Why do some German beer steins have lids?

The word stein is a shortened form of Steinzeugkrug, which is German for stoneware jug or tankard. By common usage, however, stein has come to mean any beer container — regardless of its material or size — that has a hinged lid and a handle. read more

Beer steins are made from a variety of crockery materials as well as glass and some all-metal types. Steins vs mugs The lid, usually with a hinge, is the chief distinction between a stein and a mug. read more

Beer steins are made from a variety of crockery materials as well as glass and some all-metal types. Steins vs mugs. The lid, usually with a hinge, is the chief distinction between a stein and a mug. Specialty steins. Military units, municipalities, brewing companies and special events coordinators often make limited run specialty steins with pictures and inscriptions on the mug as well as unique figures on the lid as commemorative items. read more

The fascination of beer steins or tankards has a long history dating back for centuries. The rarest German beer steins in the world are difficult if not impossible to find, most are in private collection or museums. read more

Some companies have been very successful, while others failed to cope with the competition and have stopped producing steins. In the early 1970s, Ceramarte of Brazil entered the stein-producing business, rapidly becoming the largest producer of beer steins in the world. read more