There’s a beer sold here in Europe, Stella Artois, that’s been given the unfortunate nickname “wifebeater”, because of the terrible hang overs it produces. I can attest to the hangovers, I’m dealing with a headache produced by a mere two cans of the stuff.
This beer is not a high percentage (about 5%), is drunk in no higher quantities or special circumstances than any other beer I or friends drink and the hangovers it produces are not peculiar to me alone, my friends suffer similarly.
So, assuming we’re not drinking this beer in extraordinary quantities and forgetting, is there anything about it that might produce worse hangovers?
I always thought the name referred to the voilent tendencies displayed by drinkers of the stuff when under the influence, not during the hangover stage.
As a bar manager I have often wondered about this on a professional level as well as having engaged in scientific investigation on a “recreational” level by drinking it and assessing my mood, I can say that I have on occasion felt a strange sensation of aggression after several pints of the stuff.
I have also much anecdotal evidence to the fact that this phenomenon tends to have a much reduced affect on regular drinkers of the stuff and will tend to have its most pronounced effect on those who dont drink it regularly (even if that person usually drinks lager of a similar strength).
I also have a friend who suffered terrible depression the morning after drinking a certain brew (the name of which eludes me).
Agreeing with Diablos, in Scotland the name “wifebeater” comes from the fact that it’s reputed to make drinkers more aggressive. Whether that’s a measurable increase in agression compared with other drinks may be apocryphal - I’m hoping someone weighs in with a scientific answer - I’d be fascinated to hear it!
Apparently the beer that caused my friend to feel depressed the next day was Lowenbrau, the clues in the name though i guess… Low-enbrau?? anyone?
I still prefer DanBlather’s nickname of Beetwifer.
I can drink Bass in quantity and not suffer a headache or hangover. But two bottles of Bud, which ordinarily I avoid at all costs but is often the lesser of all evils, like at a baseball game for instance, will give me the mother of all headaches. I just chalk it up to ‘drink crap & feel like crap’, but maybe **Mr Bus Guy ** is onto something.
I don’t know what the funky chemical would be, though.
I drink Stella all the time and have yet to experience a hangover or any other detrimental effects because of it. Stella shouldn’t have any congeners that aren’t present in virtually any other beer.
What I find interesting is that in North America, Stella is marketed as a premium, high class beer (“Setting the gold standard since gold was the standard”), while this thread seems to be suggesting that in Europe it’s regarded as something a lout kicks back before layin’ a whackin’ on the old lady.
Sulfites are often used to stop fermentation on alcoholic beverages and IIRC contributes significantly to the hangover. Fermentation stopped that way generally creates a lower quality product.
Of course, I know you’re joking, so don’t think I really don’t understand what you mean, and how it’s pronounced in the US. However, the correct pronunciation is closer to “Leurven broi” Of course, the ‘r’ isn’t really said, but it kind of sounds r-like with the oe sound from the ‘ö.’ A umlaut U is pronounced “oi” as well.
It, of course, means “Lion’s Brew.” Just thought I’d throw in a quick German lesson.
Why does Stella Artois produce hangovers? It’s God punishing you for drinking that when you could be drinking real beer like Chimay blue or Duvel. The only people I can accept drinking Stella are 18-year old Leuven college students who still live at home.
Oh, wait, GQ. . . perhaps they filter it overly removing yeasts which would have replaced nice B vitamins that your drinking is depleting yourself of. . .
Everytime I fly to Europe (usually British Airlines) I’m served several cans of Stella.
Not the best beer to come out of Belgium, but better than the average macro American brew. I’ve yet to suffer any side effects.
I wonder if it has any rice in it? Some friends of mine get terrible headaches from beer that has rice in it, like Bud.
In the UK at least, its marketed as “re-assuringly expensive”. Its reasonably priced though, in comparison to other lagers. I only had some the other night as it was one of a few beers sold in an off license on the walk home that sold other image conscious beers like Heinekein and that other stuff you drink with a lemon in the bottle.
Maybe I’m being a snob, but in general, the mnainstream ‘lawnmower’ beers will give be a bigger headache than the more expensive ones. This country’s biggest selling beer is VB (it’s what Australians actually do drink instead of Foster’s), and it is like being kosked with a lead pipe the next day. On the other hand, Stella doesn’t bother me at all.
