Stella Artois 25OZ Can

Stella Artois 25OZ Can is a Belgian-style lager brewed at 5.0% ABV, served in a large-format 25oz single-serve can. Winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for World's Best International Lager, this widely recognized European pale lager is built on a recipe rooted in Leuven, Belgium, and distinguished by its use of noble Saaz hops.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Leuven, Belgium (US production under Anheuser-Busch)  |  Style: Euro Pale Lager  |  Brewery: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Production & Heritage

Stella Artois traces its origins to 1366 in Leuven, Belgium, where the Den Hoorn brewery was first established; the Stella Artois name itself debuted as a Christmas beer in 1926. Today owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewing conglomerate, US-market cans are brewed domestically under Anheuser-Busch while following the original Belgian recipe. The brew uses just four core ingredients — Saaz hops, malted barley, maize, and water — with the Saaz hops, a noble variety from the Czech Republic prized for its delicate, earthy, and subtly spicy character, serving as the beer's signature differentiator.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced floral notes courtesy of the Saaz hops, followed by light fruity hints that some drinkers liken to pineapple. A gentle grain sweetness rounds out the bouquet without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is clean and slightly sweet, with a grainy malt character that gives way to balanced noble-hop bitterness at mid-palate. Medium body and refined carbonation keep the texture smooth and approachable, while the bitterness never overwhelms the malt backbone.

Finish: The finish is soft, dry, and crisp — the hallmark of the style. Lingering floral and faintly herbal hop notes trail off cleanly, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Stella Artois

Serve cold, ideally between 38–42°F, poured into a chalice or wide-mouthed glass to release the floral aromatics. Straight from the 25oz can works equally well for casual settings. Michelada: the clean malt profile handles lime, tomato, and hot sauce without clashing. Shandy: Stella's dry finish and moderate bitterness balance well against fresh lemonade. Beer-mosa: the light body and crisp carbonation blend naturally with orange juice for a brunch alternative to sparkling wine.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a large-format can means fewer trips to the cooler
• Watching sports — the 25oz size outlasts a standard 12oz without sacrificing drinkability
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to European-style lager
• Pairing with lighter fare at summer gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stella Artois taste like? Stella Artois delivers a balanced blend of grainy malt sweetness and floral hop bitterness with a clean, dry finish. The Saaz hops contribute subtle earthy and herbal notes rather than aggressive bitterness.

How does Stella Artois compare to Heineken? Both are European-style pale lagers near 5% ABV, and a blind taste test conducted by researchers at Stockholm's School of Economics found the two beers statistically indistinguishable. Stella Artois tends to lean slightly more floral and dry, while Heineken is often described as having a marginally more pronounced skunkiness from its green glass bottles — a factor eliminated in Stella's can format.

Is Stella Artois good for beginners? Yes — its 5.0% ABV, approachable malt sweetness, and restrained bitterness make it one of the more accessible European lagers for newcomers exploring beyond domestic light beer.

Where is Stella Artois made? The brand originated at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, in the 14th century. Cans sold in the US market are brewed domestically by Anheuser-Busch under license from parent company AB InBev.

What foods pair well with Stella Artois? Moules-frites (mussels and fries) are the classic Belgian pairing, with the dry finish cutting through the richness. Margherita pizza benefits from the beer's malt sweetness balancing tomato acidity. Grilled chicken or seafood complement the light body without competing for attention. A simple charcuterie board of mild cheeses and cured meats lets the Saaz hop character come through. Fish tacos with citrus slaw mirror the beer's subtle fruity notes.

What sizes does Stella Artois come in? Stella Artois is widely available in 11.2oz bottles, 12oz cans, the 25oz large-format can described here, and various multi-pack configurations.

Is Stella Artois worth the price? Stella Artois positions as a premium import-style lager, sitting above domestic macro lagers but below craft offerings in price per ounce. The 25oz can format provides solid value within that premium tier, delivering more beer per unit than a standard single-serve.

Why Stella Artois?

Stella Artois earned the 2019 World Beer Award for World's Best International Lager, a recognition that validates its standing in an exceptionally crowded category. The use of Saaz hops — the same noble variety central to Czech pilsners — gives the beer a floral elegance uncommon among mass-market lagers. The 25oz can format doubles as a practical choice: more beer per serve, no light-struck off-flavors, and easy portability. For drinkers seeking a European-style lager with genuine heritage and consistent execution, it remains a reliable benchmark.