Stella Artois Unfiltered Lager Vs Stella Artois Premium Lager Beer

[@TheFiku]

abolutely fantastic work. Really indepth analysis. Love it, recently discovered the channel and just seeing amazing bits and bobs everywhere. All the best from Finland

[@lifestapestry2968]

The filtered stuff is tasteless since it dropped to 4.6%, almost as tasteless as Budweiser. The unfiltered Stella is pretty good, it's a good move as I was thinking recently how Stella had gone down hill over the last few years....

[@hometruthshomie8688]

Quick tip for you Simon! Buy the unfiltered in 330ml bottles because they come in a cardboard box with a carry handle. This will stop the bottles from being exposed to sunlight and skunking. Morrisons currently selling 12 for £9.99. I like it much better than the so called 'original'.

[@JamesSmith-jn1ij]

I agree. I got those packs from morrisons and it's good stuff

[@4evaclapham]

they put the price up and reduced it from 660ml to 620ml they just can not stop shafting us

[@dannyjones44]

i had 6 imported belgian cans at 5.6% the other week in bristol. tasted delicious like real stella. i don't touch the 4.6 piss but just got a crate of this unfiltered to try out

[@seanybizzla]

Brilliant. I remember when summers were long and Stella was 5.2 . But I have no drank it in a long time because of the decent in apv and quality. But today I stumbled across the unfiltered in the supermarket today and thought I Will give it a try . After I cracked it and poured in a glass . Came to mind I will search it up as not seen or heard of before. Lucky I found this video and sipped along in real time . I was scepectal at first but it exseded my expectations. Great vid .

[@discodave69691]

I'm lucky as my local shop gets the imported 5.2% quite regularly which is great. Will definitely try the unfiltered. Excellent review.

[@spinozacelt]

Having tried this now I have to say it’s delicious-WAAAAAY better than the regular UK Stella.Fair enough that’s not difficult but this is really good.Would love to see it in draft.Very noticeable in my local Asda that it sold out in no time.

[@MrScotchpie]

A minutes walk to your car will not cause skunkiness. However I'm drinking now my first unfiltered Stella and I agree with you completely, this is a very good beer. The aroma alone testifies to that.

[@-_-O]

I've exhausted all my local shops of the imported 5.0 & 5.2 standard Stella lager stock. Not only are they stronger but they also taste better!

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

What a fantastic review!

[@vengermanu9375]

Thanks. I'm actually watching this "after" I've just bought a 4 pack of Stella Unfiltered so I'm so glad you said it was a nice beer! Of course if you hadn't I would have probably still have drank it anyway but just not been as happy about it!

[@buttoxbrown]

Both Stella's are fantastic on the perfect draft. I'm on my 2nd keg of unfiltered

[@PaulGBass]

I just saw this and picked it up in Waitrose at £1 a bottle. Glad I did. Just had two in one large glass with a chicken Madras that I made. Really nice. I normally won't touch lager and normally stay with English, Belgian and craft ales. I had a Staropramen the other day, it was awful, brewed in the uk, nothing like the Czech stuff. I had a Budvar, that was ok, not as good as I expected. Of the few lager and pilsner styles I've had this summer, this Stella unfiltered and Pilsner Urquell (which was the genuine stuff) were the best. For vfm at £1 per bottle in Waitrose, this unfiltered Stella could be the best pils/lager deal out there, currently. Ok, Lidl and Aldi *might* have something really good at that price point, but it's usually a lottery with them... For example: I bought two Aldi "craft" ales at around £1.69 a can. One was perfectly decent, the other was the worst beer I've ever drunk in my entire life, utter dross 0/10.

[@daydreamindavey7315]

Just ordered a few of these for the weekend. Hopefully the sun's out so I can enjoy a beer and a book. Thanks for the review.

[@nicks999]

Fantastic review indeed! I never knew about the unfiltered stuff until I just saw it 2 x 660ml bottles for £4.20 in the local Co-op. The lad at the checkout asked me about it, and I said I guess more of the hops and proteins are left in which I guessed (and hoped) would give it a stronger taste, which would please my taste buds. I googled it, and your review came up, and loved the review and I definately agree! I wont be touching the 4.6% filtered Stella now, and this will be my Summer go-to! Thanks again for taking the time to review and compare. Finished this bottle, so off for another while I watch some of your other reviews. Cheers 👍

[@leonskum.5682]

Saw it myself the other day in asda and wondered what it was.

