Kronenbourg Brewery
Historic French brewery and beer house best known internationally for Kronenbourg 1664.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Kronenbourg Brewery, also known in French as Brasseries Kronenbourg, is a historic French brewing company whose origins date to 1664 in Strasbourg. It traces its beginnings to Geronimus Hatt, who had received his master brewer’s certificate in 1649 and established the Canon Brewery at Place du Corbeau. The business remained associated with the Hatt family for several generations; Hatt’s son Claude continued the brewing trade from 1683. The brewery’s early location beside the Ill River exposed it to recurring floods. In 1850, the operation moved to higher ground in the Cronenbourg district of Strasbourg. That relocation supplied the geographic basis for the name later adopted by the company, although the historical spelling of the district and the modern brand spelling differ. The business expanded through acquisitions and became one of the leading brewers in Alsace. In 1922, after acquiring the Tiger Brewery, the Hatt brewery adopted the name Tigre Bock, reflecting the prominence of the Tiger brand in its portfolio. After the Second World War, the company adopted Kronenbourg as its corporate name and began building an international presence. The brand entered the United Kingdom in 1953, when Kronenbourg was sold there in connection with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Its most important international product is Kronenbourg 1664, a pale lager first brewed in 1952. The name refers to the company’s founding year rather than the product’s launch date. The beer is associated with a blue-and-white visual identity and uses Strisselspalt, an aroma hop from Alsace, in its recipe. The standard formulation is described as 5.5% alcohol by volume in France and some markets, while the United Kingdom version is listed at 4.6%. Ownership changed several times during the consolidation of the European brewing industry. In 1970, Kronenbourg was acquired by Boussois-Souchon-Neuvesel, generally known as BSN, an industrial group that later became part of BSN-Gervais Danone. Kronenbourg subsequently merged with Kanterbräu in 1986, bringing the Kanterbräu brewing business and brands into the combined operation. In 2000, Danone sold Kronenbourg to Scottish & Newcastle for £1.7 billion. Scottish & Newcastle was later divided between Heineken and Carlsberg in 2008, with Carlsberg acquiring Kronenbourg. The brewery’s principal production base is in Obernai, France. The company has also been associated with the Champigneulles brewery site, which was reported as being offered for sale. Kronenbourg 1664 is produced in multiple locations for different markets, including by Heineken in the United Kingdom, Coopers in Australia, and Carlsberg in Ukraine. This distributed production model supports the brand’s international availability while retaining its French identity. Kronenbourg’s portfolio extends beyond its flagship pale lager. It has included Kanterbräu, a lighter pale lager; 1664 Brune; Single Malt, also known in French as Malt d’Exception; Kronenbourg Blanc, a citrus-noted wheat beer; Kronenbourg Premier Cru; Kronenbourg Cold Premier, a draught-only chilled variant in the United Kingdom; and Kronenbourg Red. The company has also described its Obernai brewery as producing a broad range of additional beer brands. In 2015, Brasseries Kronenbourg introduced a new corporate identity designed by the French agency Carré Noir. The identity emphasized the company’s French brewing heritage and its long historical continuity. Today, Kronenbourg operates as part of the Carlsberg Group and remains one of the most recognizable French beer names, combining a mass-market brewing business with premium positioning around Kronenbourg 1664 and related variants.
