Despite the name, Malta Guinness has nothing to do with the alcoholic stout — it's a completely separate, nonalcoholic malt beverage that's become one of the most widely recognized soft drinks across West Africa.
What Malta Guinness Is
Malta Guinness is a carbonated, nonalcoholic malt drink made from malted barley, hops, and roasted barley, giving it a distinct sweet, slightly roasted flavor that's closer to a lightly carbonated malted soda than a typical fruit soft drink. Our Malta Guinness, pack of 6 is the same widely distributed formulation found across West African households and diaspora communities.
What It Tastes Like
Malta drinks have a distinctive flavor profile that first-time drinkers often describe as unlike anything else on the soda aisle — sweet, malty, with a faint roasted or caramel note from the barley, and noticeably less fizzy and fruity than a typical carbonated soft drink. It's an acquired taste for some, but a nostalgic staple for many who grew up with it.
Malta Guinness vs. Other West African Drinks
Malta Guinness sits in its own category — it's not a fruit drink like Vimto or our BB Cocktail fruit drink, and it's not a hibiscus infusion like sobolo/bissap. If you're building out a fuller West African drinks lineup, our West African fruit drinks guide covers the fruit-forward side of the category separately from malt drinks like this one.
When It's Typically Served
Malta drinks are commonly served chilled, straight from the bottle or can, and are a popular choice at family gatherings, with meals, or simply as an everyday soft drink alternative. Some people also drink it as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, since it's often perceived (rightly or informally) as more "nutritious" than a standard soda, given its malt-and-barley base.
Is Malta Guinness Alcoholic?
No — despite sharing a brand name with the Guinness stout, Malta Guinness is brewed without the alcohol fermentation step that produces alcoholic beer, making it a nonalcoholic beverage safe for all ages.
Nutritional Perception vs. Reality
Malta drinks are often perceived as more "wholesome" than a standard soda because of their malt-and-barley base and historical marketing around vitamins and nutrition — but like most carbonated beverages, they still contain meaningful sugar content, so it's worth checking the label rather than assuming it's a health drink outright. That said, the flavor and cultural association with a more grounded, family-oriented beverage (rather than a purely indulgent soda) is part of what's kept it popular across generations.
Regional Variations
Malta-style drinks exist under a few different brand names across the region and beyond, each with slightly different sweetness and roast intensity, but Malta Guinness remains one of the most widely distributed and recognized versions specifically because of its broad availability across West African markets and diaspora grocery stores.
Storing and Serving Temperature
Malta Guinness is best served well chilled — its flavor comes across noticeably differently at room temperature, where the roasted, malty notes can taste flatter or heavier without the refreshing cold contrast. Store unopened cans or bottles at room temperature and refrigerate ahead of serving, ideally for a few hours, for the best flavor, rather than relying on ice alone to chill it quickly right before serving, which can dilute the drink as the ice melts.
Other Fruit-Forward Options
If malt isn't your preference, our shelf-stable Don Simon Multifrutas juice drink is a fruit-forward alternative worth trying, along with the rest of our soda and soft drinks collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Malta Guinness contain alcohol?
No — Malta Guinness is a nonalcoholic malt beverage; it shares a brand name with Guinness stout but is brewed without the fermentation step that produces alcohol.
What does Malta Guinness taste like?
It has a sweet, malty flavor with a faint roasted or caramel note from the barley, and is noticeably less fizzy and fruity than a typical carbonated soft drink.
Is Malta Guinness the same as Guinness beer?
No — they share a brand name, but Malta Guinness is a separate nonalcoholic malt drink, unrelated to the alcoholic stout.
How is Malta Guinness typically served?
It's usually served chilled, straight from the bottle or can, and is popular at family gatherings, with meals, or as an everyday soft drink.
