Birra Stela

Birra Stela is an Albanian beer brand whose origins date to 1994, when it was introduced after the establishment of the Stela & Dorina brewery in Tirana. The brewery was founded by a group of Albanian entrepreneurs led by Stefan Pinguli, with the stated aim of using modern brewing technology and producing beer in line with European standards. Initial output was modest, at approximately 500 litres per day, but the brand developed into one of Albania’s best-known domestic beers. The business was reorganized in 2000 as Stefani & Co. and moved its production facilities to the Tirana–Durrës highway, an important commercial and transport corridor. This reorganization and relocation provided a platform for capacity expansion and broader distribution. Over subsequent years, the producer invested in brewing and packaging equipment and adopted internationally recognized food-safety systems, including HACCP and ISO 22000 certification. These measures supported the company’s positioning as a modern Albanian producer rather than a small local brewery. Birra Stela’s core proposition has traditionally been a mainstream lager for the Albanian market. The producer later broadened its portfolio beyond the original Stela offering. Birra Iliria was introduced in 2013, followed by Cek Pilsner and further craft and dark-beer varieties. In 2023, the business added Stela 0.0%, a non-alcoholic version of the flagship beer, extending the brand into an alcohol-free segment while retaining the Stela name. The producer’s reported annual capacity reached as much as 250,000 hectolitres, equivalent to 25 million litres, and the brand and brewery were estimated to account for approximately 4% of Albania’s domestic beer market. These figures describe the producer’s reported capacity and market position rather than audited sales for a particular year. In 2025, Stefani & Co. was acquired by Eurolab Internacional Grup, which began a modernization programme. In May 2026, the company was reported to have been renamed Iliria Brewery, becoming the producer and owner of the Stela and Iliria brands. Birra Stela therefore sits within a broader Albanian beer portfolio while continuing to function as the group’s established flagship brand. Publicly available reference material provides limited detail about export markets, current management, financial performance, or the precise commercial scope of the modernization programme.

Birra Stela emerged during the development of Albania’s modern brewing industry in the post-communist period. The brand was introduced in 1994 after the creation of the Stela & Dorina brewery in Tirana. A group of Albanian entrepreneurs led by Stefan Pinguli established the operation with the intention of bringing contemporary brewing methods to the local market and producing beer according to European standards. Production began at roughly 500 litres per day, making the early operation relatively small compared with its later industrial capacity. In 2000, the business was reorganized under the name Stefani & Co. and its manufacturing facilities were relocated to the Tirana–Durrës highway. The move placed production close to one of Albania’s principal commercial routes and accompanied a period of expansion. The brewery progressively invested in new brewing and production equipment, increasing its ability to serve the domestic market. It also implemented food-safety management practices associated with industrial beverage production, including HACCP and ISO 22000 certification. For much of its development, Stela lager remained the central product associated with the brewery. The company subsequently pursued portfolio diversification. In 2013, it introduced Birra Iliria, creating a second major beer identity alongside Stela. The portfolio later expanded with Cek Pilsner and additional craft and dark-beer products. This widening range allowed the producer to address several beer styles rather than relying solely on a single mainstream lager. The company also moved into alcohol-free beer. In 2023, it launched Stela 0.0%, a non-alcoholic version of its flagship product. The launch extended the Stela name into a category suited to consumers seeking the taste and brand familiarity of beer without alcohol. By the period covered by the available reference material, the brewery had a reported maximum annual production capacity of 250,000 hectolitres and an estimated share of about 4% of Albania’s domestic beer market. The capacity and market-share figures are presented as reference estimates and are not accompanied by audited financial statements in the supplied material. A significant ownership and corporate-identity change followed in 2025, when Stefani & Co. was acquired by Eurolab Internacional Grup. The new owner initiated a modernization programme for the brewery. In May 2026, the company was reported to have been renamed Iliria Brewery, with the renamed business serving as producer and owner of the Stela and Iliria brands. Public sources supplied for this dossier do not establish a detailed chronology of the modernization work, the current executive team, export operations, or later financial results.

1. 2026Renaming as Iliria Brewery

   In May 2026, the producer was reported to have been renamed Iliria Brewery and to have assumed production and ownership of the Stela and Iliria brands.

   Source
2. 2025Acquisition by Eurolab Internacional Grup

   Eurolab Internacional Grup acquired Stefani & Co. and began a brewery modernization programme.

   Source
3. 2023Stela 0.0% launched

   The brand entered the non-alcoholic beer segment with Stela 0.0%, an alcohol-free version of its flagship beer.

   Source
4. 2013Birra Iliria added to the portfolio

   The producer expanded beyond Stela lager by introducing Birra Iliria.

   Source
5. 2000Business reorganized as Stefani & Co.

   The brewery was reorganized under the Stefani & Co. name and moved its production facilities to the Tirana–Durrës highway.

   Source
6. 1994Birra Stela introduced

   The Stela & Dorina brewery was established in Tirana and introduced Birra Stela, initially producing approximately 500 litres per day.

   Source

A well-known domestic Albanian beer brand positioned around accessible lager, local production, and an expanding portfolio that includes pilsner, craft, dark, and alcohol-free variants.

• Stela lagerLager beer1994

  The original and principal Birra Stela product. It is a mainstream lager associated with the brand’s domestic Albanian identity and has served as the foundation for the producer’s later portfolio extensions.

• Birra IliriaBeer2013

  A beer brand introduced by the producer in 2013 as part of its expansion beyond the original Stela lager. It later became one of the two brands associated with the renamed Iliria Brewery.

• Cek PilsnerPilsner beer

  A pilsner product added as the brewery diversified its beer range. The supplied reference material identifies the product but does not provide detailed information about its recipe, packaging, distribution, or current availability.

• Stela 0.0%Non-alcoholic beer2023

  An alcohol-free version of the flagship Stela beer launched in 2023. It extends the brand into the non-alcoholic segment while using the established Stela identity.

• Additional craft and dark beersCraft and dark beer

  The producer has also developed additional craft-beer and dark-beer varieties. The available reference material does not identify all names, launch dates, formats, or current status of these products.

• 2025Acquisition and brewery modernizationM&A

  The owner of the Stela brand underwent a change after years of production expansion and portfolio diversification.

  What changed. Eurolab Internacional Grup acquired Stefani & Co. and initiated a modernization programme.

  Aftermath. The business was subsequently reported to have adopted the Iliria Brewery name in 2026, with responsibility for the Stela and Iliria brands.

  Source
• 2023Launch of Stela 0.0%Product launch

  The established lager brand expanded into a segment for consumers seeking beer without alcohol.

  What changed. The producer introduced Stela 0.0%, a non-alcoholic version of its flagship beer.

  Aftermath. The launch broadened the Stela portfolio, although the supplied sources do not report sales or market-share effects.

  Source
• 2000Relocation and corporate reorganizationStrategy

  The brewery sought to establish a larger and more commercially positioned production operation after its initial years of activity.

  What changed. The business was reorganized as Stefani & Co. and production was moved to facilities on the Tirana–Durrës highway.

  Aftermath. The relocation preceded later capacity expansion, equipment investment, and the adoption of recognized food-safety systems.

  Source

• 2026Producer renamed Iliria Brewery

  In May 2026, the former Stefani & Co. business was reported to have adopted the name Iliria Brewery and to have become the producer and owner of the Stela and Iliria beer brands.

  Other
  Source
• 2025Stefani & Co. acquired by Eurolab Internacional Grup

  Eurolab Internacional Grup acquired the company behind Birra Stela and initiated a programme to modernize the brewery.

  M&A
  Source

1. Birra Stela
2. Stefani & Co. website