Traditionally, beer steins used to be made out of stoneware before glass was introduced for hygiene reasons. Most modern steins don’t even have a lid anymore, except for those produced for luxury or ornamental purposes. Today, traditional beer steins are, most often than not, made specifically as decorative pieces. They tend to be thematic in nature, and usually very ornate and intricate in detail. Easily available, they come in a wide variety of designs, a delight for anyone who’s interested in keeping and expanding a collection.
One theme commonly used to decorate steins is the castles and knights. Some of these are absolutely stunning to look at. Take the example of the 3D Knight stein. Made of stoneware, it shows in raised-relief, a knight standing guard in front of a castle tower. It is in three-dimensional design, thus the name, with creeping ivy and solid archways. The castle’s tower opens up to reveal the stein’s lid and the helmet serves as a thumb-lift. Given the level of perfection, it is astonishing to note that these steins are entirely hand-painted. Then there is the Rhein Castles stein. Also made out of stoneware, with raised-relief decoration, it is a magnificent-looking beer stein. Ornate in its designs, it is divided into three sections, each showing an actual castle that can still be found along the Rhein river today. The rich history depicted is an added attraction to any history buff.
Another form of traditional beer steins are the heritage scenes steins. These come in more than seventy varieties, each more impressive than the next. One gorgeous example of this is the Fireman stein. Done in tones of sepia, it is reminiscent of old times. It shows a fire fighter proudly standing with his hose and trumpet amid the background of burning buildings. It comes complete with a German expression embossed on one side, almost like a prayer in its nature, asking God to protect those who come to do their duty. The Great Hunter’s stein is another type of heritage scenes stein. Superbly detailed, it actually seems to be telling a story. Its handle is a fox, which forms part of the story. It basically shows some hunters sleeping and wild animals creeping closer to them, because they no longer feel threatened by their presence.
There are also the Romantic Scenes steins. One such stein is the Kissing Couple stein. As the name suggests, it depicts a kissing couple within a lovely gold border in the form of a heart, with flowers threaded in at intervals. This particular one counts among some of the simpler steins produced, though still grand by many standards. Another is the Lovers stein. Beautifully detailed, it is hand-painted in a raised-relief design and bursting with colour and romantic emblems like doves and roses. It shows a couple holding each other, also complete with a German phrase which translates to ‘what a wonderful time of love’. It is one of the bestsellers among steins, particularly around Valentine’s day.
Traditional steins also include the wildlife scenes steins. These are mostly simple in design and more affordably priced due to this simplicity. They are however, no less beautiful than other steins. Take the wolf stein as an example. With an embossed lid showing a wolf, the stein shows a snow-covered land with three magnificent wolves standing in all their glory. The decorative handle gives the finishing touches to the stein.
Some traditional beer steins also feature Germany and its states. One beautiful stein in this collection is the Bavaria stein. Made of stoneware with a hand-painted tribute to this famous German state, it depicts the Bavarian flag, lions and shields. In the same way, there is the Deutschland stein, absolutely stunning to see. It shows the imperial eagle as the main motif and has a subtle barrel shape with subdued colouring, all designed to draw in someone.
