The Story Behind German Beer Steins

Did you know that those ornate German beer steins were born from public health laws?
In the 14th century, during the Black Plague, Germany required all drinking vessels to have lids to keep flies out — and thus, the hinged-lid beer stein was born! Over time, they evolved into hand-painted works of art featuring pewter lids, carved reliefs, and scenes celebrating folklore, hunting, and good cheer.

A few more fun facts:

• The clever thumb lever on the pewter lid let drinkers open and close their stein one-handed — perfect for keeping the other hand free for pretzels or sausages!

• The word “stein” comes from Steinkrug, meaning “stone jug,” a nod to the stoneware used in early designs.

• The world’s largest stein ever made stood over 4 feet tall and held 32 liters of beer — made for the Munich Oktoberfest in 1978!

• In Germany, Oktoberfest began in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding — and the beer stein has been part of the party ever since.

Raise your stein this Oktoberfest — you’re toasting with centuries of history in hand!