A Brief History of Beer Steins

Dating back to its Germanic roots in the 14th century, the beer stein was originally produced with a permanently attached flip lid that was fashioned in response to a great deal of public fear and outcry over food- and beverage-related hygiene issues triggered by the bubonic plague (the Black Death). Initially created to fight serious health issues, the lid would eliminate the presence of fleas, flies and other pesky bugs from entering your drink, and the historical significance of the beer stein transformed it into a status symbol throughout the general population.

In the beginning, German beer steins were mainly made from stone; the word “stein” is an abbreviation of Steinzeugkrug, which can be translated as stoneware tankard. However, the stein assembly line gradually incorporated the use of porcelain, wood and pewter, as well as glass and silver for the rich members of society. Most contemporary German beer steins are handmade and hand-painted and, during the 1900s, collecting antique beer steins became a popular hobby amongst beer enthusiasts. Steins are also popular throughout North America, Great Britain, France, Japan and Russia, and typically come in half liter or full liter sizes.

Beer steins have become evermore decorative and their lid designs slowly incorporated the invention of the thumb-lever, so you could drink your beer without the lid clicking your teeth as the hinged tankard rose upwards to meet your thirsty lips. Modern versions of the stein available today have the beer lid removed when their popularity dwindled. However, the luxury decorative “tourist” editions – usually emblazoned by a somewhat historically inaccurate family crest emblem – do include these lids.

Between 1850-1910, popularly referred to as “the Golden era of stein production,” the famous Mettlach Stein Company started to produce beer steins on a mass scale. They have now become the most famous type of steins across the globe, utilizing the skills and craftsmanship of over 1,200 classically trained artists to construct and personalize their wares. Mettlach produce over 1,000 different types of steins, and expert glassmakers were employed to produce thick glass molds. Multicolored glassware was also utilized, and detailed etchings with pewter and ceramic inlays soon became a mainstay all over the market.

The unique appearance and social standing of the beer stein made them more than a simple drinking utensil; they became a unique object of desire that straddled social boundaries. Steins from the past were adorned with every image you could think of, from Biblical stories to political messages and historical lessons. Today, a stein can be decked out with your favorite musical act, a beloved cult TV show, or any kind of preferred hobby or sport. For some people nowadays, it’s not uncommon to have your most cherished family Christmas photos transposed onto a beer stein for later generations to enjoy!

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