Catalogue no. BBG033

Primus Pils

Brewery: Brouwerij Haacht
Beer style: Pils
Glass style: Pilsner
Capacity: 25cl
Place: Boortmeerbeek (Flanders)

Curator’s Notes

This slightly flared Primus pils glass was found at the Marolles flea market in Brussels for €2. Its colourful decoration makes it considerably more elaborate than most pils glasses — and reveals the history behind the beer's name.

Primus takes its name from Jan I, Duke of Brabant (1252–1294), identified here bilingually as “Jan Primus / Jean Primus”. A successful medieval ruler who became a figure of Brabantine folklore, Jan I was remembered not only for his military exploits but for his association with feasting and drinking. Later legend even connected “Jan Primus” with Gambrinus, the mythical king of beer.

This glass concentrates instead on another part of his story. Its central illustration depicts medieval merchants and their wares beneath the bilingual caption “Bevordert de handel / Encourage le commerce” — “Promotes trade”. Jan I's policies favoured the commercial interests of Brabant's increasingly prosperous towns, to which he granted extensive privileges.

The number 10 suggests that the glass formed part of a larger series illustrating episodes or themes from Jan I's life and reign. The Museum has not yet identified the complete series, leaving another small piece of the glass's history still to be discovered.

Primus Pils

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Primus Pils