Every year on April 11, beer lovers raise a glass to King Gambrinus, the so-called patron saint of beer. But here’s the twist – he was never a saint or a king. In fact, Gambrinus never existed at all! That doesn’t make his legend any less fascinating.
A story rooted in history
Gambrinus likely takes inspiration from Hertog Jan (Duke John), a well-known beer enthusiast. This popular Jan van Brabant loved beer and often mingled with the common folk. According to legend, he once rallied his army while standing on a pile of beer barrels. Some believe his name, Jan Primus (Jan the First), evolved into Gambrinus, though historians debate this theory.
Others trace the name back even further. Ancient Roman writings mention a Germanic clan called the Gambrivians. Over time, this transformed from a people to a mythical king named Gambrivius. Poets and storytellers embraced the idea, weaving new tales about the beer king.
King Gambrinus: a legend with many origins
Some claim Gambrinus learned brewing from the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Others say he won his title after drinking beer for three days and nights straight. One version tells of a simple brewer who secured victory in a race – by drinking the barrel of beer he was supposed to carry!
The legend truly took shape in 1874 with Charles Deulin’s short story collection Contes du roi Cambrinus (The Stories of King Gambrinus). In this tale, a heartbroken man makes a deal with the devil. In exchange for forgetting his lost love, he surrenders his soul. The dark figure grants him a miraculous hop plant and the secret of brewing.
But Gambrinus has one more trick up his sleeve. To take revenge on his village, he gains the power to play music that forces people to dance. When the devil returns to claim his soul, Gambrinus plays his tune. The demon dances uncontrollably, only breaking free by returning the brewer’s soul. Now that’s a hero’s move!
From myth to beer culture
When the story became a play, Gambrinus gained fame across the Low Countries – what is now the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of France. Today, he’s deeply embedded in beer culture. Several breweries, festivals, and beer associations carry his name, including Haacht Brewery’s Primus and Cantillon’s Rosé de Gambrinus. He even has his own celebration on April 11!
All in all not bad for a saint who never existed…