[@simonsaysrewind]

Brilliant... on my shopping list... i not bought stella for years because like you its weak tinny taste i couldn't handle anymore and i thought my taste buds had gone wrong because i gave up smoking 😅

[@james1994jt]

Unfiltered stella, how amazing is it!!!, I absolutely love it, it smells amazing it tastes amazing, will definitely become a best seller, give it a go you will not be disappointed!!

[@speakupreality633]

Lol, boozy! How many you had of this premium beer

[@mrLoftladder]

have not bought Stella for decades, didn't like it at 5% let alone 4.6 yet back in the 80s it was my goto lager. Maybe ill give this unfiltered version a try

[@swingfire23]

Can anyone remember Stella Black from a few years ago? It was positioned as a 'premium' outing on tap only, i remember it being bloody expensive and not too bad tasting for Stella

[@buttoxbrown]

It's over 3 quid a bottle in Scotland

[@terrymanning1]

Great review and spot on. I’m enjoying an unfiltered Stella right now and it’s excellent. Going back to Tesco to buy more tomorrow.

[@terrymanning1]

Further to my previous comment, the Stella Unfiltered that comes in a box of 12x 330ml bottles is noticeably better than the 660ml bottles. Perhaps it’s because it’s in a box and not exposed to light.

[@markcarroll1186]

Half way through a box and couldn't agree more

[@alanclark6218]

Wow, I've been convinced to give it a go. I've got a couple in the fridge for the weekend. Used to love a pint of Stella on draft but that was back in 2002 and 2003. I'm hoping for the best with the unfiltered version.

[@peterlawrence3152]

Will try this. UK standard Stella is muck. The old 5.2 Stubbies were amazing back in the day.

[@Treeb91]

I couldn't agree more with this review, I got one on the off chance thinking it would be a load of rubbish! and to my surprise I was loved every bit of it. I went back to asda a few days later to purchase a few more and couldn't find a single bottle

[@chrisbest3451]

Just a headsup Simon as I am not sure when this change was implemented, however the Stella Unfiltered big bottles are now 620ml as opposed to the original 660ml they were when they first came out and at Asda they have kept the price at £2.30 after putting it up a while ago, more changes being made before our very eyes! We must find a way to stop this constant Shrinkflation/ABV Reduction shenanigans by the multi billion pound companies.

[@paulbws125]

The unfiltered version is so much better 👍🏻I always drink stella and I tried a bottle of the new stuff and loved it. I'm not old enough to remember 5% and above Stella, I wish I could have tried it.

[@MrLaMund]

Totally agree with you: saw this in ASDA the other day and grabbed a few bottles with the hope it was going to deliver…and it does. Went back the next day and bought more! Really hope this is the shape of things to come and other breweries realise we’ve woken up and won’t put our hands in our pockets for poor quality anymore:I know price point can be an issue but this shows what can be done; doubt it’ll stay at this price for long but I’m prepared to pay a little extra for the quality. It’s night and day in comparison to the other dish water. Great review, keep on keeping on.👌

[@joachimogereau4531]

i really doubt they brew them at EC4A 1EN. Its the Budweiser HQ postcode in Central London.🤣

[@oldmonkeynut8302]

£2.30 for the unfiltered Stella in my local Asda but is included in the 4 for the price of 3 which includes £3-£4 craft beer cans.

[@oldmonkeynut8302]

What a waste of money it was too. Seemed to be skunked so poured most down the sink. Will try it again if/when it's in cans.

[@havaska]

@@oldmonkeynut8302 they have it in cans now :)

[@shellydrelly]

I heard that this type of beer is a little more nutritious since the yeast cells have some vitamins and stuff

[@garethmcconville4294]

Great work, I can finally look forward to enjoying my Stella this Christmas by getting the unfiltered version. I was an original Stella drinker and have been so disappointed wirh the watered down crap that has been sold in the shops of late. They should have left it alone, beer was there to be enjoyed! Thanks again 👍

[@PaulMacD1978]

Pints of Stella @ 5.2% was my first go to drink in the mid to late 90s, god knows how I used to go through 6-8 pints. Still enjoy a lager along with pales/IPAs etc so will check out the Unfiltered based on the review. Wouldn't touch the 4.6% with a barge pole. Informative review thanks

[@scottchristie6734]

Picked up Unfiltered after getting a deal on Lidl plus and have been pleasantly surprised.

[@barrypatton6424]

Skunking in the beer makes it smell like weed Simon that's why that word is used, nothing to do with a "skunks backside". Lol. I'll have to pick up a few of these unfiltered though, good review.

