Designation for vessels with a potbelly in the shape of a jug made of clay or earthenware, tapering towards the top and bottom. The Bembel, often painted blue with stylised apple branches or wreaths, are equipped with a handle for pouring and sometimes with a tin lid. The vessel is traditionally used in Germany, especially in Hesse and in French Normandy, mainly for serving cider or cider. There are different sizes, named according to their volume, measured by the number of glasses called geripptes. For example, there are 4-bottle, 8-bottle, 12-bottle or 24-bottle bembles. This corresponds roughly to 1 to 6 litres. However, there are also much larger bembles, which are then stored in so-called "lazybones", which are wrought-iron racks. A tilting mechanism that can be rotated in the centre of gravity makes pouring easier. The type of beer mug commonly used in Germany, the Humpen, usually with a volume of 0.5 l, is also known as the Bierbembel. See also under wine vessels.
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