History
Kronenbourg’s recorded history begins in 1664, when Geronimus Hatt established the Canon Brewery at Place du Corbeau in Strasbourg. Hatt had qualified as a master brewer in 1649. His son Claude, born in 1665, succeeded him in the brewing trade in 1683, continuing a family enterprise that would remain connected with Alsatian brewing for centuries. The original brewery stood near the Ill River, where flooding repeatedly disrupted operations. In 1850, the business moved to the higher Cronenbourg district of Strasbourg. This move was decisive for the company’s later identity: the modern Kronenbourg name derives from the district in which the brewery was relocated. The brewery expanded its regional importance and acquired the Tiger Brewery. In 1922, the Hatt operation changed its name to Tigre Bock, reflecting the prominence of the Tiger brand and its position as a leading brewer in Alsace. Following the Second World War, the company adopted the Kronenbourg name and pursued growth outside France. Its first recorded United Kingdom sales occurred in 1953. The flagship Kronenbourg 1664 lager was first brewed in 1952 and later became the company’s principal international brand. The pale lager is associated with Alsatian brewing heritage and the use of Strisselspalt aroma hops. Its alcohol content varies by market. The company became part of the wider European consumer-goods consolidation trend in 1970, when it was acquired by BSN, later associated with Groupe Danone. BSN itself developed through further mergers, while Kronenbourg continued to operate as a major French brewing business. In 1986, it merged with Kanterbräu, adding another established brewing name and portfolio to the combined company. Danone sold Kronenbourg to Scottish & Newcastle in 2000. In 2008, Scottish & Newcastle’s assets were divided between Heineken and Carlsberg. Carlsberg acquired Kronenbourg, and the brewery has since operated within the Danish group’s international beer portfolio. The company’s principal brewery is in Obernai, France. Production has also been associated with Champigneulles, while Kronenbourg products for particular markets may be brewed under arrangement or within local Carlsberg and partner facilities. The brand’s international manufacturing footprint includes production references in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ukraine. Kronenbourg’s portfolio includes the core 1664 pale lager and several extensions, including 1664 Brune, Blanc, Premier Cru, Cold Premier, Red, and Single Malt. The brewery has also produced or marketed Kanterbräu and a wide range of other beer brands. In 2015, the company refreshed its corporate identity through work by Carré Noir, presenting Kronenbourg as a French brewer with more than three centuries of history. Its continuing commercial identity combines French origin, broad distribution, and premium cues around the 1664 name.
- 2015
New corporate identity launched
[1]Brasseries Kronenbourg introduced a corporate identity designed by Carré Noir.
- 2008
Kronenbourg joins Carlsberg
[1]Carlsberg acquired Kronenbourg as part of the division of Scottish & Newcastle’s operations.
- 2000
Sale to Scottish & Newcastle
[1]Danone sold Kronenbourg to Scottish & Newcastle.
- 1986
Merger with Kanterbräu
[1]Kronenbourg merged with Kanterbräu and incorporated its brewing interests.
- 1970
Acquisition by BSN
[1]Kronenbourg became part of Boussois-Souchon-Neuvesel, later connected with Groupe Danone.
- 1953
First United Kingdom sales
[1]Kronenbourg entered the United Kingdom market in connection with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
- 1952
Kronenbourg 1664 is first brewed
[1]The beer that became the company’s best-known international product was first brewed.
- 1922
Business adopts the Tigre Bock name
[1]After acquiring the Tiger Brewery, the Hatt brewery changed its name to Tigre Bock.
- 1850
Brewery relocates to Cronenbourg
[1]Repeated flooding near the Ill River led the brewery to move to higher ground in the Cronenbourg area of Strasbourg.
- 1683
Claude Hatt succeeds his father
[1]Claude Hatt took over the brewing trade and continued the family business.
Products and positioning
French heritage beer brand spanning mainstream and premium lager segments, with international recognition centered on Kronenbourg 1664.
Pale lager · 1952
Kronenbourg 1664
Kronenbourg 1664 is the brewery’s principal international beer brand and a pale lager first brewed in 1952. It is associated with a French and Alsatian identity, a blue-and-white package design, and the use of Strisselspalt, an aroma hop from Alsace. The beer is listed at 5.5% ABV in its standard French-market form and 4.6% in the United Kingdom. It is produced in multiple locations for different markets.
Pale lager
Kanterbräu
Kanterbräu is a pale lager associated with the brewing business that merged with Kronenbourg in 1986. The beer is listed at 4.2% ABV in the referenced product information.
Dark beer
1664 Brune
1664 Brune is a darker beer extension within the 1664 family. The available reference identifies the product as part of the Kronenbourg range but does not provide a detailed formulation or market history.
Wheat beer
Kronenbourg Blanc
Kronenbourg Blanc is a wheat beer positioned around fruity character and citrus notes. It extends the brand beyond standard pale lager into a more aromatic and refreshing wheat-beer style.
