What is a malt drink?
A malt drink — also called malta or malt soda — is brewed much like the first stages of making beer: barley is malted, mashed with water and flavoured with hops. The difference is that it is never fermented into alcohol. Sugar or glucose syrup is usually added, which gives malt drinks their dark brown colour and their sweet, toffee-like flavour. Our guide to what malt drinks actually are goes into more detail.
Where Malta Guinness comes from
Malta Guinness is made under the Guinness brand and is the best-known malt drink in Nigeria, where it is also hugely popular alongside rivals such as Maltina. The cans we sell list Nigeria as their country of origin. Across West Africa, malt drinks are part of almost every celebration — weddings, naming ceremonies, birthdays and Christmas — and they are a common choice for children and for guests who do not drink alcohol.
In the UK, Malta Guinness is sold in 330ml cans and glass bottles by specialist African grocers, some supermarkets and online. Most families who drink it regularly buy it by the case.
What does Malta Guinness taste like?
Rich and full. It is sweet, with a malty, toffee-like flavour and a gentle bitterness from the hops that stops it tasting like a plain fizzy drink. People often describe it as "heavier" than other malt drinks. It is best served well chilled, and it is a classic partner for jollof rice, fried rice, small chops and suya. If you are deciding between brands, see Malta Guinness vs Supermalt.
What is in Malta Guinness?
The pack we sell lists water, barley malt, hops, caramel colour and carbon dioxide. Because it is made from barley, it contains cereals containing gluten, so it is not suitable for anybody avoiding gluten. Always check the packaging on the product you receive: recipes can change.
Nutrition overview
Published nutrition data for Malta Guinness puts it at around 56–57 kcal and about 11g of sugars per 100ml, with no fat — roughly 185–190 kcal and 36g of sugars in a 330ml can. That places it just under the 11.25g per 100ml line UK front-of-pack labels use for a "high" sugar drink. It is a sweet soft drink, and the sensible way to treat it is like any other: enjoyed, not relied on. The nutrition panel on the can you buy is the figure to go by.
Is Malta Guinness alcoholic?
No. It is sold as a non-alcoholic drink. The Guinness name and the stout-like colour cause plenty of confusion, but Malta Guinness is not fermented into alcohol and it is not a beer.
Where to buy Malta Guinness in the UK
We sell Malta Guinness in boxes of 24 × 330ml cans, delivered across the UK. It is also in our Indomie & Malta Family Box.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malta Guinness alcoholic?
No. Malta Guinness is a non-alcoholic malt drink. It is brewed from barley malt and hops but is not fermented into alcohol.
Is Malta Guinness the same as Guinness beer?
No. They share a brand name, but Malta Guinness is a non-alcoholic malt soft drink, and the cans we sell are made in Nigeria.
Does Malta Guinness contain gluten?
The pack we sell declares cereals containing gluten, from barley. Always check the packaging on the product you receive.