Component for brewing supplied by a country (5)

I believe the answer is:

malta

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'country' is the definition.
(Malta is an example)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for malta that I've seen before include "Mediterranean island awarded the George Cross" , "Mediterranean country" , "Island to the south of Sicily" , "A Med. island" , "Island member of the European Union" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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