I’ve had inconsistencies with Stella in recent years (always at a restaurant). Last time it seemed to have some off flavors and was a little too sweet. Becks (green), is always a crisp and refreshing Euro lager. I’ll give edge to Becks for today, but could change again, as I’ve liked Stella more in the past.
Since there has been discussion about the same brand of beer but brewed in different places (countries) I thought some folks might be interested in the video of a side-by-side tasting of Stella Artois brewed in the UK vs. the original brewery in Belgium. I know that some BAs don't have the inclination to watch a 15+ minute video but it is a worthwhile watch. For those unwilling to watch, you can discern from the video's title: "Why Is UK Brewed Stella Artois Such An Inferior Beer? UK VS Belgium Brewed Stella Artois Review" Cheers!
In the recent past, the US also saw the importation of Carlsberg beer brewed at their breweries in the UK, France and Estonia. In the 1950s, Denmark (so, mostly Carlsberg and their Tuborg brand) was actually the #4 beer importer to the US after Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.
I'll be in Copenhagen next month and I'll get to try Carlsberg fresh at the source... I'm not expecting it to be good or much better than what we get imported here, just saying it's happening lol
The Stella was given to me at a Halloween party. It was however better than the nondescript “non-alcoholic spirit” I also tried that night.
Thank you so much for sharing this video Jack. Stella is a great lager and he outlines all the pertinent details. He even says "There should be no excuse" for the canned version to be subpar because it is the superior packaging for that beer (and most styles of beer if you ask me). Putting beer in green or clear glass is an abomination. Seems like the British brewed Stella in both can and bottle is inferior compared to the Belgian brewed. Damn AB InBev
Stella, not seen Becks in quite a while. Last time I had Stella(a year ago) I thought it was fine for what it was. I don’t hate AAL or beers like that so I guess that’s why ok with it. It tasted like beer and the folks o was around were all enjoying it too. Enjoy
Since you live in France you know that there is a common word, sapide, which means flavorful. Insipide is just its opposite, and it carried over directly into English. Strangely, somewhere the a turned into an i (sapide/insipide), but sapide is a direct carryover from Latin (sapidus). The Petit Robert dictionary notes that etymologically insipide is derived from bas latin, ie, vulgar or commonly spoken Latin, probably in late antiquity. Sapide on the other hand retained its direct links to formally correct Latin. A lot of words in French are like that, deriving from slang or mispronounced Latin. And, yes, both Beck's and Stella are insipide in France.
I get the overall point to be fair, but this here: About sums up my thoughts. It’s likely Stella is different in the US and Europe/belgium and even then it’s still not a great beer to any standards even around here. AAL are normally not for me. I just never purchase them on my own: meaning for home and chilling. Not even for a party as Leffe is 6€ a sixer and do the trick. That’s to say, even Stella ain’t that bad for what it is: an unpretentious yellow beer with few to no flavors and aromas. I mean, some even purchase NA beers so.
Yeah, I drank it occasionally in the late 70s-early 80s when it was labeled "Malt Liquor". No ABV legally listed at the time, Jackson says it was 6.8-7.1%. Carlsberg products were eventually imported by Anheuser-Busch, as noted on these labels from AB's 1986 Annual Report. Years later I tried it again, brewed by Labatt (IIRC) and I thought it had lost whatever I once liked about it.
Ha! You beat me to the punch Jack. I was going to ask if he'd tried Jupiler or Meteor (and how they stack up when compared to Stella). Personally, I don't think either beer is any great shakes, but I'd drink them before I'd drink Stella.
I like Stella. A lot, even. Both the Belgian imported version and the newer American-brewed version. IMO it's the best adjunct lager around and I've even chosen it vs. other similar ones in a blind preference tasting. Hell, I'd probably take Stella over 95% of craft-brewed lagers and some lesser German pilsners, too.
Yes to Jupiler which is the first selling beer in Belgium last I checked/heard. No to Meteor Pils yet. As Domingo just said above - a matter of preference and there’s nothing I can add to “Stella isn’t that bad”, the Belgian brewed one anyway. Cheers.
Agreed. Also, US Stella may be all malt (there's been various discussions the last few years about this). The US site only lists water, barley, and hops as the ingredients.
I'm fine with it whether it is or isn't. For all I know I'd prefer the Belgian version over the US version head-to-head, too. I just know that when they switched over to the new version in the taller/thinner cans, it's been super fresh and it tastes as good as ever in my mind. It's no longer me hoping that it isn't skunked or old. Whatever changes they made capture the essence of what I like in the import version.
Just to double check, you have tasted Meteor Pils? If the answer is yes, did you drink it in country (France) or was it an imported bottle? Cheers!
On tap at their brewery location in Strasbourg. It was part of the food tour we booked through Viator. They make a local, regional dessert at the associated restaurant that's pretty famous. Our guide ordered a couple of beers made there as well, including the pils. It wasn't terrible.
