InBev
Belgium, 4% ABV
 
Although it may be relatively new to these shores, Peeterman Artois, named after St Peeter, the patron saint of Leuven, was first brewed in 1794 as the original flagship beer of the Artois Brewery. It was discontinued in the 1950s, but then revived in the UK in late 2006 as a light premium beer made from wheat, barley, malt and coriander (although I’m not so sure coriander has ever been an ingredient particularly demanded by beer drinkers). It has a lower ABV than Stella, and has perhaps been introduced as a response to Stella’s unfortunate association with alcoholic aggression. At a sensible 4%, Peeterman should hopefully avoid Stella’s fate of being bestowed with a notorious spouse-abusing nickname. A posh bar font and classy stemmed glasses will no doubt help Peeterman satisfy the more upmarket drinker. Brasserie Artois had previously introduced Artois Bock to the UK at a hefty 6.2%, and they also brew Stella Artois NA (biere sans alcohol), so the Artois family now caters for a broad range of alcoholic needs. Peeterman itself turns out to be an undemanding beer in all areas, light to the point of watery, not particularly unpleasant, but just rather boring. It’s obviously an Artois response to Beck’s Vier, another 4% variety of a leading brand, and there is a suspicion that the big brewers are seeking to capitalise on the UK’s longer drinking hours and weakness for binge drinking. Containing 23% less alcohol than Stella, Peeterman is a beer they want you to buy one more of. HC