Beer Glorious Beer!! (Kronenbourg 1664)

Member Name: dcoare

Product:	Kronenbourg 1664
Date:	19/12/03 (175 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong distinctive taste, Averages around 5.1%

Disadvantages: A little pricey

Kronenbourg 1664 was named so after the brewery that formed in 1664 in a place called Cronenbourg by the Hatt family. They developed what has now become one of the favoured little tipples of Europe.

Kronenbourg 1664 was specially launched in the UK to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

So, enough with the history, what does it mean to me!

Kronenbourg 1664, in my mind, is only rivalled by Stella Artois for its strength and flavour. Having said that, I prefer 1664 without a doubt. Stella often comes across too strong, and you cannot drink it warm. (It really tastes like sick)

Many of the current pubs across the UK are now stocking K1664 as it is widely recognised as an alternative to Stella, but not as weak as your Carling’s, Castlemaine’s and Foster’s.

As I am currently sampling the immense texture and flavouring, I thought that I should say a few words to point you in the right direction.

----Taste----

The web site reveals that the taste is actually a mixture of flowery hops, with grapefruit. I beg to differ. I cannot taste grapefruit at all, just that unmistakable flavour of strong beer. There is an aftertaste that is slightly fruity, but not particularly grapefruit. And where on earth do the flowers come in? Slightly lighter than Stella, but with just as much kick, you don’t end up with such a thick head.

----Froth----

A creamy froth very similar to Stella.

----Colour----

The liquid is a golden yellow colour, again very similar to Stella.

----Odour----

This is where I do have to agree with the official website. It describes the odour as “Citrus fruit & Malt odour, with a touch of yeast”. This is very true. Although the citrus fruits aren’t apparent in the taste, they are definitely there in the smell. A refreshing smell which makes me think of many an enjoyed night out.

----Packagin
g----

Kronenbourg 1664 comes in many handy sizes:-

25cl Bottles
330ml Bottles
440ml Cans
750ml Bottles (my absolute fave!!)

and, of course, are also available over the counter of most bars in pints and half-pints.

----Overall----

I can’t hype this lager up enough. This has been my ruin since the first time I sampled it (way back in 1995). The taste is subtle, but strong. You don’t feel like you’ve been throwing your money away (like I do with lesser beers such as Foster’s).

In some ways, the only downside is the price. A pint of this fabulous beer in my hometown of Leicester will set you back around about £2.50. This may not seem that expensive elsewhere in the country, but in Leicester it is top whack.

Having said that, I regularly buy 24 packs of the 25cl bottles from Asda at around £9, which I think is a bargain.

Check out the Kronenbourg site at www.k1664.co.uk for more info, and play the Guillotine game for a laugh.

Thanks for reading.

Damon.

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