The only solution was to clean it with water and a tooth brush. In my search for a German beer stein repair shop I found numerous ones in Germany as expected. Many of them were associated with current German beer stein production facilities. If your stein company is still open, then this is a great place to send your stein in for repairs.
Full Answer
What parts of a German beer stein can be repaired?
Lids and thumblifts are the most common items in need of repair with the old German beer steins. This is due greatly because this is the only moving part on the stein.
What is a beer stein lid?
Beer steins are beautifully decorated with different themes and although they were originally created to keep insects out of drinks, beer stein lids are highly decorative pieces that come in handy to prevent spills and warm beer. They can be made of different materials, varying styles, and a number of sizes.
Why do beer steins have dents in them?
Dents will always occur in the steins lid because the pewter metal that is used is malleable. A too perfect lid on an old beer stein would be a dead giveaway that it had been repaired and the value of it would be diminished. The thumblift is very often cracked or broken off.
How to tell if a German beer stein has gone bad?
As the German beer stein ages, the hinge of the lid can become clogged with small amounts of debris. This will make it stiff to open, thus causing the thumblift to have excessive wear. These can be easily repaired by a professional, but there will be signs of this repair that cannot be hidden.
How do you restore a beer stein?
To restore a German beer stein, the stoneware will have to be refired in a kiln in most cases. This would require all of the metal or pewter items to be removed and then reassembled after the decanter is cooled down again.
How do you make a stein lid?
3:525:02How to Make Beer Steins - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's made of pewter cast in a mold a thumb lift pivots the lid on a hinge to attach the lid to theMoreIt's made of pewter cast in a mold a thumb lift pivots the lid on a hinge to attach the lid to the Stein body they position the thumb lift on the handle then assemble a small mounting tool over. It.
Are German steins worth anything?
German beer steins can sell for under $50 or over $5,000, but many sell in the $100 to $500 range. To determine whether your stein is a valuable antique or just a cool collectible, you need to look for clues about how old the stein is, where it was made, and how it was made.
What is a stein without a lid called?
Mug. A mug is a handled drinking vessel which does not have a lid. Many mugs, but not all, can be called unlidded steins, if they were supposed to have a lid.
Why do old beer steins have lids?
The lid. The lids on beer mugs serve as a sanitary measure, especially to keep insects out of the beer. They are usually made out of pewter, and are usually equipped with a lever that is in reach of the thumb, so that it is possible to grab the mug and open and close the lid with a single hand.
How do I know if my stein is valuable?
How to Tell if a Beer Stein is ValuableIt's German. If it's made in Germany, odds are your stein is special. ... The lid is lighter on the inside. ... There's no bump on the handle. ... It's hand-painted. ... It tells a story. ... It's made out of an expensive substance. ... Read more about collectibles and antiques on the SecurCare blog.
How can you tell vintage German beer steins?
Beer Stein Lids German beer steins are mostly identified by their lids. In most cases, lids are cheap and shaped as a cone. On the other hand, flat-shaped lids are adored by beautiful engravings. These decorations make such flat covers more expensive than their cheaper cone-shaped counterparts.
What do the numbers on the bottom of a beer stein mean?
If you have a low number it means the stein has not been out so long, the numbers above are not produced yet. Or if it is an old stein, that you got one of the first ones that were made in that series. If you have number 1 that adds a lot of value to your stein.
What does DBGM mean on a beer stein?
Another give away on this stein is the marking DBGM. This is Deutsches Bundes-Gebrauchsmuster (German Federal Registered Design). This dates it to 1949 or later.
Does a stein need a lid?
Beer steins with lids originated in 14th century Germany. Europe had been ravaged by the bubonic plague, killing millions of people. Shortly after, the entire region was besieged by several invasions of flies. In response to these events, Germany passed laws requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered.
How old is my beer stein?
A real authentic German beer stein made of ceramic, crystal, glass, metal, or wood is highly valuable and ranges in size from 1 ounce (29.5 ml) to more than 8 gallons (30 l)....German beer steinTypePeriodEarly (antique)From the 16th to the mid-19th centuryOldFrom the mid-19th to the 20th century3 more rows
What is a stein with a lid called?
They are called Maß! The first steins in Germany were actually called “Steinkrug”, which literally means “stone jug”. They were made of pottery or clay and usually had a lid, too, like this: Any Germans amongst our readers?
How are steins made?
3:3213:40Beer stein – From Scratch – How it's made – authentic German - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the mold is finished. It will has to dry. Overnight. You can see the section in the factoryMoreOnce the mold is finished. It will has to dry. Overnight. You can see the section in the factory where the clay gets poured in to the Stein.
