Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/919364
maltatoday SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER 2017 12 News CRAFT beer, which until quite re- cently was a relatively unknown production method of the alcoholic beverage in Malta, is steadily in- creasing in popularity with consum- ers. The last few years have seen the birth of a number of craft breweries in Malta, producing their own beer locally and making it available in shops or at various restaurants and bars. By definition, craft beer is beer brewed in small quantities, espe- cially when compared to the beers brewed on a large-scale by the big breweries, which distribute their beers widely. Craft breweries are small-scale operations which are independently owned, use specific brewing tech- niques, and usually produce beers which are known for their com- plex flavours. They are traditionally brewed with an emphasis on pro- ducing quality and speciality beer. Moreover, there are now also a few beer importers specialising in bring- ing foreign craft beers to our shores. The first craft brewery in Malta We spoke to Simone d'Imperio, Italian founder and director of Lord Chambray Brewery, the first craft brewery established on the Maltese islands, on how he decided to enter the local market. Lord Chambray opened in 2014 in Xewkija, Gozo, starting off with pro- ducing three bottled craft beers, a Belgian style wheat beer called Blue Lagoon, San Blas, an English IPA, and Golden Bay, a golden ale. It now brews a total of ten beers, including two seasonal and two lim- ited edition ones, available in shops, restaurants and bars around Malta. Each has its own character and spe- cial flavour, the recipes for which are all created by the brewery, some using local ingredients such as ca- per flowers and carob honey, giving them a unique taste. D'Imperio says he first visited Malta 28 years ago as young child, and then started visit- ing every summer. "Malta was my second home and I wanted to move there," he says, "I eventually decided to relocate here and open a craft brewery, something I knew would be a demanding task." "The country has always been dominated by mass-production beer," d'Imperio maintained, "Until a few years ago, people were mostly aware of the existence of big, easy to drink beer brands which are avail- able everywhere." "Brewing craft beer is difficult, insofar as producing on a small scale doesn't help cut expenses," d'Imperio explained, "Being based on an island was a big logistical and planning issue in the beginning, but thanks to a very carefully drawn-up business plan we were able to face the challenges. "To start brewing in a country where most people, until three years ago, didn't have an idea of the notion of a 'craft' beer, and were not overly familiar with terms like 'hops', was very hard," d'Imperio elaborates. "In this short span of time, the local market has changed incred- ibly, and accordingly our produc- tion has grown significantly. Today a remarkable number of craft beer brands are available on the island," he says. Homebrewing craft beer It is not always necessary to run a dedicated brewery in order to produce quality craft beer, as we learnt when we spoke to John Borg Barthet, owner of Stretta Craft Beers, started in late 2016. Stretta produces two craft beers, In- dia Pale Ale – No. 1, an IPA, and Trans- atlantic Pale Ale – Muzajk, an Ameri- can pale ale hybrid, both of which were first brewed and perfected by Borg Barthet on a pi- lot plant and later Christmas specials • Craft beers in Malta Two pints and a packet of 'krips' Relatively unknown until a few years ago, craft beer is increasing in popularity with the Maltese. We delve into the world of small-scale independent breweries and the production of flavoursome beers Career Opportuni�es OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER AUBERGE DE CASTILLE, TRIQ SAN PAWL, VALLETTA, MALTA (1) Senior Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Systems Coordinator Jobsplus Permit Number: 645/2017 (1) Senior IT Security and Compliance Manager Jobsplus Permit Number: 646/2017 Objec�ve of the role: The ideal candidate will be required to support & coordinate large scale projects for na�onal PKI systems. The PKI coordinator should have an advanced understanding of the principles of cer�fica�on authori�es, e-ID schemes, informa�on security policies & standards. Responsibili�es: • Adhere to the Cer�ficate authority polices, prac�ce statements & EU regula�ons. • Ensure maintenance of all relevant documenta�on with the solu�ons provider. • Keeping abreast with technical and strategic developments and trends within the ICT industry and Specific business area/s. • Monitor technological and opera�onal changes to IT systems ac�vi�es accordingly. • Analyze PKI technology industry and market trends, assess impact of emerging security threats. • Contribute to the technical direc�on on all areas of PKI architecture (policies, conformity, standards, strategies and governance). • Conduct risk assessment and Incident mi�ga�on. • Repor�ng on security issues, audits, project assignments and monitoring of third party opera�ons. Qualifica�ons and Experience required: • A minimum of 5 years experience in an ICT management/security posi�on, in possession of a valid Microso� Cer�fied Systems Engineer/Expert (MCSE) cer�fica�on OR a minimum of 3 years experience in an ICT security field in possession of a valid CISSP cer�fica�on OR in possession of a recognized qualifica�on at MQF Level 6 in Compu�ng and (2) years relevant work experience in an ICT management/security related field. • Experience with PKI-based products & common protocols. • Experience in areas such as iden�ty management, cer�fica�on & governance. • Experience in the implementa�on and review of policies and procedures. • Excellent wri�en, verbal, interpersonal business and technical communica�on skills. Objec�ve of the role: The deal candidate will be required to oversee the IT compliance and governance func�ons that are responsible for tes�ng, documen�ng, evalua�ng, remedia�ng and improving regulatory controls and processes for effec�veness and opera�onal efficiency. Responsibili�es: • Design enhancement for internal controls such as segrega�on of du�es, produc�on change management, compliance, network security, incident handling & risk assessment. • Managing ISO, security compliance cer�fica�ons and industry standards. • Review and update exis�ng documenta�on, including Internal Control Standards, to meet regulatory requirements and ensure business processes, policies and procedures are effec�ve and sustainable. • Conduct regular Informa�on Security Risk Assessments, including interviews of applicable stakeholders ensuring appropriate security controls are in place to mi�gate risks. • Managing vulnerability scanning, penetra�on tes�ng, coordina�ng with external vendor conduc�ng tests, and coordina�ng all remedia�on and priori�za�on ac�vi�es. • Monitor regulatory risk assessments performed on business and opera�onal processes, procedures and policies, providing recommenda�on for mi�ga�on or remedia�on. Qualifica�ons and Experience required: • A minimum of 5 years experience in an ICT management/security posi�on and in possession of a valid Microso� Cer�fied Systems Engineer/Expert (MCSE) cer�fica�on OR a minimum of 3 years experience in an ICT security field in possession of a valid CISSP cer�fica�on OR in possession of a recognized qualifica�on at MQF Level 6 in Compu�ng and (2) years' relevant work experience in an ICT management/security related field. • Hands-on experience with CISCO firewalls, routers & switches. • Experience in tes�ng, evalua�ng, and documen�ng controls of compliance. • Advanced knowledge on secure transport protocols, secure authoriza�on protocols & cer�fica- �on authori�es. • Proficiency in vulnerability assessments, penetra�on and intrusion detec�on tools. Interested persons are to send a covering le�er together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae by not later than 29th December 2017, addressed to the Chief Officer Human Resources, Iden�ty Malta Agency, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Old Hospital Street, Valle�a VLT 1645. Applica�ons may also be sent by email to recruitment@iden�tymalta.com. Iden�ty Malta is a government Agency established through Legal No�ce LN269 of 2013. Web: www.iden�tymalta.com John Borg Barthet of Stretta Craft Beers currently homebrews two craft beers "Local craft beer is going places, rising to the task of catering for people's tastes, which are turning towards more flavoursome food and beverages. It's quality over quantity" MASSIMO COSTA