Stella Artois - Stella Artois

CBurtonHannum

Connecticut

2.9/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Probably the best of the on tap Belgian lagers. No surprises either way, but even poor Canadian lagers kill this beer. A bit pricey for what your getting and if there's a choice, I'd pick Dos Equis Amber over The pale girl.
I found it more popular the farther south I traveled and if served ice cold is very refreshing on a hot summer's day.
Frankly, this beer isn't worth any more than one hundred words.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 20:58:20 | More by CBurtonHannum

estlinska

Arkansas

3.4/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

I have had this beer multiple times in my life, usually from the bottle. I usually order it when the choices are fairly slim. This review is from a draft pour as I feel reviewing out of the bottle can be problematic given that it is a green bottle. Perhaps that alone calls for major negatives, but I try to be unbiased.

Pours a deep golden color a little like mildly tarnished gold jewelry. There is a pile of thick frothy head on the top and leaves delicate lacing to the glass. Both the head and the lacing is quick to dissipate. There is lots of good light penetration and just the ever-so-slight chill haze to it. This is the best attribute of the beer. The nose, however, is just average. There is sweet corn smell to it, processed white bread smell reminiscent to when I lived next to the Merita bread factory in downtown Birmingham. I'm not sure if they actually use corn adjunts, but I definitely get that whiff. There is the ever so slight smell of a spicy or herbal hop to the beer that comes and goes. The sulfur smell is slightly more prominent than I would like, and borders on skunkiness, but not quite. Just when I think it smells skunky, it goes away. The taste, like the smell, is just average, but the sulfur notes are much less prominent. The white bread dominates with a tight acerbic bite from the carbonation. Hops are very subdued and slightly spicy; I would assume they are of Noble origin. The mouthfeel is crisp, dry, carbonated and rather refreshing overall, like a premium lager should be. Overall, this beer is average. On tap it is a fairly good lager when the options are limited, but it certainly isn't a world-class lager.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 14:44:12 | More by estlinska

cjnuxoll

California

4.65/5  rDev +51.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

another light, crisp refreshing beer. one thing i hate about stella is the 11 oz bottles, so when you buy a case you spend more for the import and are already two beers light. that rant out of the way, stella is smooth with that hint of burnt after flavor that reminds you it's an import. there's a reason why this is one of the most popular beers in the world - good, smooth-drinking flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 03:26:48 | More by cjnuxoll

Roguer

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Very pale, straw-golden lager. Clear, light head, decent carbonation.
S - Basically no smell, on tap or from the bottle. Nothing bad, certainly, but no noticeable notes.
T - For a mass-market lager, you could do much worse than Stella. It's very drinkable, goes down very easy, and has absolutely no aftertaste. If you like bitter pils, then you won't like Stella; it's a much smoother lager. That, by itself, means it isn't for everyone. There aren't any real subtle notes, but it's got a bright flavor, without overpowering hops.
M - Meh. Look, it isn't bad in the mouth...but it's a lager. It's a little thin, a little light. Certainly nothing bad, but nothing great, either.
O - Again, for a lager - especially a major brewer lager - this is a very drinkable beer. There are only a handful of easily accessible lagers I would opt over this (Spaten comes to mind). If you're looking for complexity...you've grabbed the wrong beer. If you want a decent beer with no real drawbacks, something that pairs well with most food, you could do far worse.

I've had this on tap (pub pint glasses) and bottled (Spiegelau lager and pilsner glasses). It's fine either way. This is often the best lager available on tap for me (locally); not the best BEER, but the best lager. My OA rating is based on that: how good the beer is within its style, or niche.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2013 20:09:01 | More by Roguer

bbluemzbeer

California

3.21/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Had this last night on tap

Appearance; Pours a clear golden yellow , with a minimal thin white head and minimal lacing.

Smells sweet and grainy

Taste : Stella Artois tastes a lot like Olde English , which isn’t a bad thing at all because I very much enjoy the sweet undertones of the Malt Liquor

Mouthfeel: Light and not overly carbonated and very well balnce

Overall : All in all, it's a decent beer better then bud and miller, I will stick with olde English for price point but this not bad beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 15:59:19 | More by bbluemzbeer

HarryPotHead

Maryland

3.14/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - From tap into frosted pint glass, this beer looks like any American adjunct, but gets props for the frothy pure white head and lacing you rarely see from BMC. Little to no carbonation.

S - A little skunky but not overpowering like most euro layers. Nothing special....Malts, skunk, meh.

T - Crisp, clean, and sweet with malts dominating the palate. Nothing complex or risky here...a step up from your avg American lager. Easily sessionable, but I'm wondering about the hangover I might have in the am!

M - Not much to say here....dry finish with an avg amount carbonation.