What can I do with beer steins?
1:443:36Why should I use a beer stein – is it save to use a beerstein - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe main reason is it will keep your drinks. Of course also especially your beer fresh and cold muchMoreThe main reason is it will keep your drinks. Of course also especially your beer fresh and cold much much longer the stein works like a thermos cane.
Why do beer steins have lids?
This is why beer steins have lids: After the bubonic plague struck Europe, several infestations of flies and mosquitos landed as well. To protect against the dangerous insects and as a sanitary measure, people began covering food and drink to keep out diseased flies. The beer stein lid was born.
What was the purpose of the lids on beer?
Diseased flies were all about, and beer drinkers needed to devise protection. Today, the lids still serve a good purpose to keep fruit flies out, and they also help to keep beer at a constant temperature. Nowadays you can find steins with or without lids, ...
What is a beer stein?
A drinking vessel that once was used to help protect beer drinkers from the bubonic plague, beer steins have now become a staple in many pubs and breweries. Here are a few factors that make people believe that the beer stein is the perfect drinking vessel.
What is the shape of a stein lid?
Ornamental – These lids are always pewter and are the most popular choice of lids for limited-edition type steins. The shape of this stein lid is typically conical with a finial at the top and they usually have a lot of details that require special craftsmanship.
Why are beer steins decorated?
Beer steins are beautifully decorated with different themes and although they were originally created to keep insects out of drinks, beer stein lids are highly decorative pieces that come in handy to prevent spills and warm beer. They can be made of different materials, varying styles, and a number of sizes.
What is a semi flat lid?
Flat – These lids are also known as semi-flat lids, as they are not entirely flat. They are typically made from pewter and have a surface that is easy to add engravings too. Inlay – These are known to be very attractive lids, usually always with a pewter lid and flange with a stoneware figurine in the center.
What is the temperature of a ceramic stein?
Earthenware – Fired at a temperature around 1,000 °C, this is a colored mass that is porous until it is glazed.
Step 1
Clean the surfaces that need repairing and work out how they fit together. Make a diagram if necessary. Ensure all moisture is removed from exposed surfaces.
Step 2
Turn the soldering iron on. It is ready to use when the solder melts on contact with the iron.
Step 3
Hold the iron ½ -inch from the surface of the largest piece of pewter that needs repairing. Lightly bring the solder into contact with the soldering iron and allow the molten metal to drip onto the pewter.
Step 4
Press quickly the smaller piece of pewter into this area and hold it in position until the molten solder has hardened. This takes up to a minute.
Step 5
Fill any gaps in the newly made join. Hold the end of the solder against the gap and heat it with the iron. As it melts, move the wire across the gap, allowing the molten solder to fill it.
Step 6
Sand away excess solder using fine-grade sandpaper. When satisfied with the repair, use a mild steel wool followed by a soft cotton cloth to remove scratches caused by the sandpaper.
What is the purpose of a Stein?
The stone body of the beer stein was designed to keep beverages cool, but this durable drinking vessel will also keep your beverage of preference hot. In other words, not only will it keep your beer frosty, it will also keep your hot cocoa or coffee toasty.
Why do beer steins have glass bottoms?
Tankards with glass bottoms meant that unwilling recruits could check their drinks first so they couldn’t be accused of having taken the King’s Shilling and joined up!
Why are beer steins so expensive?
If the inside of the pewter lid is lighter than the outside, that indicates authenticity. Hand-painted steins will have minor imperfections and feel raised. These are more valuable. Hand-carved designs indicate authenticity, and those with a German patriotic scheme can be more valuable.
What are beer mugs with lids called?
Tankards are usually made of silver or pewter, but can be made of other materials, for example wood, ceramic or leather. A tankard may have a hinged lid, and tankards featuring glass bottoms are also fairly common. Tankards are shaped and used similarly to beer steins.
Can you drink from beer steins?
Yes! The beer steins, mugs, horns, boots, shots and glass drink-ware listed on our website are safe to use for beverages.
What is the difference between a stein and a mass?
Maß was originally a measurement unit like litres or ounces. One Bavarian Maß used to be exactly 1.069 litres. So, the word “stein” derives from the clay-based mug called “Steinkrug”, whilst a Maß used to be a measurement unit.
What do you drink out of a tankard?
We recommend drinking cold drinks only from our cups, because pewter conducts heat and burnt lips hurt. So why is pewter so great for tankards? Pewter is the traditional choice. It’s been used by discerning drinkers since the middle ages.
