History of the Beer Stein

Beer Steins: Past to Present

In the 14th Century, the German beer stein started out as a mug. Pewter lids attached to the top of these mugs. This was to prevent sickness and flies from entering the beverage. This precaution mainly dates back to the black plague. Beer steins come in a variety of materials. The most common one being clay. This was to create the sturdy base by firing it up. The clay is carved into it to create unique designs. This surrounds the outside of the stein. Painted with vibrant colors in an intricate design. Steins are made out of glass or crystal. The shapes can vary as well.

Back in the 1600’s it was extremely easy to see where each beer stein as from. Every specific region had a different style of making them. Some preferred wide and sturdy, while others created them tall and sleek. Others made them blue, with grey designs or all brown with vibrant colors around them.

In the 1800’s began the famous time period of the Renaissance. This effected the Beer Steins, because this is when artistry and crafting things became such a huge deal in history. The sizes of steins no longer mattered, all of the middle class wanted a firm an sturdy shape to their beer steins. The traditional and vibrant folk art took over.

In the 1900’s glassware came back booming. During the 1920’s porcelain and glassware was nearly all that they made. Stoneware began to flourish more during the 1930’s and 40’s due to the rising and falling of the economy. In the early 1970’s Brazil opened up one of the largest exports in Beer Steins making it accessible to everywhere in the world.

German Beer Steins

Different Types of Stoneware

The advantage in using stoneware to make beer steins was that molds could be used. They began 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. Moreover, this happened by including acid etchings, glass staining, or even multicolored overlays. Porcelain’s advantage was that a fabricator could use molds to make “character steins”. These were steins that had a particular shape modeled after an item or a person.

Glassware Gift Set-5953

Different Types of Glassware

Ernst Licht has a selection of antiqued glassware features different types of decorative and functional glasses. For instance, like wine goblets, beer mugs, beer glasses and shot glasses. These are perfect for Oktoberfest parties and family events. They are sure to impress the heaviest of drinkers.

All of our German beer steins and glassware is from Germany. There are different sizes available including ½ liter, ¼ liter and 3/10 liter. These glasses come in a wide variety of logos. So, they include Baden, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and many more. They make the perfect gift for those who partake in Oktoberfest festivities. The many different designs and patterns imprinted on each one gives each one its own look and feel.

Das Boot!

Deutschland Eagle Beer Boot

The glass boot as a long history bouncing from country to country. This glass boot concept originated in England. The design was slightly different. The English glass boot had a silver rim, spurs and straps. These are called stirrup cups. Some historians disagree but most believe that these chalices of pride were first used by English hunters to celebrate, and then the very wealthy English. The wealthy English were the ones who added the signature silver rim. These are pint sized, and were popular before the 1850’s.

The official name for German glass beer boot is bierstiefel. This became famous in America when they released the movie “Beer Fest”. The movie featured a 2 liter glass boot they deemed “Das Boot”. The problem with this name is that the “Das Boot” translates directly into “the boat” and not “the boot” which is the common misconception.

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