How can you tell if a beer stein is antique?

To start, you’ll want to be fairly certain your beer stein is an authentic German antique, not a mass-produced promotional piece. If the inside of the pewter lid is lighter than the outside, that indicates authenticity. Hand-painted steins will have minor imperfections and feel raised. These are more valuable.

How much is a German beer stein worth?

German Stein Value You can find an antique German beer stein at a price range from $50 to $5,000. The precise information about the particular piece can make a difference of thousands of dollars. For example, a 17th-century American tankard, which belonged to one family for generations, was sold for $140,000.

How large is a Stein?

No-one drinks better than the Germans! So recreate the famous German beer festivals with a Traditional Stein Beer Glass! Forget about staying sober as this tankard holds 2 pints of your favourite beer!

How can I tell if my stein is real?

How to Tell if a Beer Stein is Valuable

  1. It’s German. If it’s made in Germany, odds are your stein is special.
  2. The lid is lighter on the inside.
  3. There’s no bump on the handle.
  4. It’s hand-painted.
  5. It tells a story.
  6. It’s made out of an expensive substance.

Why is there a lid on a beer stein?

The lid. The lids on beer mugs serve as a sanitary measure, especially to keep insects out of the beer. They are usually made out of pewter, and are usually equipped with a lever that is in reach of the thumb, so that it is possible to grab the mug and open and close the lid with a single hand.

Why are there lids on beer steins?

Why is a stein called a stein?

These stone mugs were used at Oktoberfest until 1892, which is when the first glass steins were introduced. By 1893, glass steins replaced stone mugs for good. So, the word “stein” derives from the clay-based mug called “Steinkrug”, whilst a Maß used to be a measurement unit.

What are steins made of?

Beer steins were made primarily with pewter in many areas across Europe (primarily in England), but many steins were known to be made of glass, porcelain, and silver as well. Steins have also been known to have been made out of wood, earthenware, and crystal.

Can I drink out of a beer stein?

Can you drink out of a beer stein? / Do they actually drink from beer steins in Germany? Firstly, yes, you definitely can drink from them. In Germany clay steins are not nearly as common to drink from as glass open lidded steins, such as the Hofbrauhaus glass steins seen at Oktoberfest, but people still do.