German beer steins along with Oktoberfest and all of its accompanying traditions play their part in a rich, storied history. Specifically, German drinking sports a cadre of vessels for drinking, all of which born for specific purposes.
Ever since English royalty commissioned German glassblowers to craft vessels fitting of their hunting celebrations, Germans have taken to the task and created a number of unique ceramic beer steins, many of which have been elevated to the status of art.
Perhaps most famous of all German drinking vessels, the beer stein comes from the German word for stone (due to the fact that Steins were originally crafted from earthenware and stone). In fact, “beerstein” refers to the sugary residue left over from repeated drinking of beer from a vessel!
Over time, German Beer Steins were crafted from a number of materials, including wood, pewter and other metals, and glass. Each material was chosen for its unique aesthetics, leading to a wide array of beautifully crafted works that are to this day highly valuable and collectible. It’s even said that the iconic-hinged lid was developed during the time of the Black Plague, as a measure of defense against the flies!
