Leo Gillick
A full stein of beer is nothing to scoff at. A traditionally sized one can hold a liter. That’s a considerable weight to have to hold at arm’s length for any long amount of time. But that’s just what this competition surrounding steins taking the US by storm demands.
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Now, usually, A liter of beer wouldn’t ever get at arm’s length. It’s going to remain in the general vicinity of my mouth until it’s finished. Holding it at arm’s length would only be done briefly to marvel at its cold, glistening, frothy beauty.
What A Way To Waste A Beer: However, there is a competition that requires people to hold full steins with a straight arm for as long as possible. The challenge, known as masskrugstemmen, has very simple rules. The full stein, weighing around 5 pounds, must be held at arm’s length. It must be parallel to the floor. Elbows and backs cannot be bent. Longest hold wins.
- The competition was, of course, started in Germany. It was used to mark the end of the German-American Steuben Parade and the start of Munich’s Oktoberfest. It’s almost like the longest ‘Cheers’ imaginable.
Tough Competition
Drinking the delicious beer within the steins is only an afterthought for these formidable forearmed competition challengers. The steins are typically completely warm by the time they have finished. The length of time they are held has been increasing every year.
Tankard Training: As the popularity of the stein-holding competition spreads, so does the quality of competitors. Only a few years back, the male competitors were topping out at 11 minutes; however, now they’re clearing 20. According to the steiners, it’s all about technique over power.
- “People think: This is just about grip strength, this is just about arm strength,” one competitor told the NY Post. “I just squeezed my butt and I stayed even on my legs and I let my body be the foundation.”
As a result of the spreading popularity, more people are getting involved. The prize money climbs every year, and people are even returning to defend standing records. The prize money is also climbing as the competition develops into regional and national levels.
