Stella Artois is the UK's favourite Premium lager* despite some spurious claims to the contrary by Carlsberg.

Stuart McFarlane, President of InBev UK, said:

"Let's look at the facts. According to latest independent industry figures Stella Artois remains the UK's best selling premium lager - selling three times more than its equivalent Carlsberg Export.

"It's a good try from Carlsberg. But I wouldn’t want to see the UK’s lager lovers hoodwinked."

The latest AC Nielsen Survey – a regular report that the drinks industry use to measure sales – shows that when comparing like for like, Stella Artois actually exceeds the sales of Carlsberg Export by a factor of three – 16.9% of volume share compared to Carlsberg Export at 4.9%.

According to AC Nielsen's client manager; "As an individual brand Stella Artois remains the GB Off Trade number one Beer brand with volume sales 10% ahead of its nearest rival and value sales 40% ahead."

*SOURCE: Marketing Magazine 19.12.07