Premium lager
Kronenbourg Premier Cru
Kronenbourg Premier Cru is a stronger premium lager listed at 6.0% ABV. It sits above the core lager in strength and premium-oriented product architecture.
Draught lager
Kronenbourg Cold Premier
Kronenbourg Cold Premier is a super-chilled variant of 1664 listed at 5.0% ABV. The referenced description identifies it as a draught-only product in the United Kingdom.
Specialty beer
Kronenbourg Red
Kronenbourg Red is a red-colored beer extension listed at 4.2% ABV. The available material confirms its place in the broader Kronenbourg range but does not specify its launch date or current distribution.
Specialty lager
Single Malt
Single Malt, referred to in French as Malt d’Exception, is a specialty Kronenbourg beer listed at 6.1% ABV. Its naming emphasizes malt character and differentiates it from the company’s core pale lager offer.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Corporate identity refresh
France · International corporate communications
Brasseries Kronenbourg launched a corporate identity created by Carré Noir. The redesign was intended to reaffirm the company’s French brewing roots and long historical continuity.
Outcome. New corporate identity adopted for corporate communications
- 1953United Kingdom coronation-market introduction
United Kingdom
Kronenbourg was introduced for sale in the United Kingdom in connection with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, establishing an early international market presence.
Outcome. First documented United Kingdom sales
Brand decisions
2015
Corporate identity modernizationOtherBackground
The brewery sought to express its French identity and more than three centuries of history in corporate communications.
Action taken
Brasseries Kronenbourg introduced a new identity designed by Carré Noir.
Aftermath
The refreshed identity became the company’s corporate communications platform.
2008
Transfer to CarlsbergM&ABackground
Scottish & Newcastle’s operations were sold in a transaction involving Heineken and Carlsberg.
Action taken
Carlsberg acquired Kronenbourg.
Aftermath
Kronenbourg became part of the Carlsberg Group and remains within its international beer portfolio.
2000
Sale from Danone to Scottish & NewcastleM&ABackground
Danone divested its Kronenbourg brewing business.
Action taken
Scottish & Newcastle acquired Kronenbourg.
Aftermath
Kronenbourg became part of the British brewing group until Scottish & Newcastle’s operations were divided in 2008.
Reported acquisition price. £1.7 billion (2000)
1986
Merger with KanterbräuM&ABackground
Kronenbourg was consolidating its position in the French brewing market.
Action taken
Kronenbourg merged with Kanterbräu.
Aftermath
The combined business gained the Kanterbräu brewing operation and related brands.
1850
Relocation from the Ill River areaStrategyBackground
Repeated flooding affected the brewery’s original Strasbourg location.
Action taken
The brewery moved to higher ground in the Cronenbourg district.
Aftermath
The relocation supplied the geographic basis for the later Kronenbourg name and created the site associated with the company’s modern identity.
Recent events
- 2015
Brasseries Kronenbourg introduces a new corporate identity[1]
Campaign · Other
The brewery launched a corporate identity created by Carré Noir to reinforce its French brewing identity and long historical heritage.
- 2008
Carlsberg acquires Kronenbourg through the Scottish & Newcastle transaction[1]
M&A
Following the division of Scottish & Newcastle’s operations between Heineken and Carlsberg, Kronenbourg became part of Carlsberg.
- 2000
Scottish & Newcastle acquires Kronenbourg from Danone[1]
M&A
Danone sold Kronenbourg to Scottish & Newcastle in a transaction reported at £1.7 billion.
- 1986
Kronenbourg merges with Kanterbräu[1]
M&A
Kronenbourg combined with Kanterbräu, consolidating the two brewing operations and their beer brands.
- 1970
BSN acquires Kronenbourg[1]
M&A
The French brewer was acquired by Boussois-Souchon-Neuvesel, the industrial group later associated with BSN-Gervais Danone.
- 1953
Kronenbourg enters the United Kingdom market[1]
Other
Kronenbourg was sold in the United Kingdom for the first time in connection with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sources2 sources
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