Kronenbourg 1664 6Pk is a premium French pale lager brewed in Alsace at 5% ABV, sold here as a six-pack of 11.2 oz (330ml) bottles. Winner of a gold medal at the 2004–2005 International Brewing Awards, this lager stands apart through its use of Strisselspalt hops — a rare Alsatian variety known in brewing circles as the "caviar of hops."Quick Facts: ABV: 5% | Origin: Alsace, France | Style: Pale Lager | Brewery: Brasseries Kronenbourg (Carlsberg Group)Production & HeritageBrasseries Kronenbourg traces its roots to 1664, when Geronimus Hatt founded a brewery in Strasbourg, making it one of France's oldest brewing operations. The brewery now operates from Obernai in the Alsace region under Carlsberg Group ownership. Kronenbourg 1664 is a bottom-fermented pale lager brewed with barley malt, wheat, wheat malt, and glucose syrup, but its signature character comes from a selective triple addition of Strisselspalt hops during the brewing process — a technique designed to maximize aroma retention while keeping bitterness low. Strisselspalt hops are indigenous to Alsace's specific terroir and cannot be easily replicated elsewhere, giving 1664 a flavor profile distinct from most mainstream European lagers.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with sweet pale malt and transitions into delicate citrus peel and leafy herbal notes. A subtle floral quality from the Strisselspalt hops lingers beneath, along with a trace of ripe pear.Taste: The first sip brings a pleasing sweetness with honey and light lemon, carried by fine, sharp carbonation. Mid-palate, notes of apple and ripe pear emerge alongside a gentle herbal bitterness. The malt backbone stays clean and balanced, never cloying.Finish: A bittersweet, moderately dry close with lingering honey and fruity endings. The finish is clean and measured, encouraging another sip rather than overwhelming the palate.How to Drink Kronenbourg 1664Serve well-chilled at 38–42°F in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the hop aromatics open up. Straight from the bottle works for casual settings, though glassware rewards the nose considerably. Kronenbourg 1664 also performs well in beer-based mixed drinks: a Shandy (half lager, half lemonade) plays off the beer's existing citrus character; a Monaco — the classic French combination of lager, lemonade, and grenadine — pairs naturally with the honey sweetness; and a Snakebite (half lager, half cider) amplifies the apple and pear notes already present in the beer.Best For Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where a crisp, approachable lager is essential Introducing someone to European-style lagers beyond domestic options Pairing with French or Mediterranean cuisine at a dinner party Stocking a home bar with a reliable, food-friendly lager Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Kronenbourg 1664 taste like? Kronenbourg 1664 delivers a mildly sweet pale malt flavor with notes of honey, lemon, and ripe pear, balanced by a gentle herbal bitterness and a clean, bittersweet finish. It is lighter in bitterness than many lagers due to the aromatic Strisselspalt hops used in brewing.How does Kronenbourg 1664 compare to Stella Artois? Both compete in the premium European lager category, but Kronenbourg 1664 leans more toward fruity sweetness and floral hop aromatics, while Stella Artois tends to be slightly more bitter and grain-forward. Kronenbourg uses Alsatian Strisselspalt hops exclusively, whereas Stella Artois is brewed with Saaz hops in the Belgian pilsner tradition.Is Kronenbourg 1664 good for beginners? Yes — its low bitterness, balanced sweetness, and clean finish make it highly approachable for anyone new to European-style lagers. The 5% ABV is moderate and sessionable.Where is Kronenbourg 1664 made? Kronenbourg 1664 is brewed at Brasseries Kronenbourg in Obernai, located in the Alsace region of northeastern France. The brewery has operated since 1664 and is now part of the Carlsberg Group.What foods pair well with Kronenbourg 1664? Soft French cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the beer's honeyed sweetness. Grilled chicken or white fish work well with the clean malt profile. Quiche Lorraine — an Alsatian classic — is a natural regional pairing. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the lemon and herbal hop notes. Moules-frites (mussels and fries) balance richness against the beer's crisp carbonation.What sizes does Kronenbourg 1664 come in? Kronenbourg 1664 is commonly available in 11.2 oz (330ml) bottles in six-packs, as well as single bottles, 12-packs, and larger-format cans depending on market availability.Is Kronenbourg 1664 worth the price? Kronenbourg 1664 positions as a premium import lager, sitting above domestic options but remaining accessible within the European lager category. The use of rare Strisselspalt hops and a gold medal at the International Brewing Awards support its standing at this price tier.Why Kronenbourg 1664?What separates Kronenbourg 1664 from the crowded premium lager field is ingredient specificity — the Strisselspalt hop, grown only in Alsace, delivers a floral and citrus dimension that mass-market hops simply cannot replicate. The triple hop addition process during brewing is engineered to preserve those aromatics rather than just adding bitterness, resulting in a lager with genuine complexity at an everyday price point. A gold medal at the International Brewing Awards (2004–2005) validated this approach against an international field. With a brewing lineage stretching back to 1664, this is one of the few mainstream lagers that can credibly claim both heritage and a distinct regional terroir.
