Stella Artois 22OZ

Stella Artois 22OZ is a 22-ounce bottle of Belgian-style pilsner lager brewed at 5.0% ABV with Noble Saaz hops and malted barley. Winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for World's Best International Lager, this European pale lager has maintained its reputation as one of the most recognized pilsners worldwide since the brand's origins in fourteenth-century Leuven, Belgium.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Leuven, Belgium (heritage)  |  Style: Euro Pale Lager / Pilsner  |  Brewery: Brouwerij Artois (AB InBev)

Production & Heritage

The Stella Artois name traces back to the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, established in 1366, with the "Stella" Christmas beer first brewed in 1926. The brand is now part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, and is produced at multiple facilities for global distribution. The brewing process centers on Noble Saaz hops—the same variety prized in traditional Czech pilsners—combined with malted barley and a proprietary Belgian yeast strain. The wort undergoes a full boil with the Saaz hops, which impart Stella's signature floral and gently spicy hop character, while the yeast fermentation produces a clean profile with subtle fruity undertones and crisp carbonation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh and floral with a distinct spicy hop quality from the Saaz hops. Underneath, there is a soft bready malt sweetness and a faint hint of grain.

Taste: The entry is light and clean with a well-balanced malt sweetness that carries a touch of sweet grain and a subtle berry-like note. At mid-palate, crisp hop bitterness emerges to counterbalance the malt, keeping the beer from tipping toward cloying. The body is light, buoyed by lively carbonation that keeps each sip brisk and refreshing.

Finish: Soft, dry, and clean without lingering hop heaviness. A gentle bitterness fades quickly, leaving behind a faint bready malt impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Stella Artois

Stella Artois is best served cold—ideally between 36°F and 38°F—poured into its signature chalice glass to concentrate the floral aromatics. The 22-ounce format is generous enough to share or enjoy slowly over a meal. For cocktail-curious drinkers, this pilsner works well in a Shandy (equal parts Stella and fresh lemonade for a bright summer drink), a Michelada (its clean bitterness pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire), or a Beergarita (inverted into a frozen margarita, where Stella's dry finish tempers the sweetness).

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a generous 22-ounce pour keeps pace with the food
• Casual dinner pairing with lighter fare like mussels, salads, or grilled seafood
• Watching a match or game with friends who prefer an internationally recognized lager
• Warm-weather gatherings where a cold, crisp pilsner is the crowd-pleasing choice

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stella Artois taste like? Stella Artois delivers a clean, light-bodied pilsner profile with balanced malt sweetness, crisp hop bitterness from Saaz hops, and a soft dry finish. Expect subtle floral and spicy aromas alongside a touch of bready grain and faint fruity notes.

How does Stella Artois compare to Heineken? Both are European pale lagers at 5.0% ABV, but Stella Artois leans slightly drier with a more pronounced floral hop character from its Saaz hops, while Heineken tends toward a more prominent skunky hop note and a slightly sweeter malt backbone. Stella's finish is softer and less bitter than Heineken's, which often carries a lingering grassiness.

Is Stella Artois good for beginners? Stella Artois is an approachable and widely enjoyed pilsner, making it a solid entry point for anyone exploring European-style lagers. Its light body, mild bitterness, and clean finish make it easy to drink without being challenging.

Where is Stella Artois made? Stella Artois originated at Brouwerij Artois in Leuven, Belgium, a brewery with roots dating to 1366. Today, the brand is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev and is brewed at various facilities worldwide, including AB InBev plants in the United States for the domestic market.

What foods pair well with Stella Artois? Classic Belgian moules-frites (mussels and fries), where the beer's dry bitterness cuts through the briny richness. Grilled chicken or fish tacos, which match well with the light body and crisp carbonation. Margherita pizza benefits from the malt sweetness complementing the tomato sauce. A fresh Caprese salad pairs nicely with the floral hop aromatics. Mild cheeses like young Gouda or Havarti echo the bready malt without overwhelming the beer.

What sizes does Stella Artois come in? Stella Artois is available in a range of formats including 11.2oz bottles, standard 12oz bottles and cans, the 22oz large-format bottle featured here, and various multipack configurations.

Is Stella Artois worth the price? Stella Artois positions as a premium import-style lager, sitting above standard domestic lagers but well below craft pilsners in the price spectrum. The 22-ounce format represents solid value for a recognized brand with consistent quality and an international pedigree backed by a World Beer Award.

Why Stella Artois?

Stella Artois earned the 2019 World Beer Award for World's Best International Lager—a distinction that reflects its consistency and broad appeal in a crowded category. The use of Noble Saaz hops gives it a genuine connection to the European pilsner tradition, producing a floral and gently bitter character that many mass-market lagers lack. The 22-ounce format amplifies the experience, offering enough volume to fully appreciate the beer's clean profile over an extended pour. With a heritage stretching back centuries in Leuven and a brewing process that prioritizes a dry, balanced finish, Stella remains one of the most dependable choices in the international lager segment.