Stella Artois Stella 0.0

Stella 0.0 is a non-alcoholic lager from Stella Artois, listed at 0.0% ABV with a bitterness of 18 IBU. That IBU figure is the most useful number on the label. It sits at the gentle end of the scale, so the bitterness should come across as a light, clean snap at the finish and not a lingering hop bite. Non-alcoholic pale lagers like this usually pair a soft, cracker-like malt sweetness with faint grassy or floral hop notes. Expect a crisp, fairly dry profile in that style, with a lighter body than a full-strength lager, because alcohol contributes weight and warmth that a 0.0 beer has to replace with carbonation and malt character. Because the beer is delicate, it shows its best when you give it some attention. Serve it cold, around 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F). That keeps the carbonation lively and the bitterness tidy. Left to warm in the glass, malt-forward lagers without alcohol can drift toward a sweet, worty note. Pour into a clean, chilled pilsner glass or a tall, slightly tapered lager glass to show off the colour and keep a modest head. If you prefer a chalice, the wide bowl suits the Stella Artois style, and it lets the aroma gather. Tilt the glass for the first part of the pour, then straighten it to build about two fingers of foam. At 18 IBU and with a clean malt backbone, it works as an easy partner for a wide range of food. Light, salty and fried dishes suit it best. Fish and chips, grilled prawns, fried calamari and chicken wings all benefit from its carbonation, which cuts through oil, and its low bitterness, which won't compete with seasoning. It also handles a soft cheese board, a margherita pizza, fresh salads with a lemon dressing, and mildly spiced dishes such as chicken tacos. Very hot curries and heavily smoked meats will overwhelm a beer this light, so match it to cleaner flavours. It also suits situations where you want a lager at the table without alcohol, such as a weeknight dinner, a drive home or a mixed group where some guests prefer to skip it. It pours, looks and is served like a regular lager, so it fits in alongside the rest of the table.