The French Connection (Kronenbourg 1664)

Member Name: vinodgm

Product:	Kronenbourg 1664
Date:	25/03/02 (253 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Crisp, Well balanced, Very drinkable over long periods

Disadvantages: As with all alcoholic beverages it should be drunk in moderation

My inspiration for this opinion came absolutely by chance. One member, whilst writing a comment on one of my previous opinions, accidentally spilt his Kronenbourg all over his keyboard. So thus was the impetus for this opinion.

Many may be forgiven for thinking that Kronenbourg was a German beer due to its name. I was one of those until I delved a little deeper into the history of this magnificent beer.

Kronenbourg is infact a pure French product. Who could have possibly thought that France could produce a beer with the character that it has.

The numbers 1664 intrigued me and I after doing a bit of research I found out that incredibly in the year 1664 one Mr. Jerome Hatt appended his seal on his first barrel of beer. He eventually went on to start brewing his own brand of beer in the center of the city of Strasbourg at the Canon Brewery. In the 1850’s the brewery was transferred to the higher grounds of Strasbourg known as Cronenbourg. This was because the city center was frequently getting flooded due to the river levels and this was severely hampering the operations of the brewery.

In 1922 the Tiger Brewery entered the fold and the original brewery of Mr Hatt’s began producing “Tiger Bock”. It was only in 1947 that they took up the Kronenbourg name.

Since that time Kronenbourg has grown to become one of the major players in the world beer market and they currently produce over 41% of all of Frances beer.

Kroenbourg were the pioneers in introducing the 33cl. bottles and then the metal cans and have risen to become on of the most popular beers in the world today.

Scottish & Newcastle, who are the second largest brewing group in Europe, currently own Kronenbourg.

Okay now that the history down with so lets get to my appraisal of the beer itself.

Kronenbourg 1664 is a lager beer and is made from the usual water, barley, hops and yeast. All beers are made from th
ese ingredients but the final product is achieved on the method of brewing and the brewing process. Kronenbourg beer is brewed superbly and using the highest quality of ingredients. The yeast is what gives each beer its individual personality and it is each breweries most guarded secret.

The taste of Kronenbourg is crisp and not too strong. It is an extremely refreshing beer and one that you would not mind in the least bit consuming at a rapid pace. Its colour is a clear amber colour and it is referred to in beer terms as a “blond” beer.

As mentioned in some of my other opinions my favourite beers are Heineken and Carlsberg but Kronenbourg does have many similarities to these favourites of mine. It is a very drinkable beer that does not pack a punch like other stronger tasting beers. You can taste all the ingredients but none are over emphasized, which is the case in many beers around today. The perfect balance has been provided in this beer.

Presently it is available at most leading shops and supermarkets. It is available in both cans and bottles. I personally like my beer in a bottle as I feel that the bottle provides a more natural taste to the beer. The cans to be induce a metallic and chemicalish taste. Maybe this is just physiological I really do not know. However if I was given the choice I would most certainly go for the bottles.

Kronenbourg is sold in 25, 33 and 44 cl. bottles and/or cans. The last purchase that I we made was when we had a little outdoor gathering on our lawn. We purchased the 10 x 25cl pack at Tesco for £5.85. Although slightly on the expensive side it is a favourite amongst many of my friends and is certainly worth the extra few pence per bottle.

As far as my viewpoint it is a beer that I would most certainly drink if offered and would enjoy it, since it is the type of beer that I like.

On my Richter Scale I would give this one 8/10. Not bad for a French beer.

N
ow that Scottish & Newcastle have taken over the Kronenbourg Company I am sure that we shall begin to see a lot more of this beer, which has great potential. We might also start seeing a reduction in the price, which would further enhance this beer’s success here in England.

CHEERS !!!!

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