Stella Artois is garbage - Somehow now StarbucksChat (1 Viewer)

[tonydead]

It is usually skunked by the time you get it.  The type and amount of hops, the color of the glass and the amount of time the beer is exposed to UV light will also be determining factors in the skunkiness of the beer.   It is possible for a beer to turn skunky in minutes.  

The problem is even worse for imported beers due to the amount of handling and the time it takes to get here.

It is interesting that Miller actually developed a hop extract that is not susceptible to UV light so their beer never gets skunked even though it is shipped in clear bottles.

Even artificial light can skunk a beer so if a Stella has been sitting in the bright lights of a supermarket it can get skunked.

Not a consumer issue, but a major one on the distribution and retail side.  That big diplay right by the windows in the front of the store isn't the best place to grab your sixer of Corona or Modela.

And in many stores, stuff sits on the shelves FOREVER.  That can actually be a bonus for some bottle conditioned styles or big stouts, but you should probably avoid the year old + bottles of Lagunitas Sucks, for one typically egregious example.

I was being a little bit tongue in cheek.  I understand all that.  I used to live near a liquor store that the Budweiser representative would drive down to every Thursday with same day beer; beer with born on date that day.  I always got some and that Budweiser was by far better than any Bud that was even a week or two old.  It's amazing how much happens in just a few days.  

 

[msommer]

 In fact I really like a Kirin with my Thai food. 

You Rebel you, drinking "Japanese" beer brewed in the US with Thai food...

(Try a Singha next time)

 

[Godsbrother]

I was being a little bit tongue in cheek.  I understand all that.  I used to live near a liquor store that the Budweiser representative would drive down to every Thursday with same day beer; beer with born on date that day.  I always got some and that Budweiser was by far better than any Bud that was even a week or two old.  It's amazing how much happens in just a few days.  

Ahh, okay 

I think a lot of the changes occur due to poor handling and storage.   Some beers actually get better with age (to a point).

 

[tonydead]

I think a lot of the changes occur due to poor handling and storage.  

Same topic:  Coors doesn't pasteurize (at least they didn't last time I checked), that's why they have the refrigerated train cars, yet you still see stores set out boxes of Coors Light in the isle for displays or on an un-refrigerated shelf all the time.  

 

[General Malaise]

Be wary of any beer in clear or green bottles -- sunlight is what "skunks" beer and brown bottles prevent that much better.  For those complaining about "heavy" craft beer or disliking hoppy beer -- just try a different style.  There are plenty of options out there that are light and refreshing without being overly hop forward.  In many cases, craft from a local brewery is better because many styles of beer are much better fresh -- a long journey from the brewery and a long time sitting on a shelf in the store is going to deteriorate most lighter / lower ABV beers and will really hurt hop-forward styles.  As well as the whole "support your locally owned businesses" angle which is important to a lot of folks.  Drink what you like -- but branch out a little and you never know what you'll find.

Really good post here.  Plenty of craft beer makers producing pilsners, lagers, lighter fare that obliterate what's available by the big macros.  I won't pour a Stella out if somebody hands me one and if it's the only thing on tap, that's fine.  But it certainly isn't worth the money they charge for it at the store.  Not even close.

 

[Bob Magaw]

Stella calls its cider "Cidre" so you know that is some fancyassed drank. 

Pabst is marketing a French translated Ruban Bleu.

Lucky Lager = Bier Blonde Chanceux (sounds way classier that way).

Mickey Big Mouth = Mickey Grande Bouche

For wine connoisseurs

Night Train = Train De Nuit 

 

[Northern Voice]

I don't necessarily hate Stella, but I don't see a scenario where I ever actually drink one again because:

1) It often tastes like ### from a bottle

2) There's no chance in hell I'd pay a premium to drink it over anything else, which you have to do to get it on tap.

 

[tonydead]

People keep talking about the price of Stella.  I know it's more expensive in the supermarket and is one reason I don't buy it there.  Do they really charge more for a tap pull than they do for the "American" brands?  I guess I haven't been paying attention.  

 

[Northern Voice]

People keep talking about the price of Stella.  I know it's more expensive in the supermarket and is one reason I don't buy it there.  Do they really charge more for a tap pull than they do for the "American" brands?  I guess I haven't been paying attention.  

It's a big part of their marketing campaign. "Perfection has it's Price", etc...

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I never got the beer snob thing.  I like my beer cold and plentiful, my whiskey a single malt and neat.  I like my women brunette, petite and sans bolt-ons.  I like my transportation to be a pickup.  My wings hot and un-breaded.  I take my steaks rare, my ribs smoked, and my chicken with BBQ sauce caramelized onto it.  That said, if presented with things otherwise than my preference I find the good in the variety.  I swear some of you lose all joy in a thing if it does not meet the criteria you lay down, more often than not, to posture in front of others who don't respect their own opinions, more less yours.

