Brew Review: Stella Artois

January 29, 2008 - 3:00 pm By John - USMA

On the rare instance I make it to Happy Hour, my choice of beer is usually one that can take the edge off without being too expensive (and complex) or too cheap (and cheap-tasting). I’d say eight times out of ten, Stella Artois does the job.

The pride of Belgium pours a light golden color with plenty of frothy head and bubbles; a grassy, citrus scent gives way to a smell of slightly skunked beer, which isn’t very attractive to say the least. Still, its distinct stink is similar to almost every Euro Pale Lager I’ve encountered, so methinks its hereditary…

Drinking a Stella ice-cold is recommended, as its high carbonation gives it that trademark Stella bite. The taste is slightly bitter, giving way to a light malt flavor that is very refreshing – perfect for those days when casual beer drinking can lead to a long night.

As a pre-game beer, it’s close to perfect: ease in with some Stellas and move on to greener pastures…or stay green.

Stella may be nothing more than a typical Euro Pale Lager for those in the know. To me, ignorance is bliss at times: diving deep into beer appreciation makes some forget that not everybody wants a sophisticated beer; sometimes a good beer at a great value is more than acceptable.

Stella Artois stats:

Smells like: a citrus skunk

Tastes like: a light (and somewhat bitter) standard Euro Pale Ale

Alcohol content: 5.20%, perfect for pre-gaming

Brett says:

January 30, 2008 at 11:14 am

The skunk odor comes from the beer being packaged in green bottles. Light is beer’s enemy, hence most beer is bottled in brown glass to reduce light’s damaging effects (the skunked aromoa. I detect this in any green bottled beer from Yeungling, to Molson, to Heinenken and on and on…

Clark says:

February 10, 2008 at 4:22 am

Brett, your explanation of the “skunky” flavor coming from green bottles seems to make sense until one wonders why Stella that has spent its entire life inside a keg tastes exactly the same. My guess is the real culprit is the hops.

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February 17, 2008 at 9:29 pm

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Alex says:

April 16, 2008 at 6:39 am

HA!
I cant believe what I’m reading!
Stella Artois is more commonly known over here in England as ‘WifeBeater’ because its such an awful awful fighty lager! (NOT beer, as Beer = Ale)
lol
You CrAzY americans!