About Gambrinus Lodge
The Masonic Centre in Chester-Le-Street in the province of Durham is home to several thriving Craft, Royal Arch and Allied Degree lodges.
The centre has for many years been registered with the consumer organisation CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and has received several awards. A large
part of the overall success of the centre has been the philosophy of providing a choice of well-kept Real Ales & Craft Beers.
Close relationships with CAMRA and Northern Brewers have resulted in regular Beer Festivals which are always well attended events by Brethren of lodges within the centre and numerous other lodges from within the Province of Durham and further afield. These facts fermented and matured the idea of forming a special interest in the Northeast of England thus enabling brethren to marry their passions for Freemasonry with those of Real Ale and Craft Beer.
Several likeminded freemasons formed a small group affectionately to be known as the ‘Founding Fathers’ and in May 2023 set about forming the lodge.
The proposed lodge name of Gambrinus became a firm favourite as a legendary European culture hero celebrated as an icon of beer, brewing, joviality, vitality and ‘joie de vivre’ which seemed to combine all perspectives of our vision. Interest proved to be very popular and after several gatherings by November 2023 a petition for warranting the lodge containing the 43 founder signatories was sponsored by the Worshipful
Master and Brethren of Lumley Lodge No. 5807 and submitted to Durham Province and Grand Lodge for consideration.
Gambrinus Lodge No. 10054 was graciously granted the petition of warrant by The Most Worshipful Grand Master His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent on the 8th day of March 2024.
Representing Gambrinus in the visual arts typically depicts a rotund, bearded figure, holding a tankard or mug, and sometimes with a barrel, wheat and hops nearby. Myth and legend abound in plenty, though sometimes he is erroneously called a patron saint, is neither a king, saint nor a tutelary deity.
It is possible his persona was conflated with traditional medieval saints associated with beermaking, like Saint Arnold of Soissons. In one legendary tradition, Gambrinus is beer’s inventor or envoy, however legend attributes to him no special powers to bless brews or to make crops grow.
The logo design for the lodge depicting Gambrinus is unique and original, but which follows the typical portrayal of him astride a barrel which is placed on chequered floor. While he holds the traditional flagon of ale there is also discreetly depicted a purse under his left hand.
The chequered floor is there to remind us that there are always choices in life between good and evil
and to remind us of the consequences of excess and the rewards of moderation. The purse placed under his left hand and ale flagon reminds us that while we have a passion for Real Ale & Craft Beer, we should not lose sight of our obligations as freemasons to render ourselves more extensively
serviceable to our fellow creatures.