The origins of steins date back to the 14th century. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe shortly thereafter, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered to protect their contents. By combining a lid, hinge, and thumblift, these 'German' containers could easily be opened and closed with one hand.

About this time many efforts were also made to improve the earthenware material used for steins. By raising the firing temperature, clay was vitrified into a solid, moisture-free, stone-like material called stoneware. Because this new material was much more durable than the previous earthenware, steins made of stoneware became very popular and many different types of designs and decorations were artistically applied to them.

The guild system was firmly entrenched in European society at this time. The pewter guild, combined with the heightened awareness for hygiene among food containers, created an environment in Germany that would ensure the presence of permanently attached pewter lids on stoneware drinking vessels for the next 300 years. By the end of the 19th century, the stein was clearly defined as being made in Europe, primarily of stoneware and primarily with a permanently attached pewter lid.

The history of steins includes the development and introduction of several different materials other than stoneware. Pewter was not only used for lids, but also as a primary body material. It was the material of choice throughout large areas of Europe and particularly popular in England. Glass, porcelain and silver steins were introduced several hundred years ago as well and are all still available today.

Many stein-decorating styles and techniques were developed over the centuries, offering further diversity to this creative, historical, artistic, and ever-evolving gift item.

Today, the stein and tankard industry remains primarily represented by those factories in Germany and England who are from the original regions where history has demonstrated the industry to have been founded. Centuries-old traditions continue to train the skilled hands and eyes that are required to create these steins. We are proud to feature the works of these authentic factories and industry leaders in our catalog.





For more comprehensive information: Beer Stein Book, Beer Steins Guide

A wide variety of materials have been used to produce authentic German steins. Below we have listed and briefly described the most prominent ones.

STONEWARE (German-Steinzeug) — Hard material, fired in high temperature kilns generally around 1,200 °C to 1,400 °C . At this temperature, stoneware vitrifies (becomes glass-like). The resulting product is less than 2% porous; therefore, glaze is not mandatory for a stoneware stein. When glaze is used, it must be of a special quality to withstand the high kiln temperature.

PEWTER — A pliable compound consisting of tin, copper, and antimony. European pewter has a minimum tin content of 94%. Copper and antimony are added to harden the metal. The higher the tin content, the more silver the final color. A common misconception is that all pewter products contain lead. Although used in the past, lead is virtually never used in modern pewter steins production. Various techniques are used to create pewter beer steins. Primarily, steins are component cast — that is, the lids, bodies, handles and special ornamentation are separately made. Pewter is also occasionally rolled or hammered. The final color is a result of the tin content, polishing and chemical antiquing.

CRYSTAL — denotes a material consisting of 24% or more lead crystal. The body is hand-cut, hand engraved and/or patterned by the mold. They are case hardened, usually are mouth-blown and often feature transparent coloring on exterior and/or the interior of the body.

GLASS — The least expensive of all popular materials. Unlike the procedure for making stoneware, pewter, and crystal steins, glass bodies and handles are formed in one mold. Also, the lids are often attached by machine. The bodies are usually transfer decorated, and the only hand work involved usually is the application of a border decoration.




CERAMIC MATERIALS — Ceramic steins fall into one of five categories according to the quality of the ceramic mass, the raw materials, the firing temperature, the color, and density of the mass:

STONEWARE (German-Steinzeug) — Hard material, fired in high temperature kilns generally around 1,200 °C to 1,400 °C . At this temperature, stoneware vitrifies (becomes glass-like). The resulting product is less than 2% porous; therefore, glaze is not mandatory for a stoneware stein. When glaze is used, it must be of a special quality to withstand the high kiln temperature.

PORCELAIN (German-Porzellan) — True porcelain, known as hard paste, is made of Kaolin (white clay) and Pentuntse (pulverized granite). When fired at a temperature of 1,300 °C to 1,400 °C , these ingredients produce a white, more or less translucent, glass-like material.

EARTHENWARE (German-Irdenware, Topferware) — A colored mass that is porous (absorbs liquid). It is either glazed or unglazed. It is fired at a temperature around 1,000° C.

CERAMICS (German-Keramik) — Slightly porous, light-colored ware, usually fired about 1,050° C to 1,080° C. It must be glazed to make it impermeable.

CREAMWARE (German-Steingut/Feinsteingut) — White earthenware with a lead glaze. Contains Kaolin (a fine white clay). It is fired twice, once at 1,150 °C to 1,180 °C without a glaze, then decorated, glazed and fired again around 900 °C to 1,000 °C

For more comprehensive information: Beer Stein Book

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