Skip to main content

Stella Artois Brings Midnight Lager to the Masses

Stella Artois’ reputation as a brewery is built on its namesake lager. A crisp, clean beer, Stella Artois leans on a Belgian yeast profile for a bit more bite than its American counterparts and has won the adoration of drinkers in more than 80 countries. The brewery claims 600 years of tradition and its current standing in the pantheon of Anheuser-Busch brands is untouchable. People love their Stella Artois.

But even the most stalwart of legacy brands needs to change and grow. In recent years, Stella Artois has released an apple cider and an alcoholic spritzer. That portfolio expands again this month with the release of Midnight Lager.

stella artois midnight lager
Stella Artois

Midnight Lager is designed for the cooler months of the year when beer drinkers tend to reach for heartier fare. This is the season for porters and stouts — traditionally thicker beers with higher alcohol content. Stella Artois isn’t going that far afield from its flagship quaffable recipe. Midnight Lager is a black lager that retains a mild 5.4% alcohol by volume. Notes of chocolate and coffee are foreshadowed by the beer’s dark coloration. The intended effect is one of warming and comfort without being weighed down by the full mouthfeel or slow carbonation found in thicker brews.

Recommended Videos

The concept of a seasonal brew is actually a return to Stella Artois’ roots. Originally called the Artois Brewery, “Stella” (Latin for “star”) was added to brand the brewery’s first seasonal beer. A Christmas-time brew designed for the citizens of Leuven, this eventually morphed into the Stella Artois lager of modern times.

For the launch of Midnight Lager, the town of Sleepy Hollow, New York will have five hand-picked taverns pouring the new brew on Halloween. After that spooky send-off, Midnight Lager will be available at stores and bars nationwide starting on November 4, 2019.

To learn more about Midnight Lager, visit the Stella Artois website.

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
Enjoy a refreshing beverage: The 13 best lagers to drink
Want to drink a great lager? Seek out some from this esteemed list
Can of Brooklyn Lager beer in between two slices of pizza.

For most Americans, beer is a lager. Those mass-produced, light lagers have long been demonized by a beer movement looking for more flavor. To be frank, lagers are so much more than the watery commodity beers that took over the American brewing industry in the middle of the 20th century. In truth, many lager styles are much harder to brew than their ale alternatives -- and they take longer, which explains why many craft breweries hang their hats on ales.

The fundamental difference is easy: Lager yeast ferments on the bottom, while ale yeast ferments from the top. Fortunately, traditional and new lager breweries alike are crafting refreshing lagers that are readily available across the country. As lager production takes skill, we’ve done our research to bring you the best lagers from well-respected, high-caliber breweries. Pack these lagers into a cooler for an imbibing outdoor cookout with your buddies.

Read more
The best mango cocktails to bring the tropics to your glass
Your drinks need more mango. These recipes will show you the way to tropical paradise.
An ice-cold glass of Mango Basil Margarita on black table.

Mango season is here, which means it's time to give your cocktails the tropical fruit treatment. The vibrant yellow stone fruit affords tons of flavor and works well with a number of spirits. Mango is also incredible refreshing sans booze in a mocktail or classic mango lassi.

While we often talk about mango, as in the flavors we're reminded of when sipping an excellent Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, we don't work directly with the fruit as much as we should. Those who live in sunny states like Florida, California, and Hawaii are fortunate enough to grow their own. But even if you reside elsewhere, mangos are pretty readily available, especially this time of year.

Read more
New Orleans Fest Sets Sustainable Model In “Geauxing Green”
The French Quarter's Opening Day Parade

Mardi Gras may be the most iconic New Orleans celebration, but the Big Easy’s largest celebration of local music actually lands after Easter each year. Over four sound-stuffed days and nights, the French Quarter Festival features 1,700 musicians playing 400 hours of free, local music on 25 stages.

Former Mayor Ernest Nathan Morial, looking to maintain momentum from the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition, founded the French Quarter Festival in 1984. The French Quarter Fest has been the place to immerse in the city’s incredible distinct culture shaped by a dynamic gumbo of African American, Cajun, Caribbean, Creole, French, Spanish, and additional influences. Almost four decades later, organizers not only continued the gathering’s tradition in 2022 (post-pandemic shutdown), but they are shaping a sustainable future and acting as a model for brethren fetes with the Geauxing Green program.

Read more