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Beer · Premium & Imported Beer

Stella Artois

Name: Stella Artois
Brand: Anheuser-Busch InBev India

The most expensive mainstream lager in India — and worth it for the Saaz hops alone

Anheuser-Busch InBev India

Distillery

Belgium

Country

5.00%

ABV

8.1/10

Rating

★★★★★

8.1/10

Leuven, Belgium Est. 1926 5.00% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour & Appearance

Pale golden with a fine white head

Nose & Aroma

Saaz hop floral bitterness, clean European malt, faint cereal sweetness and a slight herbal note

Palate & Taste

Medium-light bodied with clean malt and a more defined hop bitterness than any other mainstream lager in India. The Saaz hop character gives Stella a floral, slightly spicy quality that Heineken, Corona and Budweiser do not have. Worth the premium if you drink beer with attention

Finish

Medium-short with a pleasant dry bitterness from the Saaz hops. One of the cleaner finishes among Indian mainstream lagers

History & Background

Stella Artois was first brewed in 1926 in Leuven, Belgium as a Christmas beer. Stella means star in Latin. The festive special proved popular enough to become year-round. AB InBev now brews it globally including in India. In India, Stella sits at the top of the mainstream premium lager tier — noticeably more expensive than Heineken and Corona but with the Saaz hop character and the branded chalice ritual to justify it.

Production & Maturation

Production Method

Made from barley malt, maize and Saaz hops — the Czech noble hop variety known for delicate floral bitterness. Brewed in India to Belgian specifications by AB InBev.

Aging & Maturation

Cold lagered to Belgian standards.

Distillery

Anheuser-Busch InBev India

Founded

1926

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Stella Artois different from other lagers in India?

Stella uses Saaz hops, the noble Czech hop variety prized for its delicate floral bitterness. That gives Stella a more defined hop character than most other premium lagers available in India. The chalice glass and nine-step pouring ritual are also genuine differentiators that lift the experience beyond just the liquid in the glass.

Stella Artois price in India

Stella Artois 650ml costs around Rs 265 in Delhi, Rs 230 in Goa, Rs 285 in Karnataka and Rs 310 in Mumbai. The 330ml can costs around Rs 160 in Delhi and Rs 140 in Goa. Six-packs of the 330ml are available at select large format retail outlets for around Rs 920 in Delhi.

Stella Artois vs Heineken — which is better?

Stella is marginally the more complex beer. The Saaz hop character gives it a more defined bitterness and a slightly fuller body than Heineken. Both are excellent premium lagers. Stella costs about Rs 40 to Rs 50 more than Heineken per 650ml in Delhi. For a beer drinker who pays attention to what is in the glass, Stella is worth the extra spend.

What glass should I use for Stella Artois?

Stella has its own branded chalice that the company promotes with a nine-step pouring ritual. The wide mouth allows the aroma to open. Most bars stocking Stella in India serve it in the correct glass. At home, a chilled pint glass or any wide-mouthed glass works well.

Is Stella Artois brewed in Belgium?

Stella Artois was Belgian originally but is now brewed at AB InBev facilities worldwide including India. The Indian version follows the original recipe including the use of Saaz hops, with quality controlled by the parent company.

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About the Author

Shivam Sharma

I am the founder and editor of The Spirit Atlas. With a deep appreciation for fine spirits, I built this platform to be the most helpful and honest spirits guide for Indian readers — covering everything from Scotch and Indian single malts to rum, gin and tequila, along with prices across every major Indian state. My goal is simple: to make the world of spirits a little more approachable for everyone.

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Last updated: June 2026