The Farsons Great Beer Festival has become an established part of Malta’s summer events calendar, Farsons marketing and exports general manager Ray Grech enthused yesterday saying that there was growing response for the event even from abroad.

Details of the festival, which is the 25th being organised, were given during a press conference at the group’s brewery yesterday. The event will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July at Ta’ Qali.

“There is good response from the public, not only Maltese,” Beer Festival organiser Matthew Cuomo commented, making special mention of a group from Austria who this year will be coming to the Farsons festival for the sixth time.

Even the Malta Tourism Authority recognised the tourism element and will be sending an In Guardia re-enactment team, complete with town crier to kick-off the festival.

The festival was organised for the first time in 1981 at the group’s brewery and has been growing since. The same will happen this year, especially as more importance is being given to the rock stage.

Since settling in Ta’ Qali, after a number of years in Ta’ Xbiex, the festival is now attracting huge crowds every night, mostly due to the growing attractions and parking availability at Ta’ Qali. The number of visitors, although not a precise statistic, is estimated to reach some 7,000 per night, making it the biggest such event on the island, Mr Grech pointed out.

Obviously, the greatest attraction will be the wide selection of Farsons’ local and international beers, including Cisk Lager, Blue Label Smooth ‘N’ Creamy, the new Hopleaf Extra Smooth ‘N’ Creamy and the international brands which include the Cisk Export, Carlsberg, Skol, Budweiser, Guinness, Kilkenny, John Smith’s, Beck’s and Corona.

However the beer, as usual, will be complemented with a variety of food stalls, with Chinese, Turkish and Italian food as well as great music. Every evening different shows will be staged on the main stage, featuring a host of Maltese singers such as Chiara, Freddie Portelli, Ira Losco, Enzo Guzman, Julie and Ludwig, Hooligan, Tony Camilleri, Olivia Lewis, Kristina Casolani, Claudette Pace and Fabrizio Faniello among many others.

Top local bands such as Corkskrew, Beangrowers, Scream Daisy, Rug, Indigo, Bitterside, Miriam Christine and Fakawi will perform live at the rock stage at the World Beers Area. The rock stage has now become an alternative night out for many young people, marketing manager Ivan Filletti explained.

Bay Radio will be hosting the rock stage with periodic live links. A schedule of the performances on both the main stage and the rock stage is available on www.farsons.com/beerfestival.

“The Farsons Great Beer Festival has become a showcase for the best in local talent. We are proud to have always supported our local artists through this free ten-day event,” Mr Filletti emphasised.

The Park of Friendship will also be at the festival this year, giving out a great prize every night in order to raise needed funds. Tickets for the lottery can be obtained from their stand. Vodafone have confirmed their sponsorship of the even, along with Chevrolet, and the Surplus and Adventure Equipment Store.

For the collectors, the sought after a limited stock of beer festival mugs will also be on sale, this year bearing the official 25th anniversary logo.