Gambrinus

Gambrinus is a legendary king, who was regarded as the inventor of brewing. However, he is not the patron saint of brewers, this is Arnulf of Metz (St. Arnold) or alternatively Arnold of Soissons. In literature and visual arts Gambrinus is also presented as a counterpart to the wine god Bacchus.

Origin of the name

Johannes Aventinus told in 1519 in his ' Annales Bajorum ' Gambrivius was a son of a Germanic king Marsus been. This was Isis, the Egyptian goddess of motherhood married and fertility. From this he learned the brewing business and its art then more widespread. According to another explanation, this assertion comes from the German poet Waldis Burkard ( 1543).

The name Gambrinus - for the first time in 1574 and is occupied in Antwerp in the Low Countries - likely to be due to a printing error ( from Gambrivius ). This was of Annius of Viterbo from the name of Tacitus ( Germania, cap. 2) derived above Gambrivii. Tacitus reported also from a German tribe of the Marsi.

Because of its importance, many European and North American brewers have taken over the image or name to its beer brands. At least three major breweries are named after Gambrinus, the Gambrinus brewery in Pilsen, Czech Republic, Gambrinus Company in San Antonio, Texas and Gambrinus in Mulhouse, Alsace. The face of the Gambrinus adorns the beers of Luxembourg beer " Battin " ( Brasserie Nationale ), the Dutch brand " Hertog Jan" ( InBev ) and the Spanish brand " Cruz Campo ".