Stella Artois 6Pk

Stella Artois 6Pk is a Belgian-style pilsner lager at 5.0% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 11.2 oz (330 ml) bottles. Named World's Best International Lager at the 2019 World Beer Awards, the beer is distinguished by its use of Saaz hops — one of the four recognized noble hop varieties — which contribute a delicate, earthy bitterness and floral character rarely found in mass-market lagers.

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

Production & Heritage

Stella Artois traces its roots to Brouwerij Artois in Leuven, Belgium, a brewery whose history dates to 1366, with the Stella Artois name first appearing in 1926 as a holiday beer ("Stella" meaning star). The recipe calls for just four core ingredients: Saaz hops, malted barley, maize, and water. Extended cold lagering at near-freezing temperatures over several weeks produces the beer's trademark clean, crisp body. In the United States, Stella Artois has been brewed domestically by Anheuser-Busch since 2021, while Belgian production continues at the Leuven and Jupille plants.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh and inviting, with floral and spicy notes from the Saaz hops lifting first, followed by a bready, lightly sweet malt presence. The overall impression is clean and restrained rather than assertive.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly grainy, with malt sweetness arriving early on the palate. At mid-palate, a measured hop bitterness balances the grain, keeping the beer from tipping into cloying territory. The overall profile reads as crisp and well-structured for the style.

Finish: Dry and moderately short, with a soft, clean bitterness that fades without lingering harshness. A subtle bready quality echoes briefly before the palate resets.

How to Drink Stella Artois

Pour into the brand's signature chalice glass — or any wide-bowled goblet — at 36–38°F to let the Saaz hop aromatics open up without the beer warming too quickly. A clean pour with a one-finger head maximizes the floral nose.

• Michelada: The dry, crisp base stands up to lime, hot sauce, and Clamato without becoming cloying.
• Shandy: Mix 50/50 with fresh lemonade; the subtle malt sweetness harmonizes with citrus rather than competing.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Combine with frozen margarita mix — the light bitterness and clean finish cut through the sweetness of the cocktail.

Best For

• Hosting a summer cookout where a crowd-friendly, universally approachable lager is needed
• Pairing with a seafood dinner — especially mussels, a classic Belgian combination
• Offering a step above domestic lagers at a casual get-together
• Stocking a home bar fridge with a reliable, food-versatile pilsner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stella Artois taste like? Stella Artois delivers a balanced profile of bready malt sweetness and moderate hop bitterness, with floral and lightly spicy aromas from Saaz hops. The finish is dry, clean, and crisp.

How does Stella Artois compare to Heineken? Both are European pale lagers at 5.0% ABV, and blind taste tests — including one cited by The Independent — found volunteers could not reliably distinguish the two. Stella Artois tends to lean slightly drier and more floral due to its Saaz hop bill, while Heineken often presents a touch more grassy, skunky hop character.

Is Stella Artois good for beer beginners? Yes — its clean, balanced profile and moderate 5.0% ABV make it one of the most approachable European lagers, with enough hop character to introduce drinkers to pilsner-style bitterness without overwhelming the palate.

Where is Stella Artois made? Stella Artois originated at Brouwerij Artois in Leuven, Belgium, and is still brewed there as well as at the Jupille plant. In the United States, it has been brewed domestically by Anheuser-Busch since 2021.

What foods pair well with Stella Artois? Moules-frites (mussels and fries) is the classic Belgian pairing, with the beer's dry finish cutting through the briny richness. Grilled shrimp or white fish work well because the light malt sweetness complements delicate seafood. Margherita pizza benefits from the beer's crisp carbonation cleansing the palate between bites. Soft, mild cheeses like gouda or brie echo the bready malt character. Light salads with vinaigrette pair naturally with the beer's gentle bitterness.

What sizes does Stella Artois come in? Stella Artois is widely available in 6-packs of 11.2 oz (330 ml) bottles, as well as 12-packs, single 11.2 oz bottles, single and multi-pack 12 oz cans, and larger-format options including 25 oz cans and draught.

Is Stella Artois worth the price? Stella Artois positions itself as a premium import-style lager, priced above mainstream domestic brands but below craft pilsners. For drinkers seeking a consistently clean, well-balanced lager with genuine European pedigree, it represents solid value in the premium lager tier.

Why Stella Artois?

The use of Saaz hops — a noble variety prized in the finest Czech and European pilsners — gives Stella Artois a floral, gently spicy dimension that most mass-market lagers lack entirely. Extended cold lagering over several weeks delivers a level of crispness and clarity that shortcuts in cheaper beers cannot replicate. Its 2019 World Beer Awards gold for World's Best International Lager confirms that the recipe still competes at the highest level of the category. For a lager with brewing roots stretching back nearly seven centuries in Leuven, the six-pack remains one of the most accessible entry points into European beer tradition.