Kronenberg 1664 beer: history, features, types
The reason for the success of Kronenberg beer partly lies in the trick used by local brewers to replace the letter "C" in the name of the drink with "K" ("Kronenbourg" instead of the French-language "Cronenbourg"). Thus, the company's marketers deliberately misled customers by making a reference to German quality and technology.
The risky step (it was in the postwar period) paid off: today Kronenberg 1664 is the most popular premium beer in France and a recognizable brand abroad.
History of the brand Kronenberg 1664
The French owe the emergence of one of the country's leading alcoholic brands to the Alsatian Hutt family, whose representatives have owned a brewery in the center of Strasbourg since the XVII century.
The date of the company's foundation is considered to be 1664, when a young cooper Jerome and his wife Marguerite founded a small factory "Le Canon". The family business was passed down from generation to generation, and in 1947 it reached the pinnacle of its craftsmanship, producing the beer that made the company famous.
It is worth noting that Hatt drinks have always been distinguished by excellent quality: back in 1876, they were awarded a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.
Before the Alsatian brewers started producing Kronenberg, they created the luxurious Tigre Bock foamy spirit. A light drink with coppery reflections, a mild fruity and malty aroma and a velvety taste was served exclusively in elite establishments.
The outstanding product, created in 1921, achieved unprecedented popularity in just a few years and became the best-selling beer in France. It became the prototype of the modern Cronenberg.
Creating a new brand, the manufacturer sought to emphasize its democratic character. Alsatian beer has always been a high quality beverage and was not cheap, but the packaging was constantly being modernized to suit consumer tastes.
In 1948, Kroneberg products were sold in the original Steinie bottles, in 1953 a can version appeared, and in 1963 a modern version with a screw-off cap was introduced. Kronenburg 1664 was launched in 1952 in honor of the coronation of Elizabeth II.
The exquisite, truly royal design of the bottle with embossed numbers on the surface was developed in 2011.
Due to the growing popularity of the new beer, the company ran out of capacity in Strasbourg, so a new brewery was built in Auburn.
Today it is one of the largest breweries in Europe and the most significant in France.
Features of Kronenberg 1664 beer
The main secret of the brand's unique taste is the use of selected French raw materials and the preservation of traditional technologies:
High-quality barley is grown in the north-east of France, carefully sorted, malted, crushed, and mixed with purified water.
After the wort is filtered, a special type of Alsatian hop called Strisselspalt is added to it. It gives the drink elegance, freshness, floral aroma and light bitterness.
To activate bottom fermentation, special yeast is included in the composition, which gives the product fruity notes.
At the end of the fermentation process, the mixture is exposed to a low temperature (about 0 °C), the yeast is separated and a "green" beer is obtained.
Then the drink is given time to reveal its aroma and taste (mature), after which it is filtered to obtain a transparent consistency, bottled and packaged.
Types of beer Kronenberg 1664
Kronenbourg 1664 Blonde
Filtered golden lager with a lush foamy head. Strength: 4.5-5.5% (depending on the country of production).
Aroma: malty and hoppy with grassy and fruity notes, light bitterness.
Taste: fresh, dry, soft, with tones of cereals, grains, pastries. The most popular drink in the company's lineup.
It is produced in a branded green bottle with an embossed inscription "1664".
Goes well with meat dishes, cheeses, salads.
Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc
Pale yellow unfiltered wheat beer with the addition of orange peel and coriander. Strength: 4,5-5%.
Available in a blue bottle since 2006. Aroma: spicy, with accents of citrus.
Taste: fruity and malt. There are several variations available in France: "1664 Rosé" (rosé), "1664 Fruits Rouges" (red fruits), "1664 Passion Citron Vert" (lime) and "1664 Mûre Myrtille" (blackberry, blueberry).
Perfectly matches seafood, fried and smoked fish, fruit desserts.
Kronenbourg 1664 Gold
Golden copper beer with aromas of dark rum and yellow fruit. Strength: 6,1%.
Taste: malt, full-bodied, with fruity notes, mild bitterness.
Gastronomic pairings: meat, game, cheeses, fish, salads. Produced since 2009.
Kronenbourg 1664 Millésime
Vintage beer that combines the flavors of malt, caramel, honey and licorice.
Color: golden, with amber reflections.
Nose: complex, intense, with hops and fruit tones.
Alcohol content: 6,7%. Produced since 2011. Perfectly harmonizes with meat, cheeses, game, salads.
Kronenbourg 1664 Sans Alcool
The company has been brewing soft drinks since 2014.
The first was "1664 Blonde Sans Alcool", after "1664 Blanc Sans Alcool". Alcohol content: up to 0.5%.
Taste characteristics are almost as good as those of alcoholic counterparts.
Goes well with light dishes: baked fish, vegetables, seasonal salads, poultry, fruit desserts.
Update: 23.02.2019
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale