Beer steins, especially German beer steins, are a popular collectors item today. Though historical evidence shows that beer stein collectors have been around for ages (at least the 13th century), it would appear that the second half of the 20th century has had the greatest collecting activity. One obvious reason would be that beer steins are pleasing to the eye, being offered in a huge variety of styles.
Today’s stein collector considers a stein to be a beer-drinking vessel with a handle and hinged lid. They are commonly made of earthenware, pewter, porcelain, faience, silver, or glass. There are even rare examples carved from wood, made from leather, ivory, ostrich eggs and horns. The royalty occasionally had steins of pure gold or silver.
Steins may be traditional, regimental, occupational (depicting one's occupation), character (figural), or relief (three-dimensional). They may be new, antiques, reproductions, or limited editions. Steins range in volume from .03 liter (1 oz.) to 32 liter (8.4 gal.), the typical volume being .5 (1/2) liter (16.9 oz.). Steins often have a theme such as heritage, wildlife, medieval, patriotic/military, sports & hobbies, fish & game, etc. There may also be several steins in a series, within a theme. Europeans often engraved dates on the lids of steins to commemorate specific occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, sporting events, weddings, and retirements.
The stoneware beer steins manufactured by the firm Villeroy & Boch in Mettlach, Germany are some of the finest steins made in the 19th & 20th centuries. Made by internally developed, unique techniques, these etched, relief and print-under-glass steins are museum piece quality and highly desired by serious stein collectors. Mettlach steins, as they are commonly called, come in sizes from ¼-liter to giant 4-liter ones, all exquisitely decorated and ornately designed with both ceramic and pewter lids. In today’s antique market Mettlach steins range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands, depending on type, décor, size & relative rarity.
For those of us who want to appreciate the decorative and aesthetic value of the beer stein without emptying our checking account, another popular type of collector stein is the figural beer stein (also called character steins). These are shaped steins such as human figures, animals, towers, lighthouses, or anything else the artist may dream up. In today’s market you can find a figural stein for just about any niche interest and this sort of stein undoubtedly makes the best gift for the beer lover in your life.
Other fun and popular beer steins are Oktoberfest, classic cartoons, or you can stick with the timeless traditional German beer stein that comes in a huge array of decoration.
For more information on beer and beer steins visit steincollectors.org or beerstein.net.
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