Catalogue no. BBG108
Glasses Brigand 1798 older
Exhibit information
Glass style Goblet A stemmed glass with a broad bowl, traditionally associated with stronger Belgian beers, particularly Trappist and abbey ales.
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Explainers
Capacity 33cl Curator’s Notes A tall, elegant 33cl goblet, its elongated bowl flowing almost continuously into a long stem. The foot is rather more unusual: thick and raised around its outer edge, giving the glass an almost hoof-like stance.
The decoration provides the drama. A brightly coloured archer aims directly out from the front of the glass above the Brigand name and the date 1798. The branding is repeated more discreetly in relief around both front and back of the substantial foot.
The date is significant. Brigand was created by the Vanhonsebrouck brewery as a tribute to the brigands who rebelled against French rule during the Peasants' War of 1798. The brewery describes it as its first blonde speciality beer — making the armed figure rather more than simply an eye-catching piece of branding.
There are no manufacturer markings to allow us to date this, but we can assume it is an older versions, certainly in comparison to BBG149, which is dated 2024.
Despite the rather martial decoration, the glass itself is remarkably graceful. At 30 cents from a brocante, it was also something of a steal.