The beer market in France is a dynamic mix of globally recognized mass-market brands and a thriving craft beer scene, each appealing to different consumer tastes and values.
Based on a combination of sales volume, brand recognition, and consumer reviews, the most popular beers and styles in France include:
1. Kronenbourg 1664 (and its variant 1664 Blanc)
This is arguably the most recognizable and best-selling French beer brand, dominating the mass-market lager segment.
- Uniqueness & Brand Recognition: It is seen as a classic French beer brand, often associated with French culture and heritage, particularly the Alsace region where it originated.
- History: Kronenbourg traces its roots back to 1664 when Jérôme Hatt founded the Hatt Brewery in Strasbourg, Alsace, one of France’s historic brewing regions. The “1664” name pays homage to this founding year.
- Taste & Reviews (Kronenbourg 1664 Lager): The classic version is a Euro Pale Lager (or pilsner lager) with a refreshing, light-bodied profile, subtle notes of hops and citrus, fine bitterness, and a mellow texture. It is generally praised for being a very drinkable and refreshing everyday beer.
- Taste & Reviews (1664 Blanc): This popular variant is a French Wheat Beer (Bière Blanche). It is light, smooth, hazy, and has a distinctive, enjoyable flavor, often finished with a blend of coriander and orange peel for a subtle citrus twist. This version is especially popular among those seeking a lighter, more flavored option.
2. Desperados
While not a traditional French style, this flavored lager has a very high volume of sales, particularly among younger demographics and on online platforms, giving it strong market popularity.
- Uniqueness: It is known as the world’s first tequila-flavored beer.
- History: Desperados was born out of experimentation in a brewery in Alsace, France, in 1995. The brand is now part of the Heineken portfolio.
- Ingredients & Taste: It is a full-bodied lager infused with a tequila flavor. The taste is distinctively sweet, with subtle malt notes, a clear golden color, and a pleasant, catchy tequila aroma. It taps into the demand for flavored and experimental beers.
3. Bière de Garde (A Traditional French Style)
While this is a style rather than a single brand, it is the most famous and well-regarded traditional French beer style, with several popular brands representing it. It scores very highly in customer reviews and recognition of French brewing tradition.
- Uniqueness: Translating to “beer for keeping,” it is a strong pale or amber ale traditionally brewed in farmhouses in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region during winter or spring and then cellared for consumption later in the year.
- History: This style originated in the 19th century in Northern France to avoid yeast problems during warmer months before refrigeration.
- Popular Brands: 3 Monts Bière de Flandre, Jenlain, La Goudale, and Ch’Ti are notable examples.
- Ingredients & Taste: It is typically malty with flavors ranging from caramel and toffee to dark fruits, depending on whether it is a blonde, amber, or brown variety. It is often top-fermented and may be unfiltered, yielding a rich, complex, and sometimes slightly rustic character.
4. Pelforth
Another brand with a long history and strong regional recognition that is now widely available.
- Uniqueness: It is known for its blend of grains, adding complexity and a distinctive character.
- History: The brand, originally from Northern France, has maintained its identity despite being acquired by Heineken.
- Ingredients & Taste: The most popular is Pelforth Blonde, a clear, sunny yellow beer brewed with a mix of three grains. It is noted for maintaining “classic French touches” of fruity aromas and notes of almonds, offering a light yet flavorful profile.
Notable Mentions & Emerging Popularity (Craft Beers)
The French craft beer revolution has seen a surge in quality and variety, with many smaller breweries earning high marks from critics and enthusiasts:
- Anosteké: The Brasserie du Pays Flamand‘s Anosteké Blonde has gained international recognition (including a “World’s Best Pale Beer” award), making it a high-ranking French beer by critical review.
- La Goudale: A popular, high-fermentation blonde Bière de Garde known for its full body, rich malt flavors, and notes of coriander and orange.
- Brasserie La Débauche: A modern craft brewery highly praised for its experimental and barrel-aged stouts and IPAs, earning high ratings from dedicated beer reviewers.
- Bière Pietra: A unique Corsican beer, the first from that region, brewed with chestnut flour, giving it a distinct, robust, and slightly sweet flavor.
