Stella Artois (InBev)

scrapes in   decent   good   excellent   sublime

Stella Artois (InBev), Artois Bock (Belgium) Introduced late in 2005, Artois Bock represents a move by industry giant InBev to expand the massively popular Stella "brand" into other products, many based on traditional recipes. This is a strong, bottom-fermented beer, with a coppery colour and decent off-white head. The nose is immediately powerful, with malt dominating and a winey character suggesting alcoholic weight and sweetness. On the palate it is smooth and extremely dense and rich, with sweetness the overwhelming impression. Some bitter chicory and lightly chocolaty notes come through, and though this remains a little too sweet without enough hop and bitter presence, it is quite an enjoyable strong beer. 6.2% ABV, 33cl, �1.29, Majestic, Sainsbury's.