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I bought one of them in Munich many years ago and it's been sitting on a shelf in my parents house since. Was there a reason ceramic was used for these mugs? I always though they were purely ornamental.

I think they just hark back to the days when all drinking recepticles were clay. They were, and are, certainly still used, but I think they've gotten more and more ornate for the tourist trade. The lids are definitely practical for keeping the damn flies out of your beer.

I was reading somewhere that lighter, clearer beers became more fashionable as glassware became more widely available, to those who could afford it at least.

"bigears":20r4qnk3 wrote: I bought one of them in Munich many years ago and it's been sitting on a shelf in my parents house since. Was there a reason ceramic was used for these mugs? I always though they were purely ornamental.[/quote:20r4qnk3]


Ceramic, earthenware, pewter, silver, glass, wood...etc.

[quote:20r4qnk3]Steins originated in the 14th century. As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies in Europe, Germany established laws to require beverage containers to be covered for sanitary purposes. Around the same time, techniques to improve earthenware by raising the firing temperature of clay, created stoneware. Thus, there was a presence of stoneware drinking vessels with attached pewter lids for the next 300 years. By the end of the 19th century, the stein was clearly defined as being made in Europe, primarily of stoneware and primarily with a permanently attached pewter lid. The history of steins includes the development and presentation of steins made with different materials. Pewter was the material of choice in some areas of Europe, especially England. Glass, porcelain and silver steins were introduced several hundred years ago.[/quote:20r4qnk3]

From here[/url:20r4qnk3]

OK, gotcha. Should we add the much loved plastic pint glass to the list?

I'll have to explain that German Law at the next BBQ. I'm definatly of the opinion that the Germans have put the most thought into what to drink beer out of.

"You know, as a result of the bubonic plague..." is a great conversation starter alright!