STELLA Artois drinkers are only just realising when the popular beer was really made – and it’s not the date on the can.
Admittedly, boozers probably aren’t scouring the design of the cans when they’re sinking a few of their favourite tipple.
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But Stella fans were shocked when they discovered just when their much-loved beer was actually produced.
Anyone looking at the label on cans and bottles will get a few clues which seem to indicate when the lager was first brewed.
Surrounding the logo on the can there’s the number 1366.
Twitter meme account No Context Brits posted a photo of the drink along with the comment: “It will forever blow my mind that people were drinking Stella in 1366.”
One commentator joked: “It will forever blow my mind that people were drinking Stella in 2022.”
Another user added: “Imagine bringing some peasant up from 14th century and seeing this. It’s like when we see Oreos in Star Trek.”
While a third chipped in with: “I hate to be that guy, but 1366 is the date the brewery opened, not the date the beer was made.”
It may come as a surprise but people in the Middle Ages weren’t supping pints of Stella.
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The official website for Stella Artois states the brewery opened in 1366 and not the date noting the birth of the beer.
Stella Artois explained: “Our story can be seen on every bottle of Stella Artois. If you look closely, hints of our origins are proudly displayed.
“By 1366 roots of our brewing tradition had been established in the city of Leuven, Belgium – which is also where the original Den Hoorn brewery was founded.
“Den Hoorn laid the foundation for the quality taste and standard Stella Artois is known for. The symbol of the Den Hoorn Brewery is proudly displayed in Stella Artois’ cartouche to this day.
“Sebastian Artois was admitted to the Leuven Brewer’s Guild as a Brew Master in 1708, and only nine years later purchased the Den Hoorn brewery.”
To acknowledge the brewing master, his last name was included in the brand.
“In memoriam, you can find his last name on the brewery and every bottle of Stella Artois around the world”, the website said.
The Stella part though came much later.
Skip forward in time to 1926 and a special limited Christmas edition was launched which gained the name ‘Stella’ – meaning star.
“That special batch was the first to officially include ‘Stella’ in its name”, the brand shared. “‘Stella’, meaning star in Latin, pays homage to this original occasion, accompanied by a star on every bottle.
“So next time you see a bottle of Stella Artois, take note of the rich history paired with the rich flavour on and in every bottle.”
Stella then is a 20th century invention and is now enjoyed around the world.
At first it was only available in its home of Belgium but proved to be so popular the brewery started exporting it around the rest of Europe in 1930.
No doubt many beer drinkers will say ‘Cheers!’ to that.
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