Of all the beer patrons, Saint Arnould and Gambrinus are the most popular. Saint Arnould has even become the official patron of the Confederation of Belgian Breweries and later gives his name to the Order of Saint Arnould in Quebec. However, it is the namesake of the latter who offers us the first miracle of beer.
Arnould of Metz: Holy Beer Patron
Born in 580, he became the bishop of Metz in 612. Upon his death, he was buried at the monastery of Saint-Mont. In 641, the inhabitants of Metz requisitioned the body so that he might rest eternally in the Church of the Holy Apostles of Metz.
During the journey, the bearers and the people forming the procession had to stop due to their great fatigue – and great thirst – in Champigneulles. Unfortunately, there was only one tankard to quench the thirst of all these people. It never ran dry, allowing everyone to refresh themselves! Arnould was then venerated throughout France, Luxembourg, and Wallonia. The stage was set for the cult of a second patron to occur a little further north.
Arnould de Soissons : Patron of Beer Brewers
was born in Tidinghem, now Tieghem, Belgium, in 1040. He had a fondness for cavalry and excelled in battles. He won the tournament of jousts in Utrecht with such flair that he was nicknamed Arnould le Fort. He became a novice at the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons.
In 1072, he was elected abbot. Nine years later, he was appointed Bishop of Soissons by the Council of Meaux. In 1084, he finally established the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Oudenbourg. The construction of the abbey brought several workers to the town. Local beer production was not sufficient to quench the thirst of these many people who then, unfortunately, had to drink water. Epidemics broke out.
At the same time, the abbey’s brewery went into operation. As the first beer fermented, a fire broke out in the convent. With a gesture of his golden crozier, he blessed the brew. The beer was saved. It could then, in turn, save lives. His miracle was thus twofold: having healed the workers and having recovered the wort. Arnould died in August 1087 and was canonized in 1120.
Gambrinus : Beer King of Brabant
Gambrinus bore the title of the beer king. He was a jovial and somewhat eccentric character. He served as the secular patron of brewers in Germany, the Czech Republic, France, and Belgium. His popularity skyrocketed in the 19th century, but his origin is less evident. There seem to be several real or fictional characters that explain who Gambrinus is. The most important is undoubtedly Jan Primus.
John I became the Duke of Brabant following a significant military victory. But he was especially the great protector of the brewers in his duchy and brought them important privileges. Others think it might be John the Fearless, the Duke of Burgundy and founder of the Order of the Hop. The Germans, on the other hand, believe it is a mythical king, Gambrivius, who lived in the 16th century, a legendary figure, indeed!
Sourced from Mario D’Eer, «Ales, Lagers, Lambics, LA BIÈRE», Éditions Trécarré, Éditions BièreMAG, 1998
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