what is the purpose of a beer stein

Full Answer

Are beer steins worth anything?

The value of the stein varies on the material used, design of the stein, maker and when it was produced. Especially valuable are collectible designs with brewery emblems, Bavarian motifs of Munich and the official souvenir mug of the annual Oktoberfest. The original beer steins, which are rare, typically cost a worker a week’s wages.

How to tell if a beer stein is valuable?

Types of German Beer Steins

• Oldest Known Steins. The oldest known German steins date back to the 1700s. ...
• Standard Stein Shape. In the past, beer steins had no particular shape. ...
• Glass-blown Steins. Glass-blown German beer steins are one of the oldest. ...
• Beer Stein Lids. German beer steins are mostly identified by their lids. ...
• Carved German Steins. ...
• Ivory Steins. ...
• Mettlach Steins. ...

How much beer does a beer stein hold?

Beer steins usually have a capacity of 12 to 37 ounces. While it is currently used to serve beer, it was never its purpose in the first place. The word stein means stone in German but may have been misunderstood and later popularized by American soldiers.

Where can I buy a beer stein?

What are some of the different types of beer glasses and mugs?

• Pint Glass/Shaker Pints: Pint glasses are probably the most popular beer glass. ...
• Beer Mugs: Beer mugs are the second most commonly used cup for drinking beer. Beer mugs have thick glass walls that help insulate the beer to keep it cool. ...
• Pilsner Glasses: This tall and skinny beer glass varies in size, but holds less beer than a pint glass. ...

Why is there a lid on a beer stein?

But lids did not start appearing on German steins until the Bubonic plague swept through Europe (in the 1300s), where insects appeared in their millions and attracted to the sweet smelling beer. The government decreed that all drinking establishments had to cover their stoneware with lids to prevent spread of disease.

Does beer taste better in a stein?

Beer really might taste better out of a stein The well-known Brass Tap suggests that beer steins are the perfect vessel to express the flavors in American Lagers, German Lagers, and Bocks. Personal preference will play the biggest role on deciding what type of vessel is best for your beer.

What do you drink in a stein?

A beer stein (also known as a type of beer mug) is a sturdy glass with a handle that is easy to drink out of and cheers with. A beer stein is most commonly used for American, German, and English lagers.

What beer do you drink from a stein?

What Kind Of Beer Do You Drink From A Stein? The most common types of beer steins are those used with lagers from America, Germany, and England.

Why do drinkers use big mugs for beers?

Beer glass mug - Big size beer glass Its large cylindrical shape with a handle on the side is the primary feature of the beer mug. The thick glass walls help insulate the brew to keep it cold, while the handle helps prevent your hands from warming up your beer accidentally (or dropping it when you've had too many).

Are beer steins worth it?

German beer steins can sell for under $50 or over $5,000, but many sell in the $100 to $500 range. To determine whether your stein is a valuable antique or just a cool collectible, you need to look for clues about how old the stein is, where it was made, and how it was made.

Can you drink coffee out of a beer stein?

You can even drink coffee from them. (We suggest you do not use the mug to steep hot tea.) After the woodwork is completed the mug is entirely covered in a clear FDA rated plastic which allows the beauty of the wood to show on the inside and outside. The coating is also what makes the mug safe to drink from.

Why do beer steins have glass bottoms?

Metal tankards often come with a glass bottom. The legend is that the glass-bottomed tankard was developed as a way of refusing the King's shilling, i.e., conscription into the British Army or Navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thereby avoiding conscription.

What can I do with beer steins?

1:443:36Why should I use a beer stein – is it save to use a beerstein - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe main reason is it will keep your drinks. Of course also especially your beer fresh and cold muchMoreThe main reason is it will keep your drinks. Of course also especially your beer fresh and cold much much longer the stein works like a thermos cane.

Why were beer steins invented?

German Beer Steins were originally produced to combat health issues that triggered the Bubonic Plague. Strict laws enforcing sanitation on the ingredients, transport, and quality of beer led to a vast improvement in the taste of German beer.

Why is a stein called a stein?

