Beer steins can be made from a variety of materials. Below we discuss the different types of materials used to make steins, , sizes and different ways of decorating the steins.
A wide variety of materials have been used to produce authentic German steins. Below we have listed and briefly describe the most prominent ones.
Steins date back as early as the 14th century. In the early 16th century Germany made several laws requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered. The reason for this was because of the Bubonic Plague and the mass quantities of flies that swarmed the country. So they started putting a lid, hinge and even a thumblift on their drinking containers for easy access. This also helped to keep the liquid at a constant temperature.
Prior to World War I, Germany was known as “the” ceramic industry. From World War I up to World War II, there were alot of economic and physical influences that changed the production and manufacturing capacity in Germany.
After World War II ended, the beer stein production in Germany was back. Most of the steins that were made after World War II were reproductions of earlier designs using the same molds. But it was also during this time that two new types of steins were born. They were Regimental and souvenir.
I’m sure you’ve all seen it, you look at the bottom of a stein or German made product and it says “Made in Germany”. You think you’ve acquired an item that was made in Germany. Right? Not necessarily so!
Whether you are aware of it or not, there are some German manufacturers that actually have their steins manufactured in China! They are then shipped back to Germany where the relief decoration, pewter lids, etc. are applied and before the items are put on the shelf, they are labeled “Made in Germany”.
Albrecht Durer Pewter Chalice
$139.00
Bavarian Hunter Hat - Green
$16.95
German Chalet Hat Pin
$13.50
Gingerbread House Smoker - Christian Ulbricht
$39.95
Santa with Tree Snow Globe
$35.00
