Löwenbräu celebrating 10th anniversary in Malta

Löwenbräu is celebrating its 10th anniversary of operations in Malta with a programme of activities on the brewery grounds in Qormi, starting on Friday.

The plant went into production in June, 1992 when it started producing the Löwenbräu lager, brewed according to the German purity law, under which only the four natural ingredients of malt, hops, yeast and water are used.

The brewery then researched and developed its own pale ale, the Red Lion, and the first non-alcoholic beer in Malta, Jazz. Löwenbräu in Malta also produces the English ale, John Bull.

It exports to Europe, North Africa, the Gulf and Asia.

Löwenbräu is fully operated by Maltese and all employees were trained in the process of brewing and in serving draught beer as the trade dictates - it even supplies, for free, the detergent to wash the glasses with because, as director Paul Debattista said, using the wrong detergent could affect the beer.

Löwenbräu in 1998 became the first local food and beverage company to be ISO 9002 and HACCP certified.

It organises the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest in the brewery grounds, attracting 35,000 visitors last year. Patrons at the event enjoy the Oktoberfest brew, developed for the Japanese market.

The brewery grounds will be the venue for the 10th anniversary activities, between 7.30 and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Entertainers during the days include Claudette Pace, Renato, Freddie Portelli, Fabrizio Faniello, Mike Spiteri, Enzo Gusman, and Ira Losco.

The bands Scream Daisy, Crosswalk and Scar will also take part.

A special 10th anniversary brew will be available during the festivities.