Acting as a way to unwind after a long day’s work, a cold beer is a great way to relax the senses (when consumed responsibly). Beer has become an important factor in Malta’s identity.

The bright sun (which is present in Malta for 300 days a year) produces yellow fields which in turn, produces the yellow-golden beer. 

The illustration takes us back to a time where Malta produced its own wheat. Unfortunately, this is not the case nowadays due to the limited agricultural land on the islands. However, even though Malta doesn’t produce its own wheat, local beer has always been brewed in the same, traditional manner – Maltese and full of passion.

Maltese beer is considered to be some of the best beer in the world, and with good reason. For this reason, we couldn’t resist including local beer in our Malta in a Nutshell series. The yellow beer can has become instantly recognizable as simply ‘Maltese’. 

Upon creating the short-film titled ‘Malta’s Beer’, we stumbled upon Grezzju, a retired farmer with a lust for life. “Kien zmien ieħor” (“They were different times”), he exclaims when explaining how his life was as a child. Day in and day out, Grezzju helped his

father on their fields where his passion was (and still is) growing potatoes and wheat. “Live life the way you want to, as life is short, my friend,” he says as he gives light into life in Malta during the 60s. 

Unfortunately, farming is an under-appreciated form of work. Farmers don’t have ‘days off’ and Sundays are often the most strenuous days of the week due to the Pittkalija (farmer’s market), which simply can’t

be missed. Next time you see a fresh fruit and vegetable vendor driving around, think about the work that went into that produce. 

Locally crafter lagers and beers often win some of the largest international awards, which just goes to show that a small place can produce big flavour. Beer has become a local treasure, and it doesn’t seem like it’s slowing down any time soon.

The beauty in simplicity of this art is expressed through our ‘Malta’s Beer’ print. This piece will light up your space thanks to the bright and inviting colours symbolising one of Malta’s finest elements.