Farsons Special Brews, a new series of limited edition beers, were launched today (10th June) during a special press launch held at Gastro Cafè at Portomaso. The range will consist of four brews of the highest quality each linked to a different season of the year.

Summer Festival 2003 Premium Golden Lager is the first brew launched simultaneously with the new Gastro Cafè menu specially prepared by the celebrity chef, Michael Cauchi.

Aptly named and perfect for warm summer nights, the Summer Festival 2003 is a bottom fermented strong lager brewed from barley malt. It has a bitter taste, which is mellowed by a strong malt flavour topped by a fresh hop aroma. Each bottle is individually numbered and each brew is available for only three months from its launch or until stocks last.

During the official launch, the Deputy to the Chief Executive - Marketing at Simonds, Farsons Cisk plc, Mr Anthony J. Tabone, commented on these outstanding brews. "Farsons Special Brews are designed and produced for the premium beverage market. Our achievement to develop new brews is derived from our unrivalled tradition, our passion for brewing and our commitment to quality. All these combined elements contribute to the excellence of our Special Brew, which for many years have been appreciated by Maltese and foreign consumers alike."

Farsons Beer Business Unit General Manager, Mr Albert Calleja gave a brief outlook on the four different brews. "Our brewmasters continue to dedicate their knowledge and experience to create brews of outstanding character and quality," remarked Mr Calleja. "Farsons Special Brews are produced with great care using the finest materials to ensure a product of outstanding appeal."

"The new Summer Festival 2003 has refreshing characteristics which make it ideal as an accompaniment to most summer dishes, especially seafood and white meats," said Mr Michael Cauchi, who prepared and displayed an extraordinary variety of food from his new menu at Gastro Cafè. Mr Cauchi spoke about his new menu and gave some excellent tips on how to cook with beer. A section of this new menu is dedicated to mussle receipes prepared with beer.

The other Farsons Special Brews in the series will be launched in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Apart from each bottle being numbered, all brews will be available in limited quantities.