[@scottb5907]

And why do you think they named pungent weed, skunk, dummy?

[@barrypatton6424]

@@scottb5907 well that's me told. Hahaha

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Skunk glands can actually smell like weed. Hence the term skunk weed .

[@dantecarp]

Did the beer get skunked so quickly by taking it out into the daylight? Surly not as quick as that?

[@nathanrodriguez780]

Yeah, that just doesn’t seem plausible.

[@davidstorm4015]

not plausible, he's just saying that for effect and to get the point across that green bottles are susceptible.

[@michaelwilson8212]

You only have to look at the difference in the glass as you've poured them both to see the difference in quality......

[@DrLager2000]

The postcodes are are the HQ of AB Inbev I think, and NOT the brewery producing the beer.

[@davidcalvert5849]

£2 30 for a 660ml bottle up here in the North east asdas, might pick one up at the weekend and have a look cheers

[@grahamkennedy4693]

Bought 2 660ml bottles of the filtered stuff tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have went off the original lately and thought I had just got bored of it having been my main tipple for last decade. I thought I’m going to check online for any reviews to see if it was in fact much better or was I imaging it or trying to convince myself that unfiltered was much better. So glad I came across this comparative study as now I know I’m. It going off my head and that it is defo much better. Good review enjoyed that 🍻

[@speakupreality633]

Were you hammered when writing this?

[@Herknungr]

I just bought unfiltered in June, it's a different beer isn't it Simon (much better).

[@Rich.Aardvark]

They still do the 5.2% in Belgium. Cloudy and nice. Water it down now

[@jamie2866]

I always wonder what the Stella in 1366 tasted like

[@atwarwithdust]

Stella in the States is brewed in St Louis and is 5%. Wonder how it stacks up.

[@tonyschiroso8413]

Stella Artois is brewed by Labbats brewery in Canada now I won't see that unfiltered Stella Artois Here in Canada Would love to try it. Cheers

[@FKU7777]

I remember 5.2 in the good old days. Think there was a 4.8 phase too, ie 5.2/5.0/4.8/now 4.6% Got some unfiltered on the pd but not put it on yet.

[@tomwilliams7391]

I don't mind the 4.6% Stella it's very smooth and drinkable, but slightly sweet. I remember the 5.2% UK Stella about 20years ago, it had a much dryer taste and was a much more 'European' tasting beer! I'll definitely be off to Asda to try this unfiltered version

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Drinking one now. It’s probably the best lager I’ve ever had. I’m usually a craft kind of fella.

[@its_Mattyyy]

Had to try this after hating the original (if you can call it that) for years. Very pleasantly surprised with this one. Cheers!

[@rAdaSsaCe]

I refused to buy Stella once they reduced it to 4.6%, even the 4.8% version was a shadow of a once decent Lager. Purchased 3 bombers of the Stella unfiltered at the weekend and quaffed all 3 within 2 hours, absolutely delicious and so much better than the tinny dross that is the UKs contract brewed Stella !

[@Doupyourflies]

I've said this before, I was convinced Belgian 5% Stella was better than UK 4.8%. Did a blind tasting with 3 friends and the 4.8% version was voted better by everyone. We had a ringer in there too, the Nigerian Sohrgum STAR lager, that actually beat both Stellas.

[@Renn13]

wow 3 beers in 2hours???? thats one beer every 40mins

[@um.itsmaka9982]

@@Renn13 what a quaffing

[@BrewOnABike]

Unfiltered is brewed in the UK too though

[@scottb5907]

Have you tried the Stella unfiltered in cans? Seems slightly different to me than the bottled version, and I'd say it's even better.

[@JonathanHeavyside]

Unfiltered bottle version Vs PD version???

[@captaincat1743]

I am a new subscriber. I find your reviews very descriptive - I can almost taste the beer myself. And your enthusiastic style is quite watchable. Keep up the good work, cheers :)

[@JamesSmith-jn1ij]

I have to say I'm a fan of this stuff, slightly more malty, dry and a hint of lemon. More than pleasantly surprised.

[@tedslaughter169]

Great review! There's hope yet for the big brewers. Maybe someone on the board of directors actually tried standard Stella and realized it was pig swill?

[@andrewcarr5923]

It's still UK brewed though so I'll stick with the KROMBACHER/WARSTEINER.

[@johncas1]

So if they brewed it in Belgium the beer would taste different

[@andrewcarr5923]

@@johncas1 Buy a can of the British brewed rubbish against a can of the imported from your local off licence or corner shop it's not in supermarkets and you'll be able to taste the difference.