The word “stein” is of German origin. The etymology of the word is either from “Stein Krug” (meaning stone jug/mug) or from “Steingut” (meaning stone goods). Steins are mugs used for drinking beer. They have a handle and a hinged lid; are decorated and sometimes hand-painted.

What is the difference between a beer mug and a beer stein?

Here in the US, a container with a handle that is thick walled and can hold a large volume is called a mug. In Germany, this type of drinking vessel is called a seidel. If your seidel also has a lid, then it's called a stein.

Can you put beer steins in the dishwasher?

No, you should not put beer glasses in the dishwasher unless the glass has a dishwasher safe symbol on it. The majority of quality beer glasses should be hand washed in an appropriate cleaning solution.

Can you drink coffee from a stein?

It keeps your drink cool (or hot). The stone body of the beer stein was designed to keep beverages cool, but this durable drinking vessel will also keep your beverage of preference hot. In other words, not only will it keep your beer frosty, it will also keep your hot cocoa or coffee toasty.

How do you clean a beer stein?

General cleaning Taking care of your stein is extremely easy and does not require any special cleaning products. A soft cloth or dusting brush will remove any dust and dirt build up externally. You can also use a mild dish soap and warm water to remove any built-up grease or grime.

Are Budweiser steins dishwasher safe?

Are the items we sell dishwasher safe? The glass and ceramic items without a pewter lid, without gold accents and without printed decoration can be washed in the dishwasher, however hand washing is recommended by the manufacturers for best results.

What is a beer stein?

Beer stein ( / ˈstaɪn / STYNE ), or simply stein, is an English term for either traditional beer mugs made out of stoneware, or specifically ornamental beer mugs that are usually sold as souvenirs or collectibles. An 1894 article on beer mugs in the American Vogue magazine describes various types of steins adding ″And it is to this [i.e. German] nation that we owe Wagner 's music and the apotheosis of the beer mug."

What is the meaning of the word Stein?

The word can be compared to Old English stæne "pitcher, jug.". The word Stein alone is not used any more to refer to a beverage container in standard German; rather, Krug, Humpen or, especially in Bavaria and Austria, Seidel are used. Oktoberfest usage is Maßkrug .

What are Steins made of?

Steins have also been known to have been made out of wood, earthenware, and crystal. Ordinary German beer mugs have been made out of glass for hygienic reasons since the introduction of glass mugs to the 1892 Oktoberfest. Modern beer mugs, except again decorative or luxury versions, do not have a lid.

What is the lid on a beer mug?

The lid. The lids on beer mugs serve as a sanitary measure, especially to keep insects out of the beer. They are usually made out of pewter, and are usually equipped with a lever that is in reach of the thumb, so that it is possible to grab the mug and open and close the lid with a single hand.

What is a seidel mug?

Schoppen ( Palatinate, ½ litre) Keferloher, the traditional (but non-embellished) stoneware beer mug, named after the village of Keferloh near Munich where they were originally produced.

What are the advantages of using stoneware to make steins?

The advantage in using stoneware to make steins was that molds could be used to mass-produce elaborately carved steins. In using glass, not only could one produce multiple glass mugs, but an artistic touch could add to the glass by including acid etchings, glass staining, or even multicolored overlays.

Why did they put a lid on beer?

It is believed by some that the hinged lid was implemented during the age of the Black Plague, to prevent diseased flies from getting into the beer. While some people do believe this, it is unlikely to be true, as the Black Death is believed to be spread by fleas and contemporaries thought it was spread through dangerous “miasmas,” or poisonous air.

What makes a beer stein good?

What Makes a Great Beer Stein. Every beer drinker appreciates the the distinctive experience of drinking out of a beer stein. Some die hard fans suggest that the heavy glass is the best way to enjoy your beer to admire the color, and others believe that drinking out of a stein actually makes the brew taste better.

Why do we need a personalized beer stein?

A personalized beer stein can be a great souvenir to remember a beer you particularly enjoyed , or a favorite establishment. Every beer stein tells a story, and because they are built to last, it’s a story that can be enjoyed over and over again.

Why are beer steins so durable?

One of the reasons beer steins are the perfect vessel is because they are so durable. Constructed of materials that are built to last, beer steins are sturdy and can stand up to daily use. They also offer unique features like handles and texturing that make for an easier to grip beer mug and avoid drops or spills.

