History of Beer Steins
Invented in Germany, beer steins are a traditional beer-drinking mugs, glasses or beakers, often capped with a hinged lid which can be flipped open with the thumb. The term “stein” is the German word for “stone,” though in English the term has taken on its own meaning. English speakers often use the term “beer stein” as “beer mug.” In Germany, however, the correct term for what we call a beer stein is “steinkrug,” loosely translated to “stone mug.” Early beer steins were made of stoneware, hence the origin of the name. However, they were also commonly made of wood, porcelain, pewter, silver or glass.
The lid on the beer stein was introduced in the late 1400′s, when Germany and other Eastern European countries became repeatedly infested with flies during the summer months. Laws were passed in Germany requiring establishments to cover all food and beverage containers to keep the flies from landing inside of them. It is unknown who is responsible for inventing the hinged lid, but it became a popular invention as it allowed users to quickly flip it open and shut it again with the same hand before and after taking a sip.
Long after the fly infestation passed in Germany, the lids on beer steins remained as a means for keeping the beer from spilling out while the drinker moves about. For the past several centuries, the hinged lid on beer steins has allowed drinkers to dance and swing their arms without spilling a drop while acting ruckus and overly intoxicated in bars and pubs.
Today, beer steins and the popular flip lid are considered novelties and are not commonly used in Germany. Many beer steins are decorated in painted artwork and are mostly sold in Germany as souvenirs for tourists. Collector’s steins are rarely used for drinking and are often collected by enthusiasts for display purposes.
Author: Romain Levesque
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace
