Almost every beer lover has heard the name “Gambrinus” at least once in their life. Now it has become fashionable to call bars and pubs, as well as brands of beer. But few people know that this is a real historical character. It is King Gambrinus who is credited with inventing beer, but is this really so? You will soon find out.
Gambrinus – Duke of Brabant, Jan Grimus (1251 – 1294), who was the honorary chairman of the Brussels Brewers’ Guild. In the meeting room of this guild there was a portrait of Jan, where he was depicted with a mug of beer in his hand. Thanks to folk writings, several centuries later, the Flemish Duke Jan Grimus turned into Gambrinus – the legendary inventor of beer.
According to another version, Gambrinus was the son of one of the German kings. He married the Egyptian goddess of fertility Isis, who taught him how to brew delicious and healthy beer. Still, the first legend looks more believable.
One thing is certain – King Gambrinus was not the inventor of beer. The recipe for the foamy drink was known in Mesopotamia and Egypt for thousands of years before his birth. It’s just that European brewers have created a deity for themselves who can be worshiped.
Now the name “Gambrinus” can be seen not only on beer bars, but also on popular brands of beer from the Czech Republic, the USA and even France. Even if this fabulous king did not invent beer, now his name is inextricably linked with the foamy drink.
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