Stella Artois is a very popular beer in Europe, the United States and across the world. It is easy to drink and has a fantastic flavor that appeals to lots of beer drinkers.
Whether you enjoy it out of a bottle or from one of the signature Stella Artois glasses, it is a much loved beer.
But what type of beer is Stella? What does it taste like? What is the history of Stella beer? If you want to find out more about Stella Artois then keep reading.
We have put together this interesting guide to tell you everything that you need to know.
What Type Of Beer Is Stella?
Stella Artois is a pale lager, also called a Pilsner, that comes from Belgium. It has an alcohol percentage of 5%, which is higher than a lot of pale lagers, and it has a lovely golden color.
Most bars or pubs will serve it in the traditional Stella glass which is different to a standard pint glass.
What Does Stella Taste Like?
Stella is considered to be an easy drinking beer. It has a bold yet fruity flavor with a moderate and soft feel in the mouth.
It has some sweetness from the malt, and a nice crisp finish which makes it nice and refreshing. You can pick up floral tasting notes as well as a bit of spice.
What Is Stella Made Of?
Stella is made from four simple ingredients – hops, barley, water and maized.
The History Of Stella
Stella was first brewed in the town of Leuven in Belgium. The Horn Brewery, (Den Horen) has been established since at least 1366.
In 1717 it became the Artois brewery when it was taken over by Sebsatian Artois. In 1926 the first batch of Stella Artois was released.
‘Stella’ means star, and it was added to the name because it was originally created as a Christmas brew.
The beer was so popular that it became a permanent beer produced by the Artois brewery. By 1930 it was being exported to other countries throughout Europe, and its popularity continued to grow.
There was a halt in production during World War Two, but this picked back up again and by 1960 production rates were at an all time high.
Due to increasing demand, the Artois brewery signed an agreement with Whitbread which allowed them to brew the beer in the UK from 1976 onwards.
After several mergers in the eighties, nineties and noughties, the original Artois brewery is now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV which is the largest brewing company in the world.
Stella Artois is still brewed in the town of Leuven, but in a new brewery. It is also brewed in the United Kingdom and Australia, and exported all over the world. It is one of the most popular imported brands in the United States.
Advertising And Reputation
In Belgium, Stella is seen as a very basic beer. Outside of Belgium it has the reputation of being a premium lager.
This is partly due to clever advertising and the use of the slogan ‘reassuringly expensive’ which solidified the association between this brand and sophisticated wealth.
Drinking Stella rather than cheaper beers became a status symbol.
This reputation was damaged somewhat in the UK when Stella Artois became heavily associated with binge drinking and domestic violence.
It was labeled a ‘wife beater’ beer, but eventually this was forgotten and Stella still remains a popular beer in the UK.
The name was used to create a cocktail with Stella Artois as the star ingredient. The Mexican Wife Beater Cocktail contains Triple Sec, Gold Tequila, Stella Artois and lemon juice.
Sponsorship
Stella Artois has a strong association with film as it has been featured in many movies and sponsored movie channels on the television (see also our article on the Letterkenny brew).
It has also been heavily associated with tennis and has sponsored the Wimbledon tennis tournament many times.
Varieties Of Stella
There is more than one way to enjoy the great taste of Stella Artois. Here are some of the products they offer which are suitable for a wide range of customers.
Original Stella Artois Lager
Ths classic golden lager is available in bottles or on draught. It should be served chilled and it is recommended that you drink it from a Stella Artois glass for the most authentic experience.
Stella Artois Unfiltered
Stella also offers an unfiltered version of their lager. It has a stronger, hoppy taste with more malty notes. It is still smooth and fruity, with more of a tropical cyrus tang. It has a very natural taste which appeals to certain beer drinkers.
Stella Artois Solstice Lager
This special edition lager was created in celebration of the summer solstice, but it was so popular that it is now in permanent production.
It has a slightly lower alcohol percentage than the original Stella Artois, and a very clean taste with notes of citrus. It still has the refreshingly crisp finish that Stella fans will love.
The packaging is golden and clear rather than green, white and red, which really shows off the golden color of the lager.
Gluten Free Stella Artois
Stella have created a gluten free version of their classic lager. This makes it more accessible to people with dietary restrictions.
Alcohol Free Stella Artois
If you are the designated driver or you don’t want to drink alcohol, you can still enjoy the great taste of Stella Artois.
It has fewer carbohydrates and calories than the original Stella, but it still has the crisp, rounded flavor that Stella is known for.
Stella Artois Cidre
If you prefer cider to lager then this is the perfect drink for you. Stella Artois Cider has a fresh apple taste with hints of peach and apricot. This creates a well balanced and delicate cider which is very refreshing.
Summary
Stella Artois is a great example of a premium Belgian pale lager that is incredibly popular not just in Europe but all over the world.
I want to share with you all of my favorites, as well as share advice on picking certain alcohols and flavors.
I hope you enjoy my articles as much as I enjoyed researching them!
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