Stella Artois, the best-selling Belgian beer in the world, is introducing Stella Artois Cidre beginning May 13.
Stella Artois Cidre is a crisp, distinctive European-style cider made with apples hand-picked from wine growing regions.
The release of Stella Artois Cidre coincides with the growing cider category in the United States. With the U.S. cider market seeing triple-digit growth, it has become one of the fastest-growing beverage categories in the United States. Early growth in the category was driven primarily by sweeter domestic ciders; this has been balanced of late by a consumer demand for drier, premium European-style ciders. Stella Artois Cidre represents the latter category.
“Cider drinkers are now approaching cider with a sophistication similar to that of wine drinkers,” said Marc Stroobandt, a Belgian master sommelier. “To capture their interest, ciders certainly need to be refreshing and savory, but people also want something a little more complex and distinct, which Stella Artois Cidre offers.”
Stroobant said that similar to white wines, drier ciders such as Stella Artois Cidre are designed to be savored and pair well with chicken, fish and a broad selection of cheeses, including Camembert-style cheeses, English cheddars, semi-firm cheeses such as Gruyere and washed-rind cheeses. Stella Artois Cidre’s tart profile also balances well with Asian and spicy foods and light salads.
Stella Artois Cidre will be fermented in Baldwinsville, New York, using apples picked from wine-growing regions in North and South America.