Elements of the Kronenbourg 1664 logo directly indicate the country of origin of the lager. The emblem pays tribute to the centuries-old traditions that have been preserved since the recipe’s creation and invites you to try the world’s oldest beer.
Meaning and History
Kronenbourg 1664 is the most popular French lager globally, and Kronenbourg Brewery is the largest division of the Carlsberg Group. The name of the beer brand reflects the year Geronimus Hatt opened the Brasserie du Canon. In 1947, the company was renamed in honor of the Kronenbourg district, where it relocated in 1850 due to frequent floods on the river. Its flagship brand, which sells premium beer at 5.5% alcohol (in the UK) and 5% alcohol (in the rest of Europe), has been given a similar name.
The manufacturer positions Kronenbourg 1664 as the oldest lager and claims that its original recipe dates to 1664, when the Geronimus Hatt brewery was founded. But experts question this fact because the world’s first premium lager appeared only 200 years later. The most likely year the beer brand appeared is 1952. It is assumed that the brewery brewed the first batch of Kronenbourg in 1664 to pay tribute to its founder, Hatt, and to celebrate the ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II of England.
The drink is sold in bottles of a unique shape with a label that seals the neck. It is decorated with a large white oval logo on two crossed ribbons. It has changed only once in the brand’s history.
What is Kronenbourg 1664?
This premium French beer is brewed in Strasbourg (Alsace), a historic brewing center. It stands out for its unique blend of Strisselspalt hops, often called the “caviar of hops,” which gives this golden lager a delicate, aromatic flavor with notes of citrus and herbs, evoking French refinement. The beer has gained wide recognition beyond France for its sophisticated taste, where a subtle bitterness harmoniously blends with a smooth, refreshing finish.
Old
The original version looked almost the same as the current one, but was more colorful. In the center was a white oval with an open contour: it was formed by two golden arcs above and below, complemented by thin blue stripes. The same blue name of the beer brand was written inside. The word “Kronenbourg” used a serif italic typeface, and the year consisted of italic, bold numerals with gold strokes. Above the text was the white-and-gold coat of arms of Kronenbourg; below it was a laurel wreath and medals that confirmed the product’s quality. In the background, two intersecting red ribbons were depicted.
New
The modern design of the logo is almost identical to the original, except for a few minor details. The designers changed the font of the “Kronenbourg” lettering, making the letters smaller and thinner, and added another similar word above the coat of arms, which is now predominantly grey. The frame of the oval has become solid and silver. The awards were moved a little higher and repainted in silver and the contours of the numbers. The triangular protrusions at the bottom have disappeared from the ribbons; in the new version, the ends are cut diagonally.
Both the name and logo of Kronenbourg 1664 are a tribute to the village near Strasbourg, where the Kronenbourg Brewery moved in 1850. Therefore, an important, albeit inconspicuous, detail of the emblem is the area’s coat of arms. It depicts two heraldic lions supporting a rectangular shield with a pointed base and a brick tower crown.
The overall minimalist design emphasizes the label’s luxury, as the logo resembles an award (or wax seal) with its oval shape and two red ribbons. Although after the redesign, when the developers removed the triangular ends of the bottom lines, they became a little less associated with medal ribbons.
Font and Colors
The brand name is written in a custom cursive font that mimics handwriting. It is similar to Emigre’s Eidetic Neo Bold Italic, but the match is inaccurate. The most distinctive is the capital letter “K”: the designers lengthened its lower-right stroke to fold under the “r.” The varying line weights and gentle curves make the word elegant and convey the high quality of a premium lager.
The color scheme, in turn, symbolizes Kronenbourg 1664’s country of origin, as the combination of red, blue, and white evokes the French tricolor. The gamut is complemented by a silver shade that goes well with blue, only in the new version of the logo.