What is a beer stein made of?

They are made from a variety of fine materials like porcelain, stoneware, silver, pewter, or wood, and feel weighty and substantial in your hand. Sipping a delicious brew from a beer stein feels a bit more indulgent and special than drinking from a regular glass.

Why are steins recognized as having status in the community?

The community recognized stein owners as having status in the community because of their vessel. Anyone who owned and drank from a beer stein at the local pub was recognized as someone who could afford small luxuries during a difficult time in the world.

When was the beer stein invented?

The history of the beer stein dates back all the way to the late 1500’s in Germany. What began as a vessel to drink beer, display status, and help protect from the public from bubonic plague has evolved over the centuries into a staple at bars and pubs around the world.

Does beer taste better in a stein?

Beer really might taste better out of a stein. The science of how to best experience beer is constantly evolving and most manufacturers have suggestions on what type of glass will enhance the flavor of their brew. Sam Adams and Stella Artois are two that are known for having their glasses served in a custom chalice.

What is the purpose of a Stein?

The stone body of the beer stein was designed to keep beverages cool, but this durable drinking vessel will also keep your beverage of preference hot. In other words, not only will it keep your beer frosty, it will also keep your hot cocoa or coffee toasty.

Why do beer steins have glass bottoms?

Tankards with glass bottoms meant that unwilling recruits could check their drinks first so they couldn’t be accused of having taken the King’s Shilling and joined up!

Why are beer steins so expensive?

If the inside of the pewter lid is lighter than the outside, that indicates authenticity. Hand-painted steins will have minor imperfections and feel raised. These are more valuable. Hand-carved designs indicate authenticity, and those with a German patriotic scheme can be more valuable.

What are beer mugs with lids called?

Tankards are usually made of silver or pewter, but can be made of other materials, for example wood, ceramic or leather. A tankard may have a hinged lid, and tankards featuring glass bottoms are also fairly common. Tankards are shaped and used similarly to beer steins.

Can you drink from beer steins?

Yes! The beer steins, mugs, horns, boots, shots and glass drink-ware listed on our website are safe to use for beverages.

What is the difference between a stein and a mass?

Maß was originally a measurement unit like litres or ounces. One Bavarian Maß used to be exactly 1.069 litres. So, the word “stein” derives from the clay-based mug called “Steinkrug”, whilst a Maß used to be a measurement unit.

What do you drink out of a tankard?

We recommend drinking cold drinks only from our cups, because pewter conducts heat and burnt lips hurt. So why is pewter so great for tankards? Pewter is the traditional choice. It’s been used by discerning drinkers since the middle ages.

What are beer steins made of?

Beer steins were generally made from pewter in most European areas, specifically England, but manufacturers also produced steins from silver, glass, and porcelain. You can find beer steins made out of earthenware, crystal, and wood, as well.

What does "stein" mean in German?

Stein is a shortened version of the word steinzeug krug, which means stoneware, tankard, or jug in German. The word transformed into staene in Old English and meant pitcher or jug. The most recognized English version, stein, appeared in 1855.

What is a beer stein?

A Brief History of Beer Steins*. by Gary Kirsner. The word steinis a shortened form of Steinzeugkrug, which is German for stoneware jug or tankard. By common usage, however, stein has come to mean any beer container — regardless of its material or size — that has a hinged lid and a handle. Tankard would be more technically appropriate ...

Why is beer important?

Besides offering taste and fellowship, beer was considered to be important for the constitution, with the ability to induce strength, health, and relaxation. From the earliest times right up into the 1800s, many considered beer to be the most effective medicine known — the drink from the gods.

What was the shape of the steins in the 1700s?

During the 1700s, shape became less important. The faience steins predominantly assumed a pleasing cylindrical shape about twice as high as wide. Stoneware, glass, porcelain, pewter, and other steins soon followed suit. Regional differences of shape and size were replaced by differences in materials and motifs.

When were silver steins made?

Porcelain and silver steins continued to be made in the early 1800s, always with the Renaissance and Baroque designs that still appealed to the wealthy. In the early 1800s, the preference of the masses was so clearly for glass and pewter that nearly all of the faience workshops were permanently closed.

