25th Farsons Great Beer Festival

The 25th Farsons Great Beer Festival promises to be another success this year, with an array of local and international beers and the best local artists and bands. The festival opens on Friday and will go on till July 31 at Ta' Qali Park from 7.30 p.m., with ample free parking and free entrance.

The Farsons Great Beer Festival was organised for the first time in 1981 at the Farsons Brewery in Mriehel. It was then held at San Anton Gardens and Ta' Xbiex Gardens for a number of years.

The festival has now settled at Ta' Qali Park, attracting large crowds every night, making it the biggest festival of its kind.

The largest range of local and international beers will be served at the festival. Local beers include Cisk Lager, Blue Label Smooth 'N' Creamy together with Hopleaf Extra Smooth 'N' Creamy, recently launched on the market. International beer brands include Cisk Export, Carlsberg, Sköl, Budweiser, Guinness, Kilkenny, John Smith's, Beck's and Corona.

They are complemented with a wide variety of food, including Chinese, Turkish, pasta, ribs, chicken and the traditional pizza.

For the third year running, beer drinkers have the opportunity of adding the official 25th Anniversary Beer Festival mug to their collection, an excellent souvenir to take home. This is available at all the bars and is offered full of the beer of choice. A limited stock of these specially printed mugs makes them a collector's item.

This year's Farsons Great Beer Festival will kick off with a re-enactment from the In Guardia parade in full costume and an announcement by a town crier.

Every evening different shows are presented on two stages. The main stage features a host of singers including Chiara, Freddie Portelli, Ira Losco, Enzo Gusman, Julie and Ludwig, Hooligan, Tony Camilleri, Olivia Lewis, Kristina Casolani, Claudette Pace and Fabrizio Faniello.

Top local bands, including Corkskrew, Beangrowers, Scream Daisy, Rug, Indigo, Bitterside, Miriam Christine and Fakawi, will perform live at the Rock Stage @ World Beers Area. The rock stage has now become an alternative night out for many young people.

Bay Radio will be hosting the Rock Stage@World Beers Area with periodic live links. A schedule of the performances on both the main stage and the Rock Stage@World Beers Area is available on www.farsons.com/beerfestival.

Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija will also be at the festival this year, giving out a great prize every night to raise much-needed funds. Tickets for the lottery can be obtained from their stand.

A designated play area for young children has been set up, with games and activities, creating a truly festive atmosphere.

The 25th edition of the Farsons Great Beer Festival is sponsored by Vodafone Malta Ltd, Chevrolet, and Surplus and Adventure Equipment Store.