Tapping Of The Beer Keg 6L By KING (Circa 1960)

Own A Piece Of History From The Stepanek Business

The Westerwald (“Western Woods”) is a region in Germany, located between Frankfurt and Cologne, known for its rich, high-quality clay deposits and its long tradition of ceramic production and beer steins. The period from 1960 to 1980 was characterised by strong economic growth and increasing prosperity. Consumers placed more value on design and aesthetics, which forced manufacturers to offer more creative and fashionable products. High quality and "individualism" became prevalent in the production of beer steins.  Prior to this, previous designs had been produced in large quantities. Now, many different shapes and designs had to be developed and produced in much smaller numbers to suit this changing demand. 

This stein is from the former Stepanek family business in Höhr-Grenzhausen. Mr. Stepanek produced elaborate pewter lids and then applied them to the steins he bought. As his lids are of very high quality and value, he only refined relatively large and elaborately produced steins. He therefore served the market’s upper price segment for steins. The majority of the steins refined by Mr. Stepanek were produced in a small family business (Girmscheid) in Höhr-Grenzhausen. There is a high probability that there are very limited quantities remaining of this particular stein, however it is difficult to ascertain remaining quantities worldwide. Therefore, owning a Stepanek stein means to own a rare piece of history.

This beer stein was produced circa 1960 in the Westerwald region, an area famed for its ceramic artistry. It is highly likely that it was manufactured by the Girmscheid pottery family from Höhr-Grenzhausen. The lid, a testament to quality, was cast and attached by Sepanek, known for his expertise in pewter work. This stein is not only a valuable and rare example of German craftsmanship but also a piece that represents a blend of cultural humour and artistry. Any collector would be fortunate to include this exceptional item into their collection, celebrating the rich tradition of German beer culture.

About This Stein:

This German beer stein embodies the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of mid-20th Century Westerwald pottery. Authentic and impressive at 6-litres, this ceramic beer stein stands proudly at 64 cm tall and weighs approximately 4 kg. It is a true work of art, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and fine details.

The central motif of the stein depicts a gentleman seated in a traditional beer cellar. His attire, including his hat and pocket watch, suggests that it is either a Sunday or a holiday day. Seated beside a beer barrel, he raises a beer stein to his mouth whilst holding a refill in his other hand. His demeanour and surroundings indicate he has already consumed a considerable amount of beer and has become indifferent to the world around him.

Beneath this vivid scene is a verse that humorously contrasts the drinking motif. The text reads, “Wie könnt ich Dein vergessen – Ich weiß was du mir bist,” represented as the opening lines of the poem “Mein Lieben” by Hoffmann von Fallersleben, likely written in 1836.

This poem expresses a profound love for one’s homeland, a love so intense that the poet would sacrifice anything, even his life, for it. The depiction on the stein underscores the saying, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak": whilst the man in the scene may feel a sense of patriotic fervour, he appears fully devoted to his beer-drinking pursuits.

The intricate relief motifs are hand-painted in a rustic style, portraying scenes of hops, malt, and barley—essential ingredients in brewing fine German beer. The beer barrel also features a radish, with additional radishes adorning a continuous relief band at the base of the stein. A heavy, hand-crafted pewter lid crowns the tall, slender stein, adding to its distinguished character. This stunning beer stein is a true collector’s item, celebrating the rich tradition of German craftsmanship and the spirit of the hunt. Perfect for display or to enhance your drinking experience!

Key Features:

• Authentic German beer stein
• Original production by the Stepanek family business
• Produced with clay from the Westerwald region
• Made from ceramic and genuine pewter
• Theme: Tapping Of The Beer Keg
• Sturdy handle
• Pewter lid
• Hand painted
• Made in Germany circe 1960
• Volume: 6L
• Height: 64cm
• Excellent gift idea for the drinking enthusiast
• Fast delivery Australia wide
• Free delivery on orders over $400
• Happiness guaranteed

Authentic German Beer Steins

Be spoiled for choice at our huge range of authentic German beer steins. As well as serving up your next cold brew (or warm gluhwein), our beer steins make for outstanding display pieces that can be used for special occasions, events and memorable moments to be celebrated. On offer are a wide variety of limited edition, unique and hand-painted pieces direct from our supplier in the Westerwald region of Germany. Choose from a range of different German designs, themes and materials including pewter, stoneware and ceramic. Our extensive selection includes themed designs such as Oktoberfest, German heritage, sports, fantasy, animal themed designs, and even historical moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall (some of our beer steins feature an actual piece of the Berlin wall attached on the lid of the stein). We also supply drinking horns, and drinking steins made entirely of crystal!

Disclaimer:

Whilst we do our best to accurately capture all products to best represent their natural appearance, the colour and finish of this product may vary slightly from the images on our website.