First off, I apologize for the blurriness of the picture. I only took one and it looked fine on my camera, so I didn't worry about it. It is therefore only natural according to Murphy's Law that the picture actually be out of focus.
Anyway, I spotted Malta Goya several days ago in the Latin foods section of a local Wal-Mart. I've seen it before and unconsciously never really thought much of it, but I decided to pick one up this time. I have had one malt beverage before in my life, but it was a long time ago, and I think that it was some sort of weird powdered mix, so I don't really remember anything about how it tasted. I wasn't really sure what to expect from a carbonated malt beverage, but I was finally able to give this one a try a few days ago, and there is no way that I could have prepared myself for the taste with which I was met.
This is going to sound dramatic, but Malta Goya tastes like bran cereal. A friend of mine who I was with at the time agreed, specifying further that it tastes very much like the bran flakes out of Raisin Bran cereal, in particular. The drink is sweetened, but...even sweet bran flakes still taste like bran flakes.
The only word that I can think of to describe Malta Goya is "strange." I only took a few drinks of it before pouring the rest out, but throughout the drinks that I did have, I could not shake the feeling that this should not have been a beverage. It honestly tastes like a food, and it is difficult to get over the idea that you are drinking a bran-flavored substance in liquid form.
Verdict: Not recommended
Purchased: Wal-Mart [Columbia, SC]
Size: 12 fl. oz. [355 mL]
Price: $0.89
Lmao i drink it all of the time, infact I'm drinking one now lol. I read that Malta is actually a non fermented bear originated in germany. But market like its from Latin-American. Peace
ReplyDeleteWhy would they ferment bears in Germany?
DeleteI actually find it "strange" that you think Malta tastes like food (cereal), I personally think it tastes delicious, I can't get enough of it, but then again, I guess what you like or dislike in terms of food does somewhat depend on and/or is influenced by where you come from since there are several American foods that I don't like and similar to what happened to you with Malta, I wouldn't recommend. Taste is very suggestive.
ReplyDeleteDrank an I Malta India a few hours ago and will go far and out of my way to stock up on a bunch at a time and save them for special occasions, but Goyas are quite similar. Both are favorite drinks of mine and 2 friends and everyone i've gotten to try some has said wow that's interesting, most don't ever buy them again i am pretty sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm having one now - I spotted it in the grocery store and like you wondered what it was like. I used to brew beer, and if you have ever brewed beer you will recognize its scent because it is the same as the malt extract you use when brewing. Which makes sense given its ingredients. I like it.
ReplyDeleteThe way I figure, the less people like it, the less trouble I have locating it at the local store. I clean out the shelves every chance I get. Unlike soda, it quenches the thirst and is refreshing. I have located where they make it and will be driving to the factory to buy several cases.
ReplyDeleteWish they had it where i live cuz id be doing exactly the exactly the same thing. Definitely a selective taste though. Not everyone will like it
DeleteI'm glad that so many of you like it! Maybe I'll have to revisit it some day.
ReplyDeletei think it is used as a meal substiture in a lot of caribbean cultures......i see it at many places down there.....when you don't have the time for a full meal...you can drink one and not be so hungry..
ReplyDeleteHa. I tried this one a while ago, and thought it was way too bizarre. But, as is somewhat typical of me, I kept sipping it. By the time I'd finished the bottle, I was actually somewhat fond of the stuff, although I'd seek out other Goya drinks first (but malta is one of the easiest to get for me).
ReplyDeleteWhen I was much younger, I used to drink Malta Guiness, a non-alcoholic beverage. This Malta Goya brings back that taste though sweeter. I love it and can't get enough of it.
ReplyDeleteVERDICT: Please buy this drink! it's rich in taste and satisfying.
Grew up drinking Malta.. Love it with a passion. I'm from the Caribbean and I've been drinking Malta since a small child. It is however an acquired taste.
ReplyDeleteIs it better to drink it with milk or with nothing.
DeleteI was told it makes you sleep real good is that true?
DeleteI LOVE malta! I used to hate it but I think it is an acquired taste!
ReplyDeleteI just acquired some Malta Goya. Would you recommend drinking it warm or cold? I let ya Know what I think
ReplyDeleteMy gut reaction would be cold, but I'm really not sure. It may actually hold up pretty well at room temperature. If you try it warm, you'll have to let me know how it is!
DeleteMuch like a beer it is best super cold. That first ice cold sip will have you looking at the bottle like "why didn't I meet you before my wife. Like everyone says it is a matter of taste.
DeleteIt is best cold. Malta is oh so good!!!. It is an acquired taste. You will see many third world countries drinking Malta; it’s a go to beverage for parties, and functions. My family loves it.
ReplyDeleteMalta is so so so delicious and I'm glad this drink isn't super popular where I live because hey that means more for me!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up drinking it in West Africa, where the version I drank was bottled by Biere Benin. It's definitely an acquired taste, but I love it. It's kind of like a meal in a bottle. I think I got my love of stout from drinking malta growing up.
ReplyDeleteMan Leave it alone it's a well kept drink in American gets me mad when the supemarket runs out. I actually work out on Malta goya whatevers in it makes me strong hell with Redbull. everyone's different in my opinion redbull is for lazy people.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to quit drinking alcohol, including beer, which I love. I got some Malta Goya, and mixed it with plain Perrier water, over ice, and a squeeze of lime. It's really good, and satisfies my craving for an evening beer. I think it's high in calories, but mixed with Perrier, which has 0 calories, it's all good. So glad I found it in the Latin section of the groc. store.
ReplyDeleteI just finished drinking Malta Regal from Puerto Rico, like other fellow that posted before me, I quit drinking wine, I don 't actually go for beer to much, however, I saw this at the check out and bought it thinking it was more like a "near beer" but it is nothing like that. I discovered that it is really good icy cold on the rocks with black beans and fried plantain. I read that a splash of condensed milk is good in it, I may try that.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sweet but I find it refreshing after a long walk.
This review made me chuckle. I can understand that many people don't find the taste of it pleasant - in my honest opinion it is an acquired taste. I would not expect most people to enjoy it unless they grew up drinking it, as I did. My mother's side of the family is Puerto Rican so my mother drinks it quite often and so do I. My younger sister is a very picky eater and she does not like it, but my even younger brother loves it. What brought a smile to m face when I read this review was how you described it as tasting like bran flakes - specifically those in Raisin Bran. You could ask my mother, ever since I was a small child I have always said that Malta Goya tastes like raisins! I could never figure out another way to describe it. My whole life, if someone asked me what is that or what does it taste like, my answer is always that it tastes like raisins :)
ReplyDeleteSitting somewhere beteween syrupy Coke and unfermented stout, I find a killer use for this is to pour on the rocks with Jim Beam.
ReplyDeleteI bought this at a store on a hot day, thinking it might be good and wrong I was.
ReplyDeleteTo me it just tasted like unsweetened caramel in liquid form, but now I see where you are coming from with the bran cereal taste.
Apparently Malta Goya is often used in cooking and my opinion is that it should remain in cooking.
I recently began drinking malta again as I did when I was a child. I love the taste of it. as I have lost weight due to an illness, I am now drinking as much malta with a raw egg in it. I don't know what health benefits or nutrition it has but I was told that it will help me gain some weight back as all malts do. any advice? thanks for reading...have a great day!
ReplyDeleteIt's EXCELLENT, mixed 50-50 with cheap vodka
ReplyDeleteI grew up drinking Malta in the South Bronx. Now I buy it by the case at Sam's Club. Would rather drink this than soda. I'm addicted. Great stuff, although it is an acquired taste. Not for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting your finger on it! I got some of this at a local supermarket yesterday just to check it out. Wierd flavor that I just couldn't describe, but bran flakes is spot on! And like you, I wouldn't recommend this. I'm sure it's an acquired taste, and if you grew up on it, it is probably a favorite, but the taste is too odd for me.
ReplyDeleteLol... I never grew up on it, but I love Malta. Malta India is where it's at!
ReplyDelete