Why Does This Beer Mug Have Three Handles?

Most beer mugs have one handle. Some have two. But three handles on a beer mug? What? To get the true story, and there is one, you have to go all the way back to the 1500s.

A Royal Visit

Emperor Charles V liked to travel around his vast realm. He was Emperor of Austria, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands (which back then included Belgium) from 1500 to 1558. Charles liked to stay in Flanders due to the quality of the lodgings, the food and especially the beer. While travelling through Flanders, he decided to visit the village of Olen. Now the villagers there were known for their extreme stupidity and were the butt of jokes throughout the region. When they heard their Emperor was coming to their village in a few days, the locals prepared to welcome him with a ceremony. They figured he would be thirsty after his travels, so they planned to welcome him with a cool mug of their excellent beer.

To avoid looking stupid in front of the Emperor, the villagers decided to rehearse the ceremony in advance. When the mayor practiced bringing the beer, he held the mug by its only handle, so the Emperor would have to take the mug by its body, which was totally unacceptable. So, the townspeople went to the village potter and had him make a mug with two handles. But when they rehearsed again, the mayor carried the mug by both handles, which still left their honored guest with nothing to hold onto. The villages went back to the potter again and asked him to make a mug with three handles. Thinking the problem was solved, they felt no need for further rehearsals.

The Big Day

When the trumpets sounded and the Emperor entered the village, all the townspeople came out to greet him. The mayor escorted him to the inn, where his beer awaited. When the mayor brought Charles the mug of ale, he held it by two of its handles and handed it to the Emperor. But, not being too bright, the mayor presented their monarch his beer with the third mug handle pointed toward his own belly, which necessitated the Emperor having to reach over the mug to grasp the handle on the back. Everybody was either laughing or horrified at this point, but the Emperor managed to drink the beer once it was out of the Mayor’s hands.

Experience What Charles V Experienced

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Olen, which is near Antwerp, you can relive the Emperor’s experience. There are two pubs in the town where you can have your beer served in the three-handled mug, where you are required to reach over the mug with your right hand and feel around for the third handle.

Just ask anyone where the two pubs are. You just might find someone smart enough to tell you! Santè!