O - Not horrible. LOL. Pretty safe. Reminds me of what beer would taste like if Bud hooked up with Amstel Light for a one night stand and Bud slipped one past the goalie.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 21:26:13 | More by HarryPotHead

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a Stella Artois glass (tulip?)

A=Richer gold color; more inviting than other lagers.

S=From memory, some sweetness and some peach?

T=Different than I had imagined, with more sweetness and a "Belgian" backbone to it.

M=Rather light, but more body than BMC light beers.

O=I decided to try this as a complement to Buffalo Wild Wings' "Hot" wings, and it did not pair that well. I am not familiar with the style, so my points are geared more towards traditional lagers...better than average flavor, but not nearly as good as many crafts out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2013 02:47:38 | More by dhannes

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.43/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured a gorgeous creamy finger sized head that looked like it was out of a TV commercial. The color was brownish gold and even an orangish in the light.

The scent is weak, a light malt aroma but not much else. The nose is manifested in the taste, light malts but a bready cereal taste in the body.

I find it very nice and very drinkable, a tasty sessionable brew that may not be on BAs Top 100 but ill sit and and drink a few regardless.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 00:42:30 | More by KYGunner

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer is very light in colour and extremely carbonated. The foamy, white head disappears quickly. The smell is kind of like a skunk... but in a good way. The taste is similar to the smell, as it is bitter and kind of like a skunk (again, in a good way). You can definitely taste a bit of malts and nice hop flavours, but it is a pretty light taste overall. A bit too carbonated for me, but still nice.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 01:54:24 | More by NilocRellim

jjamadorphd

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I had a Stella Artois for the first time - finally after having seen so many commercials for this lager I got a chance to partake - I wasn't too impressed.

From the tap it poured an eye-appealing golden color, crisp and clear. The head was white, but small, and it had staying power. The lacing was good too, sticking to the glass all the way down. I couldn't really smell anything but the hops - I was hoping for more, but nope, nothing. Mouthfeel was impressive, it wet my tongue without an overly obnoxious carbonation - that much I liked. It's taste wasn't anything better or worse from some other lagers I've had. In fact, I had to convince myself it didn't taste watery to me. (But just to hedge my bets - I kept it's overall rating at an average lager.)

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 02:06:59 | More by jjamadorphd

Drunkelstiltskin

3.85/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

HUGE difference between on-tap and out of the bottle. One of the most drinkable beers ever made. Clear, golden, and very little head. Smooth and crisp taste, with a very pleasant after taste. Perfect beer to drink to quench your thirst on a hot day. Also, pairs well with food like poultry and fish. Enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 16:53:02 | More by Drunkelstiltskin

iSip

Colorado

2.9/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Stella: Take a Bud, crank up the malt flavor a bit and there you have a Stella. Stella is a good option if you want a basic no frills beer. Recommended. Good news is that you can find this beer served in many bars and restaurants these days. Not always a guarantee that you will get the proper glass as you would in Belguim, but I have seen a sparlking Stella in the proper chalice in pretty remote digs.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 16:15:42 | More by iSip

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Pale gold color. Rising bubbles. A patch of thin foam at the top comprises the only head I've seen. 2.0

Sweet malts with a light grassy/veggie aroma. 2.5

Crisp, sweet pale malts with a touch of veggie character and some aftertaste astringency. Watery taste with a springing bitterness. 3.0

Thin and watery with a pesky soda-like carbonation. 2.0

Generic Euro lager. Best on-tap or in the can. 3.0

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 02:58:47 | More by thecheapies

thydarkprevails

Illinois

2.58/5  rDev -16%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Draft pint at a ball game. Clear golden yellow with a thin white head with surprisingly decent lacing. Aroma is bread, yeast, biscuit, lemongrass, and some spice, probably coriander. Taste is bready, malty, and Belgian yeast with a spicy lemon twist. Kinda adjunct lagerish but ok.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2012 22:46:33 | More by thydarkprevails

dbrauneis

New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap at Earl of Sandwich (EWR) in Newark, NJ

A: Pours a crystal clear bright yellow in color with some very light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall soapy white head that reduces to an extremely thin film with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Moderate aromas of adjunct malts (mostly corn) with some light sweetness. There is a lighter aroma of grassy hops.

T: The taste rather follows the smell, with the flavors of corn adjunct malts being dominant and contributing a light amount of sweetness. Then the light lingering bitterness from the grassy hops becomes apparent. The beer is actually pretty well balanced.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Crisp.

O: Refreshing and easy to drink but has more of the feeling of BMC than craft beer. Very sessionable as the flavors/aromas are not too intense and the ABV is moderate.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2012 11:11:12 | More by dbrauneis

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Server in a pint glass.

Appearance: pure gold, body is light (not to heavy with bubbles) with a (white) head that rose to maybe 1/2".

Smell: light light hop smell.

Taste: creamy like your traditional marzens and I like it, granted I might be getting this because of the luxury to have this on tap. Light hop feel with no real complaints.

