German beer steins are decorative and memorable souvenirs from a trip to Deutschland. The pewter lids originated in the 14th century to separate drinking beer from a painful death. Traditional German steins are designed to keep the bugs out.
Having worked in Germany for so many years, our shelves are decorated with a half of a dozen beautiful beer steins. Stein comes from Steinzeugkrug, or stoneware jug. In the late part of the 14th century the Bubonic Plague or Black Death killed millions. With all of that death, swarms of black flies buzzed across Germany, sustaining death and disease. Germans implemented many health rules to protect the survivors of the plagues. One was that beer steins required lids to keep the flies out of the brew.
Decorative Glass Shelves
Rich Germans used silver or gold for their steins. The common drinking population used stoneware. One benefit of being a plague survivor was the few remaining laborers received high pay. They invested some of their salary into decorative stoneware with shields, knights, and other images.
At the 1892 Oktoberfest glass beer mugs were introduced. With fewer flies and better hygiene, the German beer stein benefits diminished. They became decorative art and standard tourist souvenirs.
When traveling in Germany, look for taverns where customers bring in their own beer steins. It is fun to look at the different designs and colors. The sounds are marvelous with the snapping pewter lids among the laughter. Going back over six centuries with a crowd, like this, and their German beer steins, no bug had a chance.