Centuries ago when beer steins were first made, they were seen as a status symbol that only a few could afford. The local pub would keep them on their shelves just for their owners to drink from, and many thought they improved the flavor of the ale they were enjoying.
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The Case for Beer Steins
Beer steins were first made in the 1500’s in Germany. As well as being a display of status, they were originally produced to help the drinkers keep free of the bubonic plague. To start with, they had a hinged lid to keep out insects that would spread the infection. Now they are used worldwide, and although we no longer have to be protected from the bubonic plague, some people still prefer to drink from a vessel that belongs to just them. A pub will keep your beer stein for you, washed and ready for when you next appear. It is not unusual for them to be personalized too, although more and more brands are using them for promotional purposes as well. Some beer steins have become collector’s items and are sold for high amounts in auctions.
Because they are so durable, usually made from stoneware, silver, pewter, wood, and sometimes porcelain, when a public house or brewery buy them branded, they know they will last a lot longer than glass drinking vessels, which keeps their brand on show for longer.
When they are given away as a promotional gift as part of a marketing campaign, they will make much more of an impression than a glass.
The Case for Beer Glasses
Just as some people insist that their beer tastes better from German beer steins, the glass lovers will insist it tastes best from their favorite glass. The science of the best way to drink beer is not new, and it is constantly coming up with ideas, manufacturers usually opting for different types of glass to enhance the flavor of their beer.
A glass will let you see the color and make sure the beer is clear, as it should be. It seems that even the shape of a beer glass can be important though; some drinkers preferring tall straight glasses and others the more curved type.
Glass will not retain any flavor from previous drinks, so will never affect the taste of your beer. Some materials do retain flavor over time, which some beer stein drinkers see as a positive, but if you prefer a clean taste every time, it should be glass for you.
Is It Down to Personal Choice?
This is an argument that will go on forever because at the end of the day there will always be some drinkers that prefer steins and other that prefer glasses. Some people see beer steins as a classier product, and where beer steins do win without a doubt, is the fact that they are more durable and more recognizable. The choice of materials and colors and the fact that designs can be put on them so easily makes them unique compared to glasses that are mass produced.