I’m sure you have an image of me sitting on my sofa with a can of lager in hand, shouting at the telly.
“Raheem Sterling, he’s top of the league” etc etc.
Thought not. Watching football on TV is akin to drinking at home or asking for a sampler. I’ll say no more on the subject.
But it’s hard to avoid TV screens in Malta. Unless you’re Richard Coldwell who only drinks craft beer. All the bars and pizzerias along the waterfront had at least three TVs, set to different channels of course.
We’ve now walked the streets of Marsaskala in search of caffeine and craft. There’s no Maltese WhatPub, of course, and on evidence so far there’s a dearth of really local bars.
Over at Il Gzira there’s a huge unfinished hotel project that would make a good Tiny Rebel if the concept ever catches on here. It’s the only remotely edgy part of the village.
The drawing on the right bears a close resemblance to me on a good day, which is a bit scary.
On Saturday evening we ended up in the Coxswain’s Cabin, perhaps the closest to a micro you’ll get.
There’s a price list, but given it’s almost identical to all the others, a bit redundant. The spelling is better than you see in Halifax.
Inside, four tables around the walls, close enough to bench seating to raise false hopes.
On the bar, nothing. No draught products whatsoever. Where is the licensee’s skill ? How am I supposed to give an NBSS to this 1 euro tin of Martens Gold ?
Mrs RM is convinced these are the cans you buy in Aldi for 39p, she would know. It was OK, but her Hopleaf was still the winner.
I didn’t want to stay, City v Leicester was on the TV and I get nervous unless I’m actually there and can influence the game by shouting “Kick him !” and the like.
But within 10 minutes 1-1 was 3-1, and even that string of lights, and a satellite signal so far behind the actual game I feared we were back in 1999 could dampen the joy of Aguero’s four goals.
Last night I set off for a place called Malachy’s Lemon & Lime pub, hoping to watch Basle v City. Unfortunately, most of Malta seems to support Juventus, so five of the screens were watching Juve play the Harry Kane invitational XI. Never mind, I’m sure we won.
retiredmartin 
You’re definitely turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse here Martin.
However there’s not a single thing you’re written about Malta yet which would remotely tempt me to pay a visit.
But I like your very British cheerfulness in the face of adversity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s just winding you up mate, Malta is wonderful, you need to look at my site to see the better side of things! I took him to the last place Oliver Reed drank in before he died (just outside). A proper pub with some decent beer on (admittedly cans and bottles) and has he blogged about it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only go by what Martin has blogged.
Maybe he’s keeping the best till last.
Or maybe he just doesn’t want to upset you by suggesting that Malta is a dump.
I’m intrigued though – why so many places without draught beer ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I show you pictures of cans of beer for a euro and you call it a dump ! You couldn’t buy a pint of milk for a euro in Ireland.
I guess that draught goes off, particularly in the winter. Only the busy ex-pat places can have the draught on all year. And Malta isn’t a big place.
LikeLike
Most places do have draught beer, the local Farsons Simmons brews.
LikeLike
Richard is right but I don’t want my readers getting jealous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Black Gold in Sliema has draught beer, or it did have last time I was there
LikeLiked by 1 person
Walked past that an hour ago on way to Black Sheep. Doh !
LikeLike
The Pub on Archbishop St?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s it. Report coming up once I think of an Ollie Reed title.
LikeLike
He’s winding you up. We met up in The Pub on Sunday .
LikeLike
The first two places in Marsaskala only had the Cisk in “pint” cans. The biggest towns have the draught.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I suppose Sliema is a bit like Leeds and Marsascala more like the rest of the UK 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thunder and lightning outside, Prof. Only a rabid Yorkshireman could enjoy this. Good job I’ll be back in UK, on Aldershot, on Friday.
LikeLike
No TV in The Hole in the Wall, so I listened to a BEANGROWERS rehearsal, pretty decent, they’re just revving themselves for a 2 week stint in USA. They had Man City on in the Salisbury Arms in Sliema, as well as the other match. You’re just going to the wrong pubs mate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still tonight to get, possibly by canoe up the A1 or whatever it’s called !
LikeLiked by 1 person
How d’you make a Maltese cross ?
Switch the TV off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good. Crazy tonight with Real and Liverpool playing.
LikeLike
“Good likeness”
Not holding the GBG or a pink hilighter so not all that good then innit? 🙂
“Marsaskala Harbour – party central on the left”
If that’s the Labour Party thingy then of course it has to be on the ‘left’. 😉
Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good. Yes, I am never seen without my pinkie. Si has a green one.
LikeLike
I think we’ll see more photos of cans and bottles in these Malta blogposts than in the whole of everything you’ve ever posted put together! I imagine the conversations involve you saying, “Well, this one *almost* tastes like beer on tap…” 😉
Do you reckon the proportional price difference between 1.80 euros for a Heineken and 3.00 for a Guinness is similar to what you’d see in the UK? I feel like they’re closer to the same price in the US, but I haven’t paid close attention I confess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s EXACTLY the conversation we’re having here, Mark ! Mrs RM is turning into quite a beer sommelier “You can catch that citron note on the back of the tongue” – re: Cisk lager. “Yer what”.
Guinness would cost similar to Heineken in the UK on draught. Pricing all over the show here (the few local bottles cost more than the imported Belgian ones). Richard C examines that in his Beer Leeds post here.
https://beerleeds.co.uk/2018/02/08/the-hole-in-the-wall/
LikeLiked by 1 person