There is nothing wrong with a Nestlé's Tollhouse cookie, a Hershey's bar, or a cold PBR.  Mary Ann was hot.  Fireworks on the 4th of July are sweet. You gourmet, designer, hypercritics are a group I will ever understand.

 

[cstu]

It's a big part of their marketing campaign. "Perfection has it's Price", etc...

Had to google to see if that truly was their slogan. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Had to google to see if that truly was their slogan. 

An older one is "Reassuringly Expensive". I'm not making this up. It's absolutely brilliant marketing.

 

[Buzzbait]

As mentioned upthread, Rochefort 10 and St. Bernardus Abt 12 are available in pretty much any decent beer store, and outstanding, if you want the quad fix without hopping on a plane.

Agree. Both excellent but you have to be OK with a sweet and high ABV beer. If those are in your wheelhouse then both of these fit the bill.

 

[Hang 10]

What premium beer do you guys drink when you're eating way too many hotdogs this weekend? 

 

[[icon]]

What premium beer do you guys drink when you're eating way too many hotdogs this weekend? 

Does not compute.  

If I'm in the hot sun around a pool or lake, I'm drinking about 238 Miller Lites out of a can. 

 

[MattFancy]

If I was going to bash anything to do with beer it would be the beer companies and the stupid sales gimmicks.  Miller lite's vortex neck, wtf is that?  I have an idea: why not put the vortex on the outside of the neck and market it as a pleasure for women.  

The marketing ideas from the big guys are so dumb. The vortex bottle had to be up there on the stupidest idea list. My other favorite was the Coors Light cans that told you when your beer was cold enough to drink. If people don't know when their beer is cold, they have bigger problems.

 

[Hang 10]

Does not compute.  

If I'm in the hot sun around a pool or lake, I'm drinking about 238 Miller Lites out of a can. 

Sure. That's what I think.

I want to hear what these beer sommeliers think though. I'm curious about people that consume food like a garbage disposal but get picky when it comes to beer. You know a sophisticated palate. 

 

[General Malaise]

What premium beer do you guys drink when you're eating way too many hotdogs this weekend? 

Lager or pilsner.

 

[Northern Voice]

Sure. That's what I think.

I want to hear what these beer sommeliers think though. I'm curious about people that consume food like a garbage disposal but get picky when it comes to beer. You know a sophisticated palate. 

I don't understand this argument at all. There are so many brewers out there now that there's no need to ever drink #### like Stella. What will I drink? Who knows, but the first 5 beers listed by this Toronto brewery are readily available throughout the province, all at or near 5% so they can be drank all day and all taste a million times better than Stella. They likely all cost less as well. And there are 50 other breweries within an hour drive of it that offer the same.

 

[[icon]]

The marketing ideas from the big guys are so dumb. The vortex bottle had to be up there on the stupidest idea list. My other favorite was the Coors Light cans that told you when your beer was cold enough to drink. If people don't know when their beer is cold, they have bigger problems.

Wide mouth can was a nice addition. 
Aluminum Pints rule

Vortex neck and cold can indicators are most definitely horrible. 

 

[Hang 10]

Lager or pilsner.

Thanks for narrowing it down. 

 

[MattFancy]

Sure. That's what I think.

I want to hear what these beer sommeliers think though. I'm curious about people that consume food like a garbage disposal but get picky when it comes to beer. You know a sophisticated palate. 

I like my craft beers, don't get me wrong. But I still drink Bud Light, Budweiser, and Michelob Ultra. Why? Because it tastes good to me.

 

[Tom Servo]

Even artificial light can skunk a beer so if a Stella has been sitting in the bright lights of a supermarket it can get skunked.

You mean you guys can buy beer in a grocery store??

Aresident:

 

[Kanil]

It's not great but I wouldn't call it horrible.  It's way down on my list of choices but if it's all they have, I'll drink it.

 

[[icon]]

I DO enjoy pacifico in a bottle with a lime (heresy to some, I know) when hot out as well. 

I think drinking an IPA when the heat index is above 100 degrees should be a punishment reserved for Gitmo residents. 

A Chelada is an underrated summer beer drink, IMO. Not to be confused with a Michelada which disturbingly adds tomato juice. 

 

[Tom Servo]

I don't necessarily hate Stella, but I don't see a scenario where I ever actually drink one again because:

1) It often tastes like ### from a bottle

You have experience with tasting ###?