Mouth: medium carbonation with crisp smoothness.

Overall: easy beer to drink and like, you can give this o almost anyone and they shouldn't complain. Salud!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2012 19:53:30 | More by BlurryVisi0n

kylehay2004

Florida

3.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Single finger foamy white head on a bright yellow golden body. Decent lacing and retention.

S: pungent and wet sock malts. Some breads but overall light on the nose.

T: breads and pale malts. All dull tastes though a subtle sweetness is in the background but I can't tell what is producing it. No off putting flavors which is nice for this genre.

M: light body and high carbonation.

Overall: True to the style which usually isn't very good. Still drinkable and somewhat refreshing. One of the better members of the genre.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 23:06:55 | More by kylehay2004

aranheaney

New York

3.4/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had at Margaritaville in Niagara Falls while enjoying a Cheeseburger in Paradise while on a weekend getaway with my lovely wife...

Limited on-tap selection so went with the best of the worst:

Served in a Margaritaville 20 oz. weizen glass:

A-Golden, clear with a bit of head and little to no lacing

S-typical euro lager, nothing great

T-fair, again typical lager, maybe some adjunct here

M-crisp and clean

O-before I got into craft this would have been awesome, now it's slighly above average

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 21:52:10 | More by aranheaney

BTFU

Indiana

2.9/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - It was a good rich gold color with a nicely forming head that remained present until about two thirds of the beer had been drank.

S - It had multiple distinct hop scents with a little bit of citrus and some more bitter notes.

T - I have not had a wide variety of Euro PA's so it may be a matter of style that I don't understand, but to me it started out as a good delievery of some very sharp/tangy flavours on a slightly sweet undertone, but the strong sharp after-taste just ruined the experience for me

M - It had a very strong carbonation to it, which didn't help the taste

O - Something I would never want to pick again if there's a selection, but a change of pace is always a good thing

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 23:54:47 | More by BTFU

Popp24

California

2.93/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- Nothing special here just a golden yellow. Head about a quarter of an inch.

S - Doesn't smell like much at all; I got some mild hops.

T - It has a pretty clean taste with a little bit of bitterness but not much. It's not horrible.

M - It's light.

O - This beer is easy to drink and tastes ok. That's about it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 20:26:20 | More by Popp24

rangerred

Tennessee

2.42/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on draft.

Arrived with a thin head and plenty of carbonation bubbles visible in the glass. Color was a medium straw yellow.

Aroma is slightly floral with some grain and yeast.

The flavor is very grainy with some citrus apparent. Lemon in particular. There is also a bit of yeast bite that is not extremely pleasant. Carbonation is high.

Overall it is an ok beer but there are much better Euro pale lagers out there. A nice alternative to BMC though.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 00:32:39 | More by rangerred

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Pale golden. Thin weak lasting head actually leaves some good lacing.
S- The aroma is mild but is grainy, a touch of bland malt sweetness and a bit of bread.
T- It's clean generic sweetness up front. On the whole it's sweet but doesn't have much flavor. There is a papery, slightly oxidize flavor to it.
M- Light body, aggressive carb.
O- It's ok, but for all its name value its not that much better of a pale lager.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 06:23:04 | More by jsprain1

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a nice crystal clear gold color with a thick pillowy head of foam.

S: Aroma is of malt and light hop, citrus smells.

T: Taste is of malts citrus hop.

M: Light and fizzy cleansing the palate.

O: Definitely would have over and over have had this many times and realized have never rated it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 02:37:39 | More by nukem5

EA728

Texas

2.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pre-BA this was my go-to beer. Now I still find it refreshing and relatively cheap, but I rarely pick this up anymore.

A: clear gold color, head is almost nonexistent

S: skunk with a touch of malt

T: still a bit of a skunky flavor, but other than that there's not much else to describe.

M: I still do find it refreshing, but in more of a thirst quenching way as opposed to flavorful.

O: Nothing too special. Only reason I still pick it up is due to nostalgia as it used to be a favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 19:57:13 | More by EA728

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at one of my favorite Chicago restaurants-- Chicago Pizza and Oven-Grinders.
I love everything about this place, except the beer list...

This was served WAY too cold. I let it warm as I ate my salad and Mediterranean bread-- very nice. The beer actually works decently well enough to cut through the spices.
Crisp lager finish is bright and clean with a mild bitterness.
Some floral and spicy hop notes on nose and in the finish.

The body is light and respectably carbed... Light clear straw colored golden. Small white head-- decent retention and lace.

Not bad, for what it is; the Bud of Belgium... But this is only barely a step above standard American adjunct lagers. Considering this was one of those "strange" beers I started put on back about 10 years ago, I'm surprised how much I find it lackluster now... And even more surprised to see I hadn't reviewed it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 21:42:38 | More by AleWatcher