Miller Brands launches aged format of St. Stefanus craft beer

Miller Brands, the UK and Ireland subsidiary of brewers SABMiller, launched the beer in the UK in October but it was only available in a 35cl size until now.

The new bottle is the same 7 per cent ABV unpasteurised high fermentation beer but is stored for six months as opposed to a minimum of three. This, Miller Brands said, allows the beer to continue maturing in the bottle until it is opened, adding further depth and complexity to the taste and aroma.

Craft beers​

Lucy Jordan, director of trade marketing at Miller Brands said the launch was due to the increasing popularity of craft beers.

"The specialist beer market is in 21.4 per cent value growth, compared to 3.1 per cent for the total market. St. Stefanus is aimed at consumers who are passionate about craft beer and will seek out new, artisan products for a different taste experience," she said.

"Belgian beers are particularly popular and command a 59 per cent price premium in the on-trade and 52 per cent in the off trade over the average bottled lager, so there is a real opportunity to profit from consumers trading up,” Jordan added.

St. Stefanus​

The beer became part of the Miller Brands’ authentic beer portfolio after a distribution agreement with the Van Steenberge brewery and the Sint Stefanus monastery.

The name of the beer is derived from the monastery at the Belgian Abbey of Ghent and to the Augustinian Order of monks who named the abbey after Saint Stefanus.

SABMiller are also responsible for development of the Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft brands.