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

You have experience with tasting ###?

Only from a bottle, sheesh.

 

[General Malaise]

Thanks for narrowing it down. 

Here's my top summer beers, all craft brewed by local Micros (though 10 Barrel is now owned by Bud).  All priced better than Stella and taste better too.  

Liquid Sunshine
Pub Beer Lager
Full Sail Session Lager


Here's a Session IPA that's very light compared to other IPAs.  Best new beer I've had this year.

Also, forgot about Kolsch - Great summer sipper here from Double Mountain.

 

[General Malaise]

Yeah, I still enjoy a nice cold Coors Light on a hot day too.  I've not yet morphed into complete beer snobbery.  

 

[Bob Magaw]

To me, a snob is somebody who looks down at somebody else for one reason or another.

If somebody likes how Schlitz Malt Liquor tastes, more power to them.  I prefer the taste of European beers and have for a long time (Samuel Smiths, Belgians, Guinness, or American beers like Anchor Steam). At the risk of ensuing hilarity in a beer thread, I don't HAVE to drink beer (and don't all the time). When I do, I like to drink good beer BY MY TASTE. I have simple, uncomplicated tastes with food. Burgers. Pizza. Sandwiches. Diner food. Even other booze (greyhound - vodka, grapefruit juice).  

Anyway, sometimes it seems that people who use labels like so called beer snobs (which again, is a misnomer in most cases, imo, most people could care less what other people drink) have turned into what they are criticizing, and have themselves become "anti-snob" snobs and too cool for school. Others must be pariahs if they don't drink Bud, Miller and Coors like them.   

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

If it is provided, I drink whatever is offered and don't complain. If I am buying, I get something I like. I will pay a little extra to have what I like.

 

[JaxBill]

Good summer session IPA
Hi-5

Easy on the Eyes (local)

 

[Hang 10]

I don't understand this argument at all. There are so many brewers out there now that there's no need to ever drink #### like Stella. What will I drink? Who knows, but the first 5 beers listed by this Toronto brewery are readily available throughout the province, all at or near 5% so they can be drank all day and all taste a million times better than Stella. They likely all cost less as well. And there are 50 other breweries within an hour drive of it that offer the same.

I just think it's funny to listen to self righteous beer snobs who are picky only about what they drink.  Stella is garbage! *eats another hotdog that's made of #######s and lips* 

 

[Buzzbait]

I don't understand this argument at all. There are so many brewers out there now that there's no need to ever drink #### like Stella. What will I drink? Who knows, but the first 5 beers listed by this Toronto brewery are readily available throughout the province, all at or near 5% so they can be drank all day and all taste a million times better than Stella. They likely all cost less as well. And there are 50 other breweries within an hour drive of it that offer the same.

This. I don't have one to beer that I'll drink on a hot summer day while grilling. Why? Because there are hundreds of great options that I don't need to pigeon hole my self on a mass produced watered down lager. With that said if I'm at a party and didn't bring my own beer I'm fine drinking whatever is provided. Even a low end beer is well...BEER! If I'm buying though I subscribe to the motto "Life is too short to drink bad beer."

All that said what will I be drinking this glorious holiday that I have in the fridge? Three Floyd's Zombie Dust, Great Lakes Turntable Pils, New Belgium Citradelic Tangerine IPA or maybe even a home brew that I have kegged. All these are great beers that aren't too heavy and go down well on a hot day.

 

[Northern Voice]

I just think it's funny to listen to self righteous beer snobs who are picky only about what they drink.  Stella is garbage! *eats another hotdog that's made of #######s and lips* 

I get your point, but in the context of Stella, we're talking about paying more for an inferior product, I don't this particular one is even about beer snobbery so much as common sense... unless you really like Stella, then of course go nuts. I try not to be critical about what other people drink, but for my money, like Buzzbait says above, there are a lot of options and the vast majority both have better flavour and less cost than Stella.

For your food example, it would be like if i could buy all meat butcher sausage for less than the cost of those lips and ####### hot dogs.

 

[Hang 10]

I get your point, but in the context of Stella, we're talking about paying more for an inferior product, I don't this particular one is even about beer snobbery so much as common sense... unless you really like Stella, then of course go nuts. I try not to be critical about what other people drink, but for my money, like Buzzbait says above, there are a lot of options and the vast majority both have better flavour and less cost than Stella.

For your food example, it would be like if i could buy all meat butcher sausage for less than the cost of those lips and ####### hot dogs.

