Who Owns Stella Artois?
Stella Artois is owned by Anheuser-Busch, which is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev). AB InBev acquired Stella Artois through its formation from Interbrew in 2004 and merger with Anheuser-Busch in 2008. AB InBev is publicly traded on NYSE under ticker BUD and headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.
Parent Company
Anheuser-Busch
Acquired
2004
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Leuven, Belgium
Who Owns Stella Artois?
- Parent Company: Anheuser-Busch
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2004
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: BUD
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Artois | Anheuser-Busch | Wholly owned |
History of Stella Artois
- Founded: 1926
- Founders: Brouwerij Artois (Sebastien Artois family)
- Acquired by Anheuser-Busch: 2004
Stella Artois traces its origins to 1366, when the Den Hoorn brewery was established in Leuven, Belgium. Sébastien Artois purchased the brewery in 1717 and renamed it Brouwerij Artois, maintaining the hunting horn logo that remains part of the brand's identity today. The Artois family operated the brewery for generations, establishing it as one of Belgium's respected brewing institutions.
Stella Artois beer was first brewed in October 1925 under the code name 'X' and launched in January 1926 as a Christmas beer, named after the Latin word for star ("stella"). Originally intended as a seasonal offering, the beer proved so popular that it became available year-round, with exports to broader European markets beginning in 1930.
The brand grew steadily throughout the mid-20th century, reaching 400 million liters annual production by 1960. In 1988, Brouwerij Artois was a founding member in the merger creating Interbrew, which consolidated several major Belgian brewers. That same year, the brand received a significant packaging redesign emphasizing its heritage with the 1366 date and hunting horn symbol.
Interbrew merged with Brazilian brewer AmBev in 2004 to form InBev, and in 2008, InBev merged with Anheuser-Busch to create AB InBev, the world's largest brewer. Under AB InBev ownership, Stella Artois expanded globally, with production exceeding one billion liters annually by 2006 and introduction of variants like Stella Artois Cidre in 2011.
About Anheuser-Busch
Who owns Anheuser-Busch?
Anheuser-Busch is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), a Belgian multinational brewer headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. AB InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch in 2008 for approximately $52 billion. AB InBev is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels (ABI) and the NYSE (BUD).
Is Anheuser-Busch publicly traded?
No. Anheuser-Busch itself is not separately publicly traded. Its parent company, AB InBev, is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels under ABI and on the NYSE under BUD.
What is Anheuser-Busch's relationship to Budweiser?
Budweiser is Anheuser-Busch's flagship brand, introduced in 1876. It is one of the world's most recognized beer brands and is distributed in over 50 countries. In the United States, Budweiser is produced and distributed by Anheuser-Busch.
What happened to Bud Light in 2023?
In April 2023, Bud Light partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a promotional campaign, which generated significant consumer backlash and a sustained boycott. Bud Light's U.S. volume declined substantially, and Modelo Especial surpassed it as the best-selling beer in the United States. Anheuser-Busch has been working to stabilize Bud Light's market position since.
What were AB InBev's 2025 financial results?
AB InBev reported full-year 2025 revenue of $59.3 billion, up 2.0% year over year, with underlying EPS of $3.73, up 6%. Q4 2025 EPS was $0.95, above consensus estimates of $0.91. Net debt to normalized EBITDA reached 2.87x as of December 31, 2025.
- Founded: 1852
- Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: BUD
Where Is Stella Artois Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Leuven, Belgium
- Manufacturing / Operations: Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia
Brands Owned by Anheuser-Busch
- Bud Light - American light lager beer introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 1982, known for its li...
- Budweiser - American-style pale lager beer produced by Anheuser-Busch, known as "The King of...
- Hoegaarden - Belgian wheat beer known for its refreshing taste with notes of coriander and or...
- Michelob Ultra - American light beer introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 2002, marketed as a superior...
Stella Artois Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Premium Belgian pilsner with authentic heritage dating to 1366
- +Global distribution network ensuring worldwide availability
- +Strong brand recognition as a premium international beer
- +Consistent quality through AB InBev's brewing expertise
- +Distinctive chalice glass enhancing brand experience
- +Backed by significant marketing resources and global campaigns
Considerations
- -Corporate ownership may conflict with craft beer consumer preferences
- -Production moved from original brewery to larger facilities
- -Alcohol content varies by market (5% in US vs 5.2% in Belgium)
- -Premium pricing may limit accessibility in some markets
- -Competition from other premium European imports
- -Limited ability to innovate outside AB InBev's portfolio strategy
Frequently Asked Questions About Stella Artois
Where to Buy
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Stella Artois on AmazonCompetitors to Stella Artois
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ab Inbev | Mexico | 1925 | Mass Market | Latin America | All Genders | |
| Heineken | Netherlands | 1873 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Constellation Brands | Mexico | 1925 | Mass Market | Latin America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Corona
Owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Mexican beer brand known for its light lager served with a lime, one of the best-selling imported beers worldwide.
Heineken
Owned by Unknown Company
Dutch pale lager beer produced by Heineken N.V., known for its distinctive green bottle and red star logo.
Modelo
Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Mexican beer brand including Modelo Especial, America's best-selling beer since 2023.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Stella Artois competes with 3 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Anheuser-Busch Stock Information
Jobs at Anheuser-Busch
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