As the festive decorations are packed away across Valletta and the Sliema promenade, a familiar resolution takes hold of the Maltese islands: the January health kick. In recent years, Dry January in Malta has evolved from a niche challenge into a mainstream cultural shift. No longer does "abstaining" mean staying at home; instead, it has birthed a new era of sophisticated, health-conscious consumption.

At Farsonsdirect, we see the new year as the perfect time to explore the "cleaner" alternatives that have recently taken the world by storm. These aren't just substitutes; they are feats of modern culinary engineering that allow you to maintain your social lifestyle while feeling your absolute best.

Why People Are Choosing 'Low and No' Alcohol

January is traditionally a month of recalibration. In Malta, this often aligns with a renewed focus on Mediterranean health values. This isn't just about avoiding a hangover; it is about performance, clarity, and the freedom to enjoy a mid-week sundowner while staying sharp for the next morning.

Reducing alcohol intake, even for a few weeks, is famously linked to better sleep, improved skin, and a significant boost in energy levels. For many Maltese professionals heading back to work, these benefits are the ultimate "New Year's gift" to themselves.

The Rise of the 'Zero' Hero: Guinness 0.0 and Cisk 0.0

The 2026 "Zero" movement is a far cry from the non-alcoholic beers of the past. Today’s options are crafted using "Cold Filtration" technology, which preserves the delicate flavours that heat usually destroys.

Cisk 0.0

Cisk 0.0 still has the same, crisp and refreshing taste as Malta’s national beer, but just without the alcohol. . It is the perfect companion for a working lunch or a post-padel match refreshment, proving that the "Cisk moment" is about the flavour.

Guinness 0.0

Creating a non-alcoholic stout is notoriously difficult because of the roasted malts. The brewers at St. James’s Gate spent four years perfecting a cold filtration method that keeps the coffee and chocolate notes intact. Guinness 0.0 even features the same nitrogen widget, ensuring that iconic, creamy "surge and settle" pour.

Carlsberg 0.0: The Pilsner Perfection

If you are looking for a classic European pilsner experience, Carlsberg 0.0 is a masterclass in balance. It is brewed with the same high-quality hops and malt as the original Danish pilsner, with the alcohol gently evaporated at the end of the process to maintain that signature crisp, hoppy bite.

The Local Champion: Cisk Excel Low-Carbohydrate Lager

When discussing health-conscious drinking in Malta, one name is synonymous with the movement: Cisk Excel. Launched as Malta’s first low-carb beer, it has achieved legendary status among those who want to balance an active lifestyle with the authentic taste of the islands.

The Secret to the Cisk Excel Taste

The true novelty of Cisk Excel is that it isn't a "light" beer in the traditional, watery sense. It is brewed to retain the exact same 4.2% ABV and award-winning character as the original Cisk Lager, but through a precision brewing process, it contains 50% fewer carbohydrates. This makes it the ultimate choice for those who love a cold pint after a long day at work but want to avoid the "heavy" feeling of a traditional lager. It’s a smarter way to enjoy a Maltese icon.

World Class Non-Alcoholic Wine: The Oddbird Story

Perhaps the most interesting arrival in our cellar is Oddbird. Founded by a Swedish social worker who wanted to change society's relationship with the glass, Oddbird is not "non-alcoholic wine" in the way you might imagine. They are a world-class wine house that produces premium vintages and then liberates them from alcohol.

The Science Behind Oddbird’s Non-Alcoholic Wines

Oddbird wines rely on traditional European methods that build real depth: cold maceration to preserve freshness, natural fermentation to develop complexity, and aging in steel, concrete, or barrel to shape texture and structure. These steps matter because they form the backbone of the wine, the backbone that must stay intact when alcohol is removed. Crafting a liberated wine begins long before the dealcoholisation stage.

The wines are liberated through a patented vacuum-distillation process carried out at low temperatures. This allows us to remove alcohol gently while protecting volatile aromas and delicate flavour compounds. After distillation, the original aromas are recovered and reintegrated into the liberated wine, ensuring it reflects the character of the initial cuvée with precision and integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

-         - Where can I find the best non-alcoholic beer in Malta? Farsonsdirect offers the islands' premier selection, including the technologically advanced Guinness 0.0, Carlsberg 0.0 and the local favourite Cisk 0.0. You can order online or visit us in Mriehel.

-         - What makes Cisk Excel "low-carb"? Cisk Excel undergoes a specialised brewing process that reduces its carbohydrate content by 50% compared to standard lagers, all while maintaining its 4.2% ABV and iconic Maltese flavour.

-         - Can I get Oddbird alcohol-free wine delivered in Malta? Yes! Farsonsdirect is the home of Oddbird in Malta.