BREWERIANA: Villeroy & Boch 2-liter Stein with Lid

Here's another big Bier Krug (aka beer stein) gifted to me a year or so ago. This large tankard features a decaled image of ??? - don't know who - some random Shakespearean era bar fly? And of course, like many steins, this too is lidded. It really is a nice piece and among the largest in the collection.

Ed

BREWERIANA: Parkbräu Bier .5l 'P' 1961 Oktober-Fest

This is the last Parkbräu piece I have to blog. I totally forgot where I got this from, but unlike nearly all my other Parkbräu pieces, which I acquired in Good 'Ol Deutschland, I believe this one was a fleaBay purchase.

Ed

BREWERIANA: Gerz .5l Bier Krug / Beer Stein Geometric Design with Lid

Here's another beer stein I bought at the factory seconds store located on the grounds of the Gerz factory in Sessenbach, GE in  the early '90s. It's another example of finding gems in that store as I have yet to figure out why this would have been rejected as a 'second' or cast-off. Maybe because the blue band at the top is a bit uneven in its coloring. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

BREWERIANA: American Flea Market Find Marzi and Remi, GE .5l Bier Krug

Here's a great salt-glazed blue/gray 1/2 liter Bier Krug (beer stein) from Marzi and Remi. After spending many years in Good Ol' Deutschland and buying oodles of beer steins and stuff, we found this little gem at a flea market about a half mile from the house! LOL. We couldn't resist and brought it home :-) Enjoy! Opa Fritz

BREWERIANA: George AFB, 35th Supply Squadron Beer Stein

A little souvenir beer stein from my first air base: George AFB, Victorville, California. This would date from 1980 and is lettered for the 35th Supply Squadron. The unit's slogan was "Let's Make SNO Together" which was short for "Let's Make Supply Number One Together" and the stein itself was an award from when I had won the unit's Airman of The Month Award for August 1980, then later the Base Airman of The Month. A year or so later the unit was redesignated the 831st Supply Squadron but I have no mugs or anything with that logo. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Accepting the unit award from my Commander, Maj. Handrahan

Eales of Sheffield Pewter Beer Mug With Glass Bottom

While I have a ton of beer stuff from Germany, not all of my collection dates from my time there in the '80s. I've always been a collector. From the earliest days I can remember collecting stuff and sometimes it didn't take much to trigger the collecting urge. Somewhere along the line, mugs, souvenir drinking glasses, and other vessels meant to hold liquid, grabbed a hold of my collector's heart and off I went! 

Even before I acquired this mug (or stein) I had amassed a small collection of drinking vessels. This particular one I received as a present for standing up for (or rather being a part of) my cousins wedding party. The best man, as well as we others, all received one of these beautiful beer mugs with glass bottoms (made by Eales of Sheffield in England) as presents. In addition, each mug was engraved with the recipient's name. Wow! Most of the other pieces from that first collection are gone, but you can bet this one was a keeper! I believe this is the only mug/glass/stein I have with a glass bottom so that too makes it special. As for my cousin's marriage, wellll let's just say the mug outlasted her marriage by many decades. As well, sadly, my cousin passed away some years back so this is a reminder of family, fun times, and a rich past. Until next time - Cheers! Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit Der Gemütlichkeit

We had friends visit us from Good Ol' Deutschland this past week and on Sunday night were treated to a nice dinner at the Hofbräuhaus here in Las Vegas.

We've been there before with other guests and it remains a popular destination. The food, beer, music, and atmosphere are authentic. Curry wurst, Jaegerschnitzel, German Chocolate cake, and cheese cake were on the plates.

But I have to say one thing - if you want to end your stay and still be able to hear, ask to sit in the 'Biergarten' portion of the restaurant in the back. The main hall in the front of the restaurant is non-stop LOUD! The Biergarten is actually larger than the main hall and is quite nice - and you'll be able to carry on a conversation without the need for shouting at the top of your lungs! Really, my ears hurt all the way home and were ringing most of Monday!!

As often as we've been there, I've yet to pick up a souvenir of the place. I wanted a stein that said 'Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas' on it but they wanted like $180 for one. Nope! So I saw this odd shaped stein and picked it up for about $15. I didn't realize this was part of a set - this one is the female with Dirndl version and then there's a male with Lederhosen one. It's cool and one day perhaps I'll complete the set.Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

'The Ringer' Beer Glass

Here's a good example of a novelty glass or mug, it's just a normal looking glass with a bicycle type ringer on the handle meant to get the attention of the bartender I s'pose - that is, if you were allowed to bring your glass into the bar!

Parkbräu Bier / Beer .5l 'P' w-Tophat Barrel Mug by Marzi and Remy - Ceramic

Here's a nicely designed beer mug in the shape of a beer barrel. The maker's mark at the bottom is an 'M' over 'R' within a box whic I believe is Marzi and Remy founded in 1879 in Höhr, Hesse-Nassau, Prussia. (now Höhr-Grenzhausen, Rhineland-Palatinate) very close to Bettina's hometown in the Westerwald. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina