Skip to main content

How to taste craft beer, like a pro 🍻

There is a massive difference between drinking a beer, and tasting it. For starters, drinking a beer is what you do at a Maltese summer event, when it's scorching hot. Tasting, however, is a sensory experience. It's about slowing down, unlocking those hidden flavour notes, and understanding exactly what the brewer intended to create.  Tasting Guide to Master the art of Beer Tasting 1. The Setup: Glassware & Temperature Before you even think of opening a beer, you need to set the stage. Two rookie mistakes can ruin a premium craft, and thats drinking straight from the can, and serving it ice-cold.  The Glass: Pouring your beer into a glass releases carbonation and opens up the aromas. Reach for a proper glass and pour your beer allowing the liquid to breath and drive those aromatic notes straight to your nose with every sip. The Temperature: A good beer shouldn't be freezing cold. The extreme cold numbs the tastebuds and masks the flavours. It's recommended that your...

A Day in the Life at Lord Chambray: Mondays in the Taproom

After the weekend at Lord Chambray’s taproom, Monday brings a different pace. The taproom isn’t just a space for craft beer lovers to enjoy a pint or two—it’s where the magic of restocking, inventory checks, and customer service happens, all with a passion for quality brewing at the forefront.

So what does a typical Monday look like at the taproom? Let’s take you through it, from morning preparations to afternoon service, and everything in between.

The wall of beer taps in Lord Chambray's taproom.

Morning Ritual: Restocking and Inventory Management

The day kicks off bright and early with the all-important task of restocking. After bustling Saturdays where beers fly off the shelves, it’s crucial to replenish both the shelves and the fridges. We carefully compile a list of the missing products, which ensures that customers are greeted with a full selection of our finest craft beers the moment they step in.

After ensuring the taproom is fully stocked, attention turns to the online shop. The website allows beer enthusiasts to order from the comfort of their homes, whether in Malta, Gozo, or further afield. This means that every Monday, the availability of products is double-checked. New beers or seasonal specials are added to the shop, while those that sold out over the weekend are removed. This step syncs the online inventory, ensuring a smooth customer experience.

Once the shop is updated, it's time to prepare the day’s orders. Orders from the weekend pour in, and each one is carefully packaged. By mid-afternoon, the orders are ready, which means that craft beer fans across Malta and Gozo receive their favourite beers without delay.

Merchandising: Stocking Up for Beer Lovers

Lord Chambray’s taproom isn’t just a place to enjoy quality beer; it’s also where visitors can pick up branded merchandise. From T-shirts to glasses and beer boxes, these items fly off the shelves almost as fast as the beers themselves. Each Monday, the merchandising shelves are also restocked, ensuring that visitors can leave with more than just a great beer: they can take home a piece of the Lord Chambray experience.

Lord Chambray t-shirts at the taproom


Midday: Managing Customer Inquiries

Next on the to-do list is addressing customer emails. Lord Chambray’s taproom is not only a popular destination for walk-in customers but also for those looking to book tours or learn more about the brewing process. By Monday, the team typically has a full inbox of inquiries, including requests for brewery tours, product information, or collaborations.

Answering these emails is a key part of maintaining excellent customer service. Prompt, informative replies ensure that Lord Chambray remains a top choice for those interested in exploring the world of craft beer.

Afternoon: Preparing for Service

After a well-deserved lunch break, the taproom begins to prepare for afternoon service. At around 1:45 PM, the taproom team gets into action by setting up tables and creating a welcoming atmosphere for the day’s customers. One key task is preparing the draft beer list, which is then placed at the entrance to showcase the selection available for the day.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper beer service without a beer check. The team makes sure everything is running smoothly, which includes ensuring that the taps are in top condition and all beers are pouring perfectly. A small taste test might even take place, all in the name of quality control!

With the beer menu set and the taps flowing, it’s time for the doors to open.

Draught beers board in the taproom


Afternoon Service: A Relaxed Experience

From 2 PM until 6 PM, the taproom shifts into full-service mode. Customers trickle in, eager to sample Lord Chambray’s range of beers. The relaxed vibe is emphasized by the background music, which helps set the tone for an enjoyable beer-tasting experience.

Customers have a range of choices when it comes to enjoying their beer. Whether it's large, small, or a tasting flight, there’s something for everyone. The tasting flights, in particular, are a hit with customers who want to experience a variety of different beers without committing to just one.

The team serves with care, providing beer recommendations based on individual preferences and sharing their passion for local brewing.

Tasting flight glasses being filled in the taproom.


End of the Day: Closing Time

As the clock strikes 6 PM, the final orders are taken. While customers finish their last drinks, the team begins the cleaning process. The tables are wiped down, the taps are cleaned, and the space is prepared for the next day of service.

It’s a satisfying way to end a productive Monday at the taproom. After the customers leave, the lights are turned off, and the doors are closed, the team can reflect on another successful day serving some of Malta and Gozo’s finest craft beers.

Conclusion

A typical Monday at Lord Chambray’s taproom is a seamless blend of behind-the-scenes logistics and front-of-house service. From the early hours of restocking shelves and managing online orders to the late afternoon beer service, every step is a testament to the brewery’s dedication to quality. This commitment ensures that visitors to the taproom, whether online or in-person, have a memorable craft beer experience, every single time.

Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, stopping by Lord Chambray’s taproom on a Monday (or any other day) means discovering the passion, care, and attention to detail that goes into every pint poured. Come and visit the taproom team soon!

The outside of Lord Chambray's taproom



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Top reasons to choose local this Christmas: why supporting Maltese businesses like Lord Chambray makes a difference

This Christmas, why not go local with your holiday shopping and gift-giving ? Supporting Maltese businesses doesn’t just mean getting unique, high-quality products; it’s also about strengthening our community, preserving local traditions, and celebrating the amazing creativity right here in Malta. Lord Chambray’s craft beers make perfect gifts for the beer lovers in your life and add a truly Maltese touch to any holiday gathering. 1. Support the Maltese Economy When you buy locally, you’re directly supporting the Maltese economy and contributing to local jobs. Malta’s business community thrives on local companies, just like us here at Lord Chambray, which brings people together over craft beer while creating opportunities for those passionate about brewing, beer and customer service. Every bottle sold helps keep local businesses running, which ultimately strengthens the economy and the community. 2. Celebrate the Unique Flavours of Malta Lord Chambray’s beers are brewed wi...

Discover the Stories Behind Our Beer: Part 2 - Collabs & Creativity

In Part 1 of this series, we shared how our core range of year-round craft beers is inspired by the landscapes and spirit of the Maltese Islands, our home! From San Blas Bay to Valletta’s Grand Harbour , every label was designed to celebrate a place we love in the place where Lord Chambray originated. But our creativity doesn’t stop there. At Lord Chambray craft brewery in Gozo, some of our most exciting beers are born from collaborations, seasonal experiments, and one-off ideas that let us have fun with flavour, design, and storytelling. These labels aren’t about bays, beaches, or harbours; they’re about the breweries we work with, unexpected ingredients, and creative journeys that stretch far beyond our island home. Let’s dive into the cans that show just how playful and imaginative craft beer can be. Sylvia Sylvia is sunshine in a can. This citrus-forward brew was created with our friends at Magic Rock Brewing in the UK, and bursts with the vibrant flavours of locally grown lemons...

Discover the Stories Behind Our Beer: Part 3 - Bold Flavours & More Global Adventures

If our core range is about home, and our collaborations and specials are about creativity, this next chapter is about all of that and more. At Lord Chambray , some beers are born to push boundaries: with bold ingredients, unexpected styles, and stories that stretch across continents. These cans invite you to travel further, taste deeper, and experience craft beer at full throttle, with designs made to match that feeling. Let’s explore some more of our beers that dare to be different, inside the can and out. Defrosting When summer heat feels like it could melt everything, Defrosting is the crisp relief you need. Brewed as a Cold IPA, it’s clean, hop-forward, and designed for scorching days. The label’s yellow rubber duck floating in cool water captures exactly what this beer delivers. It’s playful refreshment when you require it most, or, come to think of it, any time of year when you need to cool down! No Limit  Big and bold, No Limit isn’t shy about its strength. At 10% ABV, this ...