirmations are quick, and bookings are made at least 17 days in advance on average.
• No live guide is provided, but the audio guide covers the key points.
• The tour is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What’s Missing?

If you’re expecting a guided tour with a guide explaining the process in person, this experience isn’t for you. Also, food and additional beverages aren’t included, but the onsite eateries cater to different tastes, and the rooftop bar is ideal for relaxing after your exploration.

Authentic Highlights from Reviews and the Experience

One traveler mentioned, “The beer itself was nothing to write home about,” but the stunning rooftop views and the chance to sample local Maltese beers made the experience worthwhile. Many appreciated the informative audio guide that made learning about Malta’s brewing industry easy and accessible.

The restored historic spaces are a highlight, providing a genuine sense of Malta’s brewing legacy without feeling commercialized or overly touristy. The souvenir shop offers a chance to take home a piece of Malta’s beer history, from vintage merchandise to exclusive memorabilia, which is a thoughtful touch.

Who Should Consider This Experience?

This tour is best suited for beer lovers eager to taste local brews and learn about Malta’s brewing history at their own pace. It’s also ideal for history buffs who enjoy exploring restored industrial spaces and discovering stories behind local industries. The casual, flexible nature makes it perfect for travelers who prefer independent exploration over guided group tours.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity that offers something different from Malta’s beaches and archaeological sites, this is a good choice. However, if your priority is a guided, narrated experience, or a food-inclusive tour, you might want to look elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Beer Tasting at The Brewhouse provides an engaging, relaxed way to connect with Malta’s brewing traditions. For the price, you’ll get a well-curated look into the historic brewery, combined with the chance to sample local beers while enjoying captivating views.

Whether you’re a dedicated beer enthusiast or a curious traveler wanting a break from more conventional sightseeing, this experience offers a nice blend of education, local flavor, and scenic enjoyment. The self-guided format works well, offering flexibility and comfort—particularly for those who prefer exploring at their own pace.

And while the beers might not blow your mind, the setting, the history, and the views make it a worthwhile addition to your Malta itinerary. It’s especially suitable for those who appreciate a good story, a relaxing atmosphere, and some authentic Maltese taste.

FAQ

Is this tour suitable for children?
Children under 12 can enter free when accompanied by an adult but do not receive beer samples. Soft drinks are included for kids and youths aged 12-17.

Can I visit the brewery any day?
Yes, the experience is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:00 PM, from February 2025 through June 2026.

Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, booking at least 17 days in advance is common, and tickets are confirmed instantly upon booking.

Is there a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided experience, but an audio guide is available in six languages to enrich your visit.

How long does the tour take?
The self-guided tour and sampling typically take around 1.5 hours, but you can stay as long as you like within opening hours.

What is included in the price?
Your ticket includes entry, an audio guide, five 100 mL beer samples, and a soft drink for younger guests.

Is food available at the brewery?
Food is not included, but there are eateries within The Brewhouse for snacks or meals if desired.

This Malta brewery experience offers a relaxed, informative look into local brewing tradition, topped with spectacular views and the chance to taste authentic beers. It’s a perfect blend of education, flavor, and scenery for those looking for a genuine Maltese adventure.