Why I went to Strasbourg
Before moving to Montreal in 2013 I tried to see as much of Europe as possible. Just pick a cheap flight from Belfast or Dublin to some great European city and a return flight from some other great city and zig-zag between them on the train for a couple of weeks. One such trip started in Geneva and ended in Brussels. While filling in a few places to visit in between I decided to visit Strasbourg, not for the historical buildings, the museums and the various European institutions there but for the fact that that is where my old favourite beer comes from. Well at least, that’s where it was originally brewed way back in 1664. I spent two days in an Irish bar there because it rained a lot, but I do recommend it for a visit – La Petite France is a very quaint little part of town where I spent most of my time and where the cover picture above was taken. As for Kronenbourg…
No. 4 – Kronenbourg 1664
Kronenbourg 1664 was my drink of choice back home. At least, if I was drinking at home it was my favourite beer for eating pizza and watching football. I don’t recall it being available in too many bars that I would frequent. It was a standard lager, but it was smoother than all the rest, whether it be from a bottle or a tin. Here, in Montreal, I drank it every Sunday with brunch while watching football until the bar decided to discontinue it and sell Beau’s instead. This is another reason as to why I started hunting for new beers. In any case, I tried the Kronenbourg 1664 on draft at McKibbin’s on Bishop street way back in January, hence it being No. 4, but I did a re-tasting as I need to get a picture of it – it’s the same for the Kronenbourg Blanc.
In all honesty, I’ve nothing much to say about this other than that it is a very good light European lager. It’s a nice mix, not too hoppy bitter and a little malty creamy. It’s crisp and refreshing. I’m giving it 7/11, which is high for a lighter lager and is probably just me being a bit nostalgic, but it is a good beer.
No. 5 – Kronenbourg Blanc
I used to quite like Kronenbourg White as well, however, having retried it, I was a little disappointed. It has definite hints of orange and citrus but also borders on something I don’t like too much in white beers. It tastes a little like something you would clean a kitchen with. This is a way I have described some berliner weisse style beers, for want of a better description. It’s not a strong taste by any means but it is something that has not appeared in the better white beers I’ve tasted. It’s getting a 5/11 as I would still suggest it as a comparison to the North American white beers I’ve tried so far.
The catch-up continues, next I’ll try to cover Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks and Kilkenny, which I’ve seen sold together as the Irish collection.
Swimming in beer 