The History of Cambrinus – The King of Beer
Cambrinus, often mentioned in the songs of students, is known as the King of Beer in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in other European countries.
In this historical building, built in 1699, Cambrinus has been portrayed twice. First as a statue, sitting on a large beer keg with a foaming beer mug in his hand on the corner of the facade of the building. The second time Cambrinus has been etched into a beautiful window, on the side of the building, accompanied by a woman.
Throughout history Cambrinus has often been labeled as John I Primus, Duke of Brabant. The stories go that he invented the Faro and Lambic beers from Brussels. In any case, he is a legendary king, seen by many people as the inventor of beer.
A German tribe, known as the “Gambrivii”, already mentioned by the Roman historian Tacitus, is also said to be at the root of the name. A different version tells the story that he was the lord of Cambrai (in modern day France, but historically a part of Flanders, known as “Kamerijk”) and that Cambrinus was the Latin version of his title.