Kronenbourg 1664
Brasseries Kronenbourg

I drank this beer in Paris when I met my wife there in 2023. It was the only beer available there that was not disgusting. So, if I was not drinking wine, I drank it, and a waiter even told me how to order it in French for the future by just saying 64. So, today I saw it in the beer store, and expected it not to be very good. I drank it back to back with Fiddlehead DIPA, so that put it at a distinct disadvantage. However, it held its own, which really is not surprising considering it is from Alsace-Lorraine, which has been German at various times in its history. It tastes like a good German beer. It is not just Okay.

Presentation: 11.2 ounce bottle poured into a Pilsner glass. Purchased from Total Wine & More.

Look: bright golden color. Three finger frothy foam head that evaporates rather quickly. Minor amount of lacing.

Smell: initially there are fruity notes, such as apple and pear. Followed by notes of grains and bread. Faint hops aroma. The smell is sweet and pleasant.

Taste: notes of malt and fruit primarily. Mild notes of biscuit and grains. There is a bit of skunky flavor as well. Slightly bitter hops aftertaste.

Feel: light bodied. Slightly creamy and bubbly mouth feel. Moderate carbonation.

Overall: this beer is decent, but I think it is considerably better when consumed locally in France. I think many of the ones that are imported to America end up getting skunked due to the green glass bottles, which is unfortunate. I’m not sure it’s worth buying, as there are many more commonly available European pale lagers, which are better. Nonetheless, it is drinkable, and it has some adequate flavors. The distinct fruitiness makes it stand out, which could be appealing to some people. It’s worth trying if you come across it but absolutely not a must have.

Copenhagen 25/5 2015. 33 cl can from Netto. The classic Kronenbourg design in blue, red and white with the "1664" in center on the can.

Pours clear yellow with a mid-sized white head. A bit bubbly. Dissipates fairly quickly to a thin layer of foam struggling to cover the surface of the beer. Moderate lacing.

Aroma of sweet malt, sour grains and metallic alcohol. Sweet pale malts and bread. Hint of cardboard. Whiff of sharp alcohol

Strong carbonation. Thin, watery, lively and fizzy texture.

Flavor is bland and run of the mill industrial lager. Not particularly bad but nondescript and a bit boring.

 

 

 

Sadly, I think this beer falls victim to import in a green bottle. I still don't understand the use of putting lager into green bottles, it never works. Despite the skunkiness, it has a refreshing maltiness to it, as well as a tart apple persuasion. Not terrible, not remarkable. I'll keep hunting for a fresh or canned offering.

Skunky.
Nice malty body and enjoyable mild flavor.
The aroma makes it a bummer for me.

 

 

 

 

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From my favourite LCBO at Tecumseh Mall in nearby Windsor. Best before March 4/26. My second beer from the Obernai, France brewery, and for 2025. Protected for me by Sundae the cat...

 

11.2oz green bottle 5105 J 1256 poured into a pilsner glass at fridge temp 5% ABV. The beer pours bright light gold in color with off white head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. Minimal lacing. The aroma is mild with sweet pale malt and a hint of fruit. The taste is semisweet pale malt with notes of apple or pear before a mildly bitter finish. The feel is thin bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, decent pale lager.