Stella Artois lager will no longer be imported into the U.S. from Europe by the end of the year, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced today.
The world’s largest beer manufacturer will move production of its biggest import brand to its U.S. facilities as part of a $1 billion investment the company is making in its U.S. operations over the next two years.
Production of 11.2 oz. bottles has already begun, with the first U.S. produced bottles expected to hit the market in time for early summer. Cans and draft are expected to transition to the U.S. by the end of 2021.
“Throughout the pandemic, our advanced planning and proactive actions have put our U.S. supply chain in a strong position; however, we are subject to the instability of the international supply chain when it comes to some of our imports,” Brendan Whitworth, A-B’s U.S. chief sales officer, North America, said in a press release.
“U.S. produced Stella will stay true to the time-honored Belgian recipe, utilizing the three signature ingredients – Saaz hops, malted barley, and water,” Isabelle Seunier, A-B’s head of research and development for North America, added in the release. “As a Belgian Global Brewmaster, it’s my honor to ensure Stella consumers continue to enjoy the premium and unique taste of Stella brewed in the U.S. I worked closely with the Stella Artois Brewmasters in Belgium to brew Stella in the U.S., and our expert U.S. brewmasters will continue to do so.”
As part of that $1 billion investment, A-B said it will expand and upgrade the capabilities across four production breweries — St. Louis, Los Angeles, Newark, New Jersey, and Jacksonville, Florida — to produce Stella Arotis. Additionally, A-B will invest $296 million for the domestic production and distribution of Stella in the U.S. over the next two years.
“This significant investment in our facilities that will enable us to produce Stella Artois in the U.S. will help create and sustain jobs while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring our consumers can continue to enjoy the Stella they know and love,” Whitworth said in the release.
A-B’s U.S. brewing team already produces several Stella Artois offerings, including Solstice Lager, Midnight Lager, and Cidre.
Stella will continue to be produced at A-B’s facility in Belgium for distribution in Europe and other international markets.
A-B also touted the reduced environmental impact of moving production to the U.S., noting that the move will result in a reduction of 7,074 metric tons of CO2 annually.