Upper Midwest Society of Steinologists
A nonprofit organization devoted to studying and collecting drinking vessels particularly antique beer steins and related objects -- a resource for collectors in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa (1968-2010)
Of Historical Interest
I will add some history on this page that may or may not be of interest to stein collectors.
Coat of arms of Munich
The coat of arms of Munich (Münchner Wappen) depicts a young monk dressed in black holding a red book. It has existed in a similar form since the 13th century, though at certain points in its history it has not depicted the central figure of the monk at all. As the German name for Munich, i.e. München, means of Monks, the monk in this case is a self-explanatory symbol who represents the city of Munich. Appearing on a document of May 28, 1239, the oldest seal of Munich has a picture of a monk wearing an open hood. While all seal impressions show the monk with the book in one hand and three outstretched fingers in the other, the monk has varied slightly, appearing in profile, then later full-faced and bare-headed. By the 19th century the figure was portrayed as youthful and became known as the Münchner Kindl or Munich Child. The coat of arms in its current form was created in 1957 and is still an important symbol of the Bavarian state capital.
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As the German name for Munich, i.e. München, means "of Monks", the monk in this case is a self-explanatory symbol who represents the city of Munich. The figure is portrayed wearing a golden trimmed black cowl with a black hood and red shoes. The right hand is raised and the left carries a red book.
The open right hand of the monk is interpreted as an oath-making gesture, or a blessing gesture in Christian tradition. The red book in the left hand refers to the oath book of the city (in accordance with the gesture of the right hand), or the munincipal law book which is bounded in red and has been handed down since 1365 Another interpretation is that it is a gospel bookWhen the Munich town administration developed a constitution of its council, a seal was necessary for the purposes of asserting the authenticity of town-council documents. Appearing on a document of May 28, 1239, the oldest seal of Munich has a picture of a monk wearing an open hood. While all seal impressions show the monk with the book in one hand and three outstretched fingers in the other, the monk has varied slightly, appearing in profile, then later full-faced and bare-headed. The monk as a sole heraldic figure can be found on a seal dating from the year 1304, and on flags of the city since the middle of the 14th century Colourful representations of the town's coat of arms stem from the 15th century.
Münchner Kindl
In the course of the few centuries up until the current version of 1957, the coat of arms has undergone some distinctly visible changes. While some 15th century portrayals already show a child figure instead of the monk, the monk in representations onwards began to lose its serious disposition, with curly hair and a more youthful looking face. By the 18th century and especially the 19th century, the monk had been minimised into the Munchner Kindl, Bavarian for Munich Child, a reference to the figure first documented in 1727, although it is not clear when it appeared on the coat of arms for the first time or who coined the term. The transformation was brought about by artists such as sculptors and painters as well as copper and seal engravers, as opposed to a legal order.
from wikipedia
Theodore Hamm Brewing Company
View of the Hamm Brewery from Swede's Hollow. Mr. Hamm's mansion stands at upper right, like a medieval castle looming over a village of serfs...
Theodore Hamm was born in Germany in 1825 and came to St. Paul at the age of 31. Nine years later, in 1865, he inherited a mill and the Excelsior Brewery from his friend and business associate, A. F. Kellar. Kellar had built the brewery over deep artesian wells situated in the sandstone bluffs above the Phalen Creek valley (known as Swede's Hollow).
Hamm hired Chris Figg as masterbrewer, and by the end of his first year had five employees, who churned out 500 barrels of beer. By 1886, Theodore was joined by his son, William, and they employed 75 employees. Turning out 40,000 barrels that year, the T. Hamm Brewing Co. was the second largest in the state.
Theodore Hamm passed away in 1903, leaving the operation to his son and grandson, William Jr. By 1912, the brewery was producing 2000 barrels of beer per day. It continued to prosper up until and through Prohibition, manufacturing near beer, soft drinks, syrups, ice, cigars, and even sardines.
In 1968, after years of takeovers and buyouts in order to become a national brand, Hamm's itself was bought by the Heublein Brewing Company, which in turn sold the brewery to Olympia, which would eventually merge with Pabst. The Stroh Brewing Company acquired the brewery in 1984 and it stands so today. Although little remains of the original structures, the plant is still an impressive place, looming at the head of Phalen Creek where the water was so clear and pure as to be judged perfect for beer making.
About This Site
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.
Our Calendar of Events
Newest Members
Recent Photos
About 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..
Join Us Page
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.
David Harr Professional Pewter Restoration
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
Future Conventions
2010 Myrtle Beach, Sc.
2011 New England area
(Every year since 1967
SCI has hosted an
annual convention).
Chapter & Verse
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.
Chapter links
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.
Recent Videos
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History of the Munich Child
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
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.
Lederhosen
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.
Beer Stein Purse
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
Of Historical Interest
Featuring local landmark the
Hamm's Brewery located
near the Swede Hollow area
of St. Paul.
General Stein Info
A bit of history and other
information about
Westerwald Pottery
steins (1600-1914)
Every Site Can Use a Recipe!
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.
News from Germany
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