Upper Midwest Society of Steinologists

We are a group of stein collectors.  As collectors our interests are varied, from all types of beer steins to related items and other antiques.  Collector's are after all collectors, it is a state of mind.  The purpose of this Upper Midwest Society of Steinologists web-site is to find others in our community who may have an interest in collectible beer steins, to provide some basic information about steins and then feature links to where you can find more information.    If you have an interest in collectible beer steins we hope you will join us.

 Founded in 1968, our club has about 35 members that meet in March, May, September and November.  Meetings include stein talk and interesting speakers and usually a pot luck meal.  Members come from Minnesota and across the river in Wisconsin  and Iowa too. Do check the "About Us"  page of this website for pictures and more..

We are working hard to build our membership this year and we will welcome you heartily and introduce you to many other collectors. It is a fun and interesting group.

Membership in the Upper Midwest Society of Steinologists is $10 per year. That amount is for a single or a couple.  Go to our membership page if you have any questions there is a place for you to join.

Pewter Repair Services I Offer: I can attach a lid to your stein (either your original lid, your replacement lid, or a lid from my inventory), attach a thumblift to your stein (your original, your replacement, or one from my inventory), straighten or remove dents from pewter fittings, repair/restore your original pewter lid (modeling and casting) and more. I use chemicals to age my pewter repairs, and am usually able to match or reproduce the natural patina, although this cannot be 100% guaranteed. I do not sell parts, molds, chemicals or other supplies for pewter repair. steinsetc@charter.net

2010 Myrtle Beach, Sc.

2011 New England area

(Every year since 1967

SCI has hosted an

annual convention).

The Newsletter from the Chapter Liason for SCI.  This keeps us up to date on news from President, and various officers and updated on the annual convention.

The "Links Page" contains links to other stein collecting chapters in the US and in Germany.www.steinverin.com, www.erstegruppe.com www.keysteiners.8k.com   These are just a few examples for more visit our links page.

All stein collectors are familiar with the picture of a child, dressed in a cowl, with radishes in one hand, a filled beer stein in the other, smiling devilishly from a stein decoration. The saying on the stein is usually Gruss aus München, or translated, "Regards from Munich". But how many collectors know that this figure is really a semi-comic take-off of the official Munich coat-of-arms?

Here are a few historic notes about Munich, its coat-of-arms, and the Munich Child (Münchner Kindl):

The first written proof of Munich as a small settlement of monks dates from 1158 A.D. With the increase of the population, the town administration developed a constitution of the council. Soon a seal was used to prove the authenticity of town-council documents. The oldest seal of Munich, of which only fragments are left, with the presumable inscription "Sigillum Civitatis Monacensis" and the picture of a monk wearing an open hood, appears on a document of May 28, 1239.

In the course of the following centuries a number of slightly varying representations of the seal were used. But all of them show the monk with the book (of city laws) in his left hand, while his right hand with three outstretched fingers is held up. Next to most of these seals is shown a town gate and an eagle, which, in the fourteenth century, is replaced by a lion (of the coat-of-arms of the reigning dynasty of the Wittelsbachs). For some time the monk was represented in profile, later full-face and bare-headed.

Colorful representations of the town coat-of-arms go back to the fifteenth century. From then on the features of the heraldic figure began to lose their serious character, the face became more youthful, the hair sometimes even curly.

The present form of the official coat-of-arms with a monk in black cowl, (law) book and blessing in right hand, was given to Munich by the reigning king, Louis I, on September 16, 1834.

The dirndl originated as a simplified form of folk costume; the uniform of Austrian servants in the 19th century (dirndlegewand means "maid's dress"). Simple forms were also worn commonly by working women in plain colours or a simple check. Originally, each village had its own style and crest. The Austrian upper classes adopted the dirndl as high fashion in the 1870s. Today, dirndls vary from simple styles to exquisitely crafted, very expensive models.

Traditionally, lederhosen were worn for hard physical work, since the ywere more durable than textile clothing and easier to clean.  They were widespread among German men of the Alpine and surrounding regions, including Austria, the highlands and mountains of Southern Germany. The concept of Lederhosen as quintessentially Bavarian clothing, and their use at festive occasions rather than for work, dates largely from this time.

A Stein collectors accessory! This Beer Stein Purse is the perfect accessory for our German Beer Girl costume! The nylon purse is in the shape of a beer mug with a shiny, silver handle and bottom and a gold middle. The foam is soft and zips open on the top. This will be one purse your boyfriend won't mind holding!

for only $13.99 from www.halloweencostumes.com

Featuring local landmark  the

Hamm's Brewery located

near  the Swede Hollow area

of St. Paul.

A bit of history and other

information about

Westerwald Pottery

steins (1600-1914)

 What is Spaetzle?

 Spaetzle literally means "little sparrows". Spaetzle are originally from the Baden-Württemberg area of Germany. Spaetzle are technically little dumplings, though most people refer to them as noodles. Spaetzle have been called "the potatoes of Württemberg" because they are ubiquitous on the table and in recipes. In many places in Baden-Württemberg a bowl of spaetzle and a salad is considered a meal (many of our customers feel the same way)!

 How do you make it?

The thick batter of egg, flour and water is dropped through a sieve and the little squiggles are boiled in water. Alternatively, they can be made of soft dough and cut quickly on a board held over a pot of boiling water. This method is more common in Baden-Württemburg; the sieve method is more common in Bavaria. Sometimes chicken stock or a pinch of tumeric is added to the water give the spaetzle a slightly yellow color;

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup milk

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 pinch freshly ground white pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 gallon hot water

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1.Mix together flour, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Beat eggs well, and add alternately with the milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.

2.Press dough through spaetzle maker, or a large holed sieve or metal grater.

3.Drop a few at a time into simmering liquid. Cook 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

4.Saute cooked spaetzle in butter or margarine. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve.

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