Beer mugs traditionally have lids.
A beer mug is a mug with a lid that holds beer. The mug handle has a small hinge that, when pressed with your thumb, opens the lid. This allows the beer mug user to open the lid with the same hand holding the mug, but close it when not drinking. The modern beer mug can be made from many different materials, such as metals, ceramics, or glass. The beer mug can also have various notches, and many collect German beer mugs, as the designs can have interesting variations.
Steins were invented in Germany in the 15th century.
Initially, the beer mug was produced for sanitary purposes. In the 1400s, parts of Germany were infested with flies that landed on open beer and choked quite easily. Since no one wanted to drink beer with this unintentional added ingredient, the artisan sought to create a glass that would only open when the drinker was using it.
There was also the fear that the bubonic plague would return and start another path of destruction across Europe. This made authorities and local leaders in Germany anxious to pass laws that would keep people safe. As a result, many areas of Germany have passed laws requiring individual and shared beer glasses to have lids.
In the 1500s, a beer mug was often simply shared, and these shared beer mugs were usually made of wood or pottery, which tended to rot or break after multiple uses. These materials also smelled like stale beer. Some people had ceramic beer mugs, but they were expensive. In fact, you were considered rich if you had your own pint of beer. Fortunately, the 16th century brought pewter working to the forefront, resulting in most ale tankards of the time being made from pewter.
As new materials emerged, beer mugs became more and more elaborate. They can have carvings, designs and engravings. Preferred styles were blue glazed pottery and many had reliefs or carvings of more modern drinking scenes or events. The beer mug has essentially become art, with many becoming collector’s items. Today, the majority of beer mug collectors are American, and like many things in demand, the beer mug is not just made in Germany. Some variants are made in factories in South America, reflecting global sourcing trends.
You can buy a beer mug in many different styles. Some feature Christmas scenes, depict cities, reference a specific war, or can be engraved or personalized for the user. Many are very modern. Collectible beer mugs can be found in antique stores and on eBay. It can be a bit difficult to tell the difference between an original and a reproduction, as many reproductions were made as beer mugs grew in popularity in the 1960s. It’s best to work with a reputable antique dealer if you’re looking for an old and rare beer mug.