[@urbansnipe]

The reduction in the ABV was to do with tax they cracked down on alcoholic beverage sales here in the uk by taxing them based on the ABV

[@sambraithwaite9422]

Stella unfiltered is by far one of the best largers on. The market at the moment in my opinion also I think it has a very earthy taste

[@WolfmanWoody]

I used to do a lot of work in Belgium and with my colleagues there we used to drink Stella as our go-to lunchtime beverage. It probably still is good there, but here and like you I have lost all confidence in it. Perhaps because it's brewed here and they've monkeyed around with the recipe too much. BIG mistake! I have tried this new one already and it is superb! It is at the point of recovering my faith in the Stella brand!

[@tomwilliams7391]

Just trying Stella unfiltered now ...it's more like the old 5.2% UK Stella, and the beer they still sell on the continent It's nice, but it's a mystery why they weakened and sweetened the standard Stella, then go to the trouble of launching unfiltered?

[@afc89]

The unfiltered Stella's are much nicer though the bottles not in the cases often get skunked by the light which sadly ruins the taste, if you can buy the cans or the cases

[@BigScubes]

The filtered version is one of those where if somebody comes round yours for a barbeque and leaves one in the fridge, it stays there, until you give it to somebody else or pad it out with something good lol. Looks like they have seen Camden hells and beers like that selling like hot cakes and come to a realisation

[@nickwillson3767]

Love the reviews .... just one correction ...EC4A 1EN is the address of AB Inbevs head office at 90 Fetter Lane in the City of London.

[@lightoftheworld417]

inb4 ASDA leave it out on a pallet on the first day of Spring.

[@Robert-Downey-Syndrome]

Were they cold?

[@jonboy4491]

Bought 4 of these on a whim cause they were 2 for £4 in the coop. Glad I did, probably one of the better lagers I've had in recent times!

[@adrianrycroft6193]

That's when I bought mine also

[@Ngamer834]

The unfiltered version looks more appealing in the glass as well.

[@Txyurda]

Here in texas the Stella is 5 abv idk if it’s just where you’re at or if they changed it back to 5 everywhere

[@spinozacelt]

It’s astonishing how different these beers can be.There is an unpasteurised version of Tennents lager available at Drygate in Glasgow and it’s night and day compared to the usual soapy dreck.Mebbe these brewers are beginning to wise up a little. *heads off to asda*

[@stephengreen9663]

I don't know why they give you that postcode. I take the stuff directly from the brewery for asda as I work for asda. And it's from Magor South Wales. Obviously brewed under licence

[@afc89]

The unfiltered Stella's are very nice, will definitely buy again, normal Stella (4.6) is rubbish, hopefully the pubs start selling the unfiltered stuff soon

[@garethp6845]

Great review Simon, cost of living means I mix the supermarket stuff up with a few craft treats in between, bought 10 cans of this earlier with club card discount after avoiding for ages due to the poor standard of the once great original! It is great to see Stella back up to a relatively premium strength and tasting extremely good. Will now celebrate this discovery with Wander Beyond cellar series stout!

[@oults4585]

Tried this off the back of this review. Lovely stuff 🍻👍.

[@christophercooper6283]

I had an idea of what to expect. Thanks for the clarification. Now on to something a bit more personal and I don't know if it's because I've missed reviewers mention it or if it's because you haven't covered it. Terry Kay from Beer Goggles beer reviews has passed away sometime last year I believe. Can he get a mention if not already? I know you met him at a festival or two? I hope he is resting in peace. Gutted to hear that today!

[@julianpurchase3362]

Another great review, I enjoyed the direct comparison. Will try and get a bottle of the unfiltered, looks and sounds decent. Just for future reference, if you are walking through an ASDA car park carrying two bottles of Stella, you need to be wearing a vest. 😆 Another fine review Simon, keep up the good work. 👍🏼 BOOM!

[@Goozen12]

i hope they brew an Jupiler Unfiltered, that will improve the taste

[@Mephizzle]

Heh, the Belgian Stella Artois is still 5.2% ABV. Guess they make is weaker for the UK market. The glasses should be the chalice tough. We also don't have the unfiltered one in Europe.

[@lightoftheworld417]

I'm Tesco staff and looking through the staff Inform App, unfiltered is on the Tesco Books! Not in my store yet though. I see 600ml Bottle and 12x330ml in bottles, 4 x 330ml bottles, no store in NI has them yet. BTW Simon Boundary in Belfast new change in Head brewer. Ben Hulse from Northern Monk is joining them. Simon what is youe nearest Tesco Ill get back to you on stock.

