Beer steins

[Cynomys]

Anyone here know anything about beer steins?

I am looking for a stein and I want a stoneware piece. But I can't tell the difference between earthenware and stoneware by examining the piece. If it does not say stoneware, then may I assume that it is not stoneware?

And if it is earthenware, is it safe to drink from?

I have a stein now. It is a 1/4 litre stein, made in "Western Germany". But I don't know what it is made of and whether it is safe to use as a drinking vessel.

 

[bradyarz]

Anyone here know anything about beer steins?

I am looking for a stein and I want a stoneware piece. But I can't tell the difference between earthenware and stoneware by examining the piece. If it does not say stoneware, then may I assume that it is not stoneware?

And if it is earthenware, is it safe to drink from?

I have a stein now. It is a 1/4 litre stein, made in "Western Germany". But I don't know what it is made of and whether it is safe to use as a drinking vessel.

hmm. don't know much about beer steins per se, but i can tell you all about beer stains.

 

[bossdog79]

During my beer drinking career, I've drank from tons of steins...no idea what they were made from..earthenware vs. stoneware....and I'm still alive...at least I think.

 

[tomviolence]

it is really the glaze that makes something safe to use for food or drink. You can buy a cheap lead test to tell if you are worried.

Earthenware is softer and would be more used for relief molded steins. Stoneware is what most contemporary smooth sided steins would be made of.

I just took a look at ebay there are a million steins, most are really IMHO crappy modern commemorative types. A nice .5 l ordinary salt glazed stein is perfectly serviceable. I bought some in germany when I was there and they are useful, inexpensive and a nice reminder of the rathskellers I went too.

A really nice molded stein is something like a mettlach from 1880 - 1900. Very Expensive, but uber cool.

I do not like lids, but they are certainly popular. The vintage lids are worth big bucks.

Honestly, the new fancy commemerative ones are not what I would want to display or drink from. A utilitarian salt glaze stein from a famous german or at least european brewer or famous bar would be best for drinking from. Bars use them to serve customers, and they are good for getting the drink from table to mouth.