|
Maltese Brew Set to Hit US |
|
Friday, 15 February 2008 |
Cisk Lager will be imported by Littleton, Colo.-based Distinguished Brands International (DBI), which will also bring three other Maltese beers to the US.
Cisk Lager, a Maltese beer known for its aromatic hops and malty nose, is prepared to make its debut in the US.
The beer, also known as Mediterranean Gold (to reflect the beer's color), is the leading brand of 168-year-old Maltese brewery Simons Farsons Cisk PLC. It was distinguished as the World's Best Standard Lager at the 2007 World Beer Awards.
Cisk will be imported by Littleton, Colo.-based Distinguished Brands International (DBI), which will also bring three other Maltese beers to the US.
Cisk XS Strong Lager contains 9 percent alcohol and stands in marked contrast to the distinctly lighter tasting Cisk Lager. Farsons Traditional Shandy is flavored with lemon (typical of shandies), while Farsons Lager & Lime Shandy is unusual for shandies since they are not traditionally flavored with lime.
According to DBI president Jeff Coleman, the shandies are "excellent summer drinks," and the traditional shandy is almost like a thirst quencher that "tastes great after playing sports or doing other similar activities."
"The lime has a gin and tonic flavor, while the lemon is a real refreshing drink," says Coleman. "These have a whole different taste from what people are expecting."
The beers' presence in the US represents a coming out of sorts for Malta. Beer from the small, Southern European island nation off the coast of Sicily was mostly known only to Maltese, travelers and world CEOs (Malta is global headquarters to many of the world's Fortune 100). The very fact that these beers are from Malta, according to Coleman, makes them unique, which is one reason DBI is importing them to the US.
The beers will first be sold mostly in Midwestern markets such as Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois and Michigan beginning in late February, but will soon expand nationwide. All of the beers will be sold in six-pack bottles, while the Cisk Lager will also be sold in yellow six-pack cans. |
