Everything about Stella Artois totally explained
Stella Artois is a 5.2%
ABV global
lager first brewed in
Leuven,
Belgium in 1926 as a
Christmas brew, and named
Stella after the
Latin for "star."
Although Belgium is best known internationally for its ales, the so-called "table beers," the bottom-fermented pilsner lagers such as Stella Artois head the list for domestic consumption, making up almost 75% of
Belgian beer production. Stella is promoted as an international brand by its brewer,
InBev. In its home market of Belgium, however, it's marketed, priced and sold as a regular lager. It is brewed in Belgium and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries, including Australia. Much of the Stella Artois exported from Europe is currently produced at InBev's brewery in Belgium, and packaged in the
Beck's brewery in
Bremen,
Germany.
The
Anno 1366 on the Stella Artois logo refers to the origin of brewing in the city of Leuven. The city's tax records dated 1366 mention the existence of a local brewpub called
Den Hoorn, ('Hoorn' in Flemish meaning 'Horn' in English, as is represented in the logo on the beer label). The name
Artois was coupled to the brewery in 1708, when new owner
Sebastian Artois achieved the title of
master brewer. The frame that surrounds the name Stella Artois on the label refers to the traditional style of window frame found in Flemish architecture.
Stella Artois is available on draught and in several packaged sizes, including a 275 ml bottle, 284 ml bottle, a 330 ml bottle, a 440 ml can, a 50cl can, a pint size can known as "La Grande Biere" (568 ml), 66 cl bottle, 70 cl bottle and a 1 litre bottle.
History
1366 - Its origins lie as far back as 1366. Records of taxes exist on Leuven's Den Horen Brewery, a brewery that's still in existence today.
1708 - Sebastian Artois becomes the master brewer at Den Horen.
1717 - Sebastian Artois gives his name to the brewery.
1926 - Stella Artois was launched initially as a seasonal beer especially for the Christmas holiday market.
1930 - The first Stella Artois beer is exported to the European market.
1960 - 1 million hl of Stella Artois is produced annually for the first time.
1993 - InBev open a new fully automated brewery in Leuven.
2006 - Total production volume reaches over 10 million hl annually.
Advertising
Stella Artois' advertising slogan in the United Kingdom is "Reassuringly Expensive." The UK television advertising campaigns have become known for their distinctive style of imitating European cinema and their
leitmotiv inspired by
Giuseppe Verdi's
La forza del destino. The campaigns began with a series of adverts based on
Jean de Florette, moving on to other genres including
war movies, silent
comedy and even
surrealism (for which the slogan was changed to "Reassuringly Elephants"). They have used notable movie directors such as
Jonathan Glazer. The aim is to portray a sophisticated
European culture somewhat belied by the popular conception of the
beer. Many of these ads can be viewed on
YouTube.
In Belgium, Stella Artois is promoted as
Mijn thuis is waar mijn Stella staat and
Chez moi, c'est près de ma Stella (
My home is where my Stella is). Interestingly, in Belgium, Stella is sold as a regular lager and doesn't enjoy the more flattering reputation it has abroad.
Stella Artois is also brewed in
Abbotsford,
Melbourne by
Carlton & United Beverages for the
Australian market under license from InBev.
Stella Artois has had a long association with film. Dating back to 1994 (in the UK), the beer has organized a range of events as well as TV sponsorship of Channel 4 films and a website. Most recently the beer brand has adopted the new identity - Studio Artois. Stella Artois has been a primary sponsor of the film festivals at
Cannes and
Sundance.
Kimbo Slice promoted the beer before winning a fight against opponent
Afro Puff, claiming that "the beer gave me the strength I needed to win".
Further Information
Get more info on 'Stella Artois'.
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