Tastes are subjective though. Most the craft beers being mentioned in here... I've never heard of. I'm sure I'd like many of them if I tried them. I also think Stella tastes good and don't really feel the need to try every craft brew these days, as the options are pretty much endless. Most the time I just want a beer that's ice cold when it's hot and I'm thirsty. Pretty much any light beer will do at that point. 

 

[mr roboto]

I just think it's funny to listen to self righteous beer snobs who are picky only about what they drink.  Stella is garbage! *eats another hotdog that's made of #######s and lips* 

The #### is wrong with you?  Sorry I offended your ####ty beer tastes.

There are literally hundreds of other beer options I would choose. Hot dogs?  If that's what's on the grill I'll have one. If there are burgers or chicken or brats?  I'll choose those. 

 

[Northern Voice]

 Most the time I just want a beer that's ice cold when it's hot and I'm thirsty. Pretty much any light beer will do at that point. 

Yeah, I get that, I still don't understand why you would pay the Stella premium if you just want any cold light beer. 

 

[Hang 10]

The #### is wrong with you?  Sorry I offended your ####ty beer tastes.

There are literally hundreds of other beer options I would choose. Hot dogs?  If that's what's on the grill I'll have one. If there are burgers or chicken or brats?  I'll choose those. 

You haven't offended me, I just think you're a #####. 

 

[mr roboto]

Lol because I really don't like one beer?  

 

[Hang 10]

Lol because I really don't like one beer?  

No because you feel the need to tell everyone about it. 

 

[Hang 10]

Yeah, I get that, I still don't understand why you would pay the Stella premium if you just want any cold light beer. 

Most the time I don't.  

 

[mr roboto]

  You're free not to read my thoughts chief. 

 

[tonydead]

You mean you guys can buy beer in a grocery store??

Aresident:

Yeah WA changed the law a couple years ago, but, to get it passed taxes went way up.  So, I don't think it's any better than walking out the grocery store, turning the corner and walking into the liquor store.  Plus all those Asians and Indians lost their jobs.

Lots of states you can buy beer just about anywhere, Louisiana and Nevada come to mind.   In New Orleans there are drive through (fast food type) daiquiri shops and you can buy beer or daiquiris in the food court at the mall or at the movie theater.  Drinks to go, just have to put it in a plastic cup.  

 

[Godsbrother]

I never got the beer snob thing.  I like my beer cold and plentiful, my whiskey a single malt and neat.  I like my women brunette, petite and sans bolt-ons.  I like my transportation to be a pickup.  My wings hot and un-breaded.  I take my steaks rare, my ribs smoked, and my chicken with BBQ sauce caramelized onto it.  That said, if presented with things otherwise than my preference I find the good in the variety.  I swear some of you lose all joy in a thing if it does not meet the criteria you lay down, more often than not, to posture in front of others who don't respect their own opinions, more less yours.

There is nothing wrong with a Nestlé's Tollhouse cookie, a Hershey's bar, or a cold PBR.  Mary Ann was hot.  Fireworks on the 4th of July are sweet. You gourmet, designer, hypercritics are a group I will ever understand.

I don't view myself as a beer snob per se cause I'll drink any style: from the hoppiest imperial IPA to Belgian quads, sours, lambics to American lagers.  The only style of beer I really don't enjoy is American light and so I will usually go to wine or cocktails before a light beer.   

 

[Hang 10]

  You're free not to read my thoughts chief. 

Yeah I get how message boards work.  You're also free to keep your thoughts to yourself if you don't like hearing from people that might disagree. 

 

[Coeur de Lion]

I don't view myself as a beer snob per se cause I'll drink any style: from the hoppiest imperial IPA to Belgian quads, sours, lambics to American lagers.  The only style of beer I really don't enjoy is American light and so I will usually go to wine or cocktails before a light beer.   

I like good beer.  I don't care one bit what anyone else likes.  Really, the only person being a d-bag in here is the guy going off the rails attacking people for not liking cheap adjunct lager -- which is pretty much the same thing as blasting someone for preferring a McDonald's hamburger to a prime steak.

 

[mr roboto]

Yeah I get how message boards work.  You're also free to keep your thoughts to yourself if you don't like hearing from people that might disagree. 

 yeah that's what's going on here

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Anyway, sometimes it seems that people who use labels like so called beer snobs (which again, is a misnomer in most cases, imo, most people could care less what other people drink) have turned into what they are criticizing, and have themselves become "anti-snob" snobs and too cool for school. Others must be pariahs if they don't drink Bud, Miller and Coors like them.   

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Come on, you're not going to shotgun Cigar City Jai Alai, even though it's crisp and smooth on a hot summer day.  There have to be beers for funneling too.  They all have their place.