Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc 4Pk Cans

Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc 4Pk Cans is a French witbier brewed at 5.0% ABV, sold here as a convenient 4-pack of cans. Brewed with the prized Strisselspalt hop — a rare Alsatian varietal known among master brewers as the "caviar of hops" — this wheat beer holds an 82/100 rating on BeerAdvocate from over 700 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Obernai, Alsace, France  |  Style: Witbier (Wheat Beer)  |  Brewery: Brasseries Kronenbourg

Production & Heritage

Brasseries Kronenbourg traces its origins to 1664 in Strasbourg, making it one of France's oldest brewing operations. Now headquartered in Obernai, Alsace, and owned by the Carlsberg Group, the brewery produces the 1664 Blanc using a wheat beer recipe built on barley malt, wheat, coriander, and sweet orange peel. The defining ingredient is Strisselspalt, an aroma hop indigenous to the Alsace region that thrives only under specific soil conditions and cultivation techniques, contributing delicate floral character and very low bitterness at just 7 IBU.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus peel — primarily lemon and orange — leads into softer hints of coriander seed and lightly toasted wheat. A faint floral, almost rosewater-like nuance lingers in the background.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with lemon, peach, and melon flavors emerging on a smooth wheat malt base. Mid-palate, a gentle coriander spice emerges alongside a lemonade-like tang that balances the beer's natural sweetness. The wheat body keeps the texture creamy without heaviness.

Finish: Clean and pleasantly brief, with mild hop bitterness that never dominates. Lingering citrus zest and a light dusty yeast character leave the palate refreshed.

How to Drink 1664 Blanc

Serve well-chilled, ideally between 38–45°F. A slice of orange on the rim is the classic accompaniment and amplifies the beer's natural citrus character. The Blanc Spritz pairs 1664 Blanc with a splash of Aperol and an orange wheel for a beer-based twist on the Aperol Spritz. A Witbier Shandy — equal parts 1664 Blanc and fresh lemonade — makes for an easy warm-weather drink. For something unexpected, try a Blanc Michelada using lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, where the wheat body and citrus spice stand up to bold savory ingredients.

Best For

• Summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings where refreshment is the priority
• Introducing craft-curious friends to the witbier style
• Pairing with lighter fare like seafood, salads, and brunch
• Stocking a beer fridge with an accessible European wheat beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1664 Blanc taste like? It is a citrus-driven wheat beer with dominant lemon and orange flavors, a subtle coriander spice, and a creamy wheat malt body. The overall impression is juicy and lightly sweet with a clean, refreshing finish.

How does 1664 Blanc compare to Blue Moon? Both are witbiers brewed with coriander and citrus peel, but 1664 Blanc tends to run slightly sweeter with a cleaner, more refined citrus profile. Blue Moon leans a touch heavier on the orange and spice notes with a drier finish.

Is 1664 Blanc good for beginners? Yes — at 5.0% ABV with low bitterness (7 IBU) and approachable fruit-forward flavors, it is one of the most accessible European wheat beers available and a natural starting point for anyone new to the style.

Where is 1664 Blanc made? It is brewed by Brasseries Kronenbourg in Obernai, located in the Alsace region of northeastern France. The brewery, now part of the Carlsberg Group, has roots dating back to 1664 in Strasbourg.

What foods pair well with 1664 Blanc? Grilled white fish or shrimp benefit from the beer's citrus brightness. Goat cheese salads mirror its light, tangy character. Thai green curry plays well against the wheat sweetness and coriander spice. Moules-frites is a classic French pairing that lets the beer's carbonation cut through rich broth. Fresh fruit tarts echo the peach and melon notes in the beer.

What sizes does 1664 Blanc come in? This listing is a 4-pack of cans; the beer is also commonly available in single bottles, 6-packs, and larger multipack formats depending on market availability.

Is 1664 Blanc worth the price? It positions as a slightly premium import wheat beer, sitting above mass-market domestic options but remaining very accessible compared to craft witbiers. The use of genuine Alsatian Strisselspalt hops and traditional witbier ingredients provides legitimate quality at its price tier.

Why 1664 Blanc?

What separates 1664 Blanc from the wider witbier field is its use of Strisselspalt, a hop varietal so geographically limited and difficult to cultivate that it commands the "caviar of hops" distinction among European brewers. That ingredient choice translates directly into the beer's unusually clean, floral bitterness — a marked departure from the heavier spice loads common in Belgian-style whites. Backed by an 82/100 BeerAdvocate rating and over 256,000 Untappd check-ins, the beer has built a substantial global following. For a sessionable wheat beer with genuine French brewing heritage stretching back more than 350 years, 1664 Blanc delivers substance behind its signature blue branding.