What was the most important market for steins?

The Napoleonic war and other rebellions of the time so diminished the aristocrats’ wealth and power that the newly monied middle class became the most important market for steins and other artistic products. This middle class cast off the Baroque extravagances, preferring instead a sturdy, functional folk art.

What is the difference between a mug and a stein?

Recall from above that the distinction between a mug and a stein is the hinged lid. This lid was originally conceived entirely as a sanitary measure. During the summers of the late 1400s, hoards of little flies frequently invaded Central Europe.

What was the beer made of in Europe?

Local brews in many other parts of Europe were still being made with rotten bread, cabbages, eggs, and anything else at hand. Soon the Bremen, Hamburg, and other clean northern Germany beers became famous and were exported throughout northern Europe, and even as far as the East Indies and Jerusalem.

What is a beer stein?

A drinking vessel that once was used to help protect beer drinkers from the bubonic plague, beer steins have now become a staple in many pubs and breweries. Here are a few factors that make people believe that the beer stein is the perfect drinking vessel.

Why are beer steins decorated?

Beer steins are beautifully decorated with different themes and although they were originally created to keep insects out of drinks, beer stein lids are highly decorative pieces that come in handy to prevent spills and warm beer. They can be made of different materials, varying styles, and a number of sizes.

What is the shape of a stein lid?

Ornamental – These lids are always pewter and are the most popular choice of lids for limited-edition type steins. The shape of this stein lid is typically conical with a finial at the top and they usually have a lot of details that require special craftsmanship.

Why do beer steins have lids?

This is why beer steins have lids: After the bubonic plague struck Europe, several infestations of flies and mosquitos landed as well. To protect against the dangerous insects and as a sanitary measure, people began covering food and drink to keep out diseased flies. The beer stein lid was born.

What was the purpose of the lids on beer?

Diseased flies were all about, and beer drinkers needed to devise protection. Today, the lids still serve a good purpose to keep fruit flies out, and they also help to keep beer at a constant temperature. Nowadays you can find steins with or without lids, ...

What is the temperature of a ceramic stein?

Earthenware – Fired at a temperature around 1,000 °C, this is a colored mass that is porous until it is glazed.

What is crystal stein?

Crystal is a clear, high-quality glass. The body of these steins are hand-cut, and either hand-engraved or engraved by a mold. Usually, these are mouth-blown and case-hardened with a transparent coloring on the exterior.

What is the purpose of a stein?

The stone body of the beer stein was designed to keep beverages cool, but this durable drinking vessel will also keep your beverage of preference hot. In other words, not only will it keep your beer frosty, it will also keep your hot cocoa or coffee toasty.

Can you drink out of German beer steins?

Can I drink out of the steins/mugs offered on your website? Yes! The beer steins, mugs, horns, boots, shots and glass drink-ware listed on our website are safe to use for beverages.

What is the difference between a stein and a mass?

Maß was originally a measurement unit like litres or ounces. One Bavarian Maß used to be exactly 1.069 litres. So, the word “stein” derives from the clay-based mug called “Steinkrug”, whilst a Maß used to be a measurement unit.

How many beers is in a stein?

No-one drinks better than the Germans! So recreate the famous German beer festivals with a Traditional Stein Beer Glass! Forget about staying sober as this tankard holds 2 pints of your favourite beer!

Are beer steins collectible?

The material steins are made out of varies and they can be constructed from stoneware, faience, porcelain, ivory, sliver, wood, glass and pewter. Type of Beer Steins: These are often highly detailed featuring realistic human and animal carvings; this type of stein is considered one of the more valuable to collectors.

Are beer steins valuable?

A real authentic German beer stein made of ceramic, crystal, glass, metal, or wood is highly valuable and ranges in size from 1 ounce (29.5 ml) to more than 8 gallons (30 l). Unfortunately, many tourists buy the beer stein as a souvenir and find out that they have been cheated once they return home.

What are German beer mugs called?

In German-speaking regions beer mugs may be known as: Bierkrug (“beer mug”) Maßkrug or Maß (for a one-litre beer mug) Humpen.

Overview

Etymology

History

Material

The lid

Other forms and synonyms

Pictures

See also