[@kylereed9309]

When this hits tesco shelves in April it will be my go to beer however I have a week off free from kids and missus end of March so I ordered 24 pint cans of original stella imported from Belgium at 5,2% for £40. Should be a good relaxing break haha 😄

[@andrewcarr5923]

I used to get this from my corner shop, it's light years ahead of the contract brewed shite and at just over £1.65 a tin you've found a right bargain.

[@kylereed9309]

@@andrewcarr5923 that doesn't include my delivery but yeah still on the cheap side for it.

[@kylereed9309]

@GARETH TAYLOR i think I'll be sharing them with a few friends, I am not a alcohol I just like a drink 🍺😆

[@RadeyRads]

Where did you get it imported? i’ve had a look at websites to import it before but couldnt find it

[@jameshartley95]

You hit the nail on the head simon. I am a huge Stella fan. lucky my corner shop gets the import cans still at 5% which is still great!! i tried the unfiltered its also great and i agree 100% on your point when it came to sales. Looks like Stella UK is backtracking FAST! Look on supermarket websites the 4.6% is getting constant 1 ratings which is evidence. also here in Leeds ASDA the unfiltered is £2.30 and the 4.6% is £1.80.

[@mattbuk]

It was £2.30 for the unfiltered Stella at my local Asda 😞

[@tonyb7748]

I agree the Unfiltered bottling isn't bad at all. Not a summertime go to for me but I woud'nt mind a six pack here and there.

[@mofoman360]

Cheers 🍻 for the review I saw this on the ASDA website and was wondering if I should give it a go and after seeing this I think I will give it a go

[@HdHd-hp6qz]

Yep just drank it and it’s strong asf

[@mattbuk]

Have to admit the normal Stella is mine and the misses regular weekly beer. Unless I have a nice ipa in. Maybe it’s because I’ve had it for years that I enjoy it. Not saying it’s the best larger, as I prefer a Peroni over this all day long for example. But I don’t think it’s that bad or maybe it’s me 😂😂😂

[@NiceOneBrother667]

Just got my self 3 bottles really nice 👌🏻

[@NigelFortune]

I quite liked Stella when i was a young drinker in the early eighties. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole now..

[@jamesprice4647]

Is it unpasteurised as well?

[@eatchocolate9713]

The Stella in Belgium is still the original 5,2%. I also have some bad news about the brown Stella bottles they've been replaced by the green ones in Belgium.

[@realaleguide]

Thats completely crazy, people won't buy it in green bottles?

[@eatchocolate9713]

I have no idea about sales volumes, but no other belgian belgian beers have followed them. For which I am very happy because it just feels wrong

[@dannyboy1237]

Skunking is to do with a "Cannabis like" smell that a beer has... Not the animal skunk lol

[@jonbibby9755]

Haha, finally someone points it out!

[@theefishlippedone]

and can be a plus, see Becks

[@jonbibby9755]

@@theefishlippedone agreed and also Tsingtao really benefits from it, it's something about that flavour with the sweetness of the beer which is great with Chinese food 👌 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

The Hop and the Cannabis plant are cousins

[@LFC9]

I love the Unfiltered! Got 2 boxes of it from Morrissons for Christmas but I think I'll a get some more in 🍻

[@seanjames3578]

Whitbread used to brew it at 5.2%

[@johncas1]

Ec4a 1en is a London postcode it's the head office

[@thomashaworth1740]

If brown bottles doesn’t cause light strike or skunking how come breweries still decide to use green/clear bottles despite it harming their product?

[@realaleguide]

Marketing, the owners think green or clear bottles sell better.

[@thomashaworth1740]

@@realaleguide that, in my opinion, is absolutely ridiculous!

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Adding ascorbic acid gets rid of the skunkiness apparently. Corona is full of it .

[@jontrewfrombarry]

You should invest in some plain sleeve glasses so we can see the difference without the ribbing or dimpling in the glasses

[@4evaclapham]

you are spot on, the filtered version is foul, the unfiltered stella is so nice I find that I drink it much slower it is that enjoyable

[@ryanbaxter5779]

Great review mate, just bought a box to buy

[@germannava8580]

Still 5%abv in USA

[@fester.]

just hope they make a 50l keg,supposed to be really nice

[@benniethai7829]

I tried unfiltered in Bangkok and I like it. I drink LEO lager in Thailand and Stella unfiltered tastes the same. Original Stella is not good anymore.