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Part of the reason for the success of Cronenberg beer lies in the trick that local brewers took advantage of, replacing the letter “C” in the name of the drink with “K” (“Kronenbourg” instead of the French-speaking “Cronenbourg”). Thus, the company’s marketers deliberately misled customers by referring to German quality and technology.
The risky step (it was in the post-war period) paid off: today Cronenberg 1664 is the most popular premium beer in France and a recognizable brand outside of it.
History of the Cronenberg brand 1664
The emergence of one of the leading alcohol brands in the country, the French are obliged to the Alsatian Hutt family, whose representatives have owned a brewery in the center of Strasbourg since the XNUMXth century.
The founding date of the enterprise is considered to be 1664, when the young cooper Jerome, together with his wife Marguerite, founded a small factory “Le Canon”. The family business passed from generation to generation, and in 1947 reached the pinnacle of his craft, releasing the beer that glorified the company.
It is worth noting that Hatt drinks have always been of excellent quality: back in 1876, at the World Exhibition in Paris, they were awarded a gold medal.
Before the Alsatian brewers started producing Cronenberg, they created the luxurious Tigre Bock beer. A light drink with copper highlights, a soft fruity-malty aroma and a velvety taste was served to the table exclusively in elite establishments.
An outstanding product, created in 1921, in just a few years has reached unprecedented popularity and has become the best-selling beer in France. It was he who 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 drink and was not cheap, but the packaging is constantly being upgraded to suit consumer tastes.
In 1948, Kroneberg products were sold in the original Steinie bottles, in 1953 a canned version appeared, in 1963 a modern version with a screw cap. The Kronenburg 1664 stamp itself was put into production in 1952 in honor of the coronation of Elizabeth II.
Exquisite, truly royal, bottle design with embossed numbers on the surface was developed in 2011.
Due to the growing popularity of the new beer, the company began to lack capacity in Strasbourg, so a new factory was built in Auburn.
Today it is one of the largest breweries in Europe and the most significant in France.
Features of beer Cronenberg 1664
The main secret of the unique taste of the brand 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, mixed with purified water.
After filtering the wort, a special variety of Alsatian hops “Strisselspalt” is added to it. It gives the drink refinement, freshness, floral aroma and light bitterness.
To activate bottom fermentation, special yeast is included in the composition, which imparts fruity notes to the product.
After 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.
Next, the drink is given time to reveal its aroma and taste (to ripen), after which it is filtered until a transparent consistency is obtained, poured and packaged.
Types of beer Cronenberg 1664
Kronenbourg 1664 Blonde
A golden, filtered lager with a rich head of foam. Fortress – 4,5-5,5% (depending on the country of production).
Aroma: malty-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 line.
Produced in a branded green bottle with an embossed inscription “1664”.
It harmonizes well with meat dishes, cheeses, salads.
Kronenbourg 1664 White
Pale yellow unfiltered wheat beer with the addition of orange peel and coriander. Fortress: 4,5-5%.
Produced in a blue bottle since 2006. Aroma: spicy, with hints of citrus.
Taste: fruity-malty. Several variations are available in France: 1664 Rosé (pink), 1664 Fruits Rouges (red fruit), 1664 Passion Citron Vert (lime) and 1664 Mûre Myrtille (blackberry, blueberry).
Ideal with seafood, fried and smoked fish, fruit desserts.
Kronenbourg 1664 Gold
Golden copper beer with dark rum and yellow fruit aromas. Fortress: 6,1%.
Taste: malty, full-bodied, with fruity notes, mild bitterness.
Gastronomic couples: meat, game, cheeses, fish, salads. Produced since 2009.
Kronenbourg 1664 Vintage
Vintage beer that combines aromas of malt, caramel, honey and licorice.
Color: golden, with highlights of amber.
Taste: complex, intense, with tones of hops and fruits.
Fortress: 6,7%. Released since 2011. Perfectly harmonizes with meat, cheeses, game, salads.
Kronenbourg 1664 Without Alcohol
Non-alcoholic drinks have been brewed at the enterprise since 2014.
The first was 1664 Blonde Sans Alcool, after 1664 Blanc Sans Alcool. Fortress: up to 0,5%.
In terms of taste characteristics, they are almost not inferior to alcoholic counterparts.
They go well with light dishes: baked fish, vegetables, seasonal salads, poultry, fruit desserts.
Relevance: 23.02.2019
Tags: Beer, Cider, Ale, Beer brands