There Is More To A Glass Beer Mug Than You Think
Beer-Brews.com


Defined Tag: Glass Beer Mug.

Glass is the cheapest of all the popular materials. Unlike other materials, such as pewter, crystal, and stoneware mugs, glass handles and mugs are made together in one mold. Usually the only handwork needed is the application of a design.

Glass mugs have been around for centuries. Some of the earliest known steins date back to the mid 1500’s. Because of the age of these steins, they have turned to a slightly darker, murkier color. Despite the coloring, these mugs have beautiful details and designs engraved and painted onto them

Enameling glass mugs was the most popular way to design them, because it was so easy. All it involved was painting the powdered, colored glass, and then a heating to stick the design to the glass.

Another, earlier way of designing the mugs was called cold- painting, which was typically done with oil paints. However, the paintings did not last long, which is why this method was more often seen on the oldest glass beer mugs.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the most common type of glass was milk glass. This was used in place of porcelain, and was made by mixing tin oxide with the other glass making ingredients. While it worked sufficiently back in the old days, as they age they generally change into a murkier color, like I stated earlier.

It is amazing how intricate and beautiful designs were on old glass beer mugs. Some popular themes in that time were heraldic symbols, flowers, portraits cities, and hunting scenes. These are just a few, and you can imagine how amazing the designs must have looked against clear or colored glass.

Nowadays we have our own types of glass beer mugs. You can get engraved mugs, plain mugs, and personalized mugs. However, they also sell antique mugs as well. They would make a wonderful collectors item, with all the incredibly intricate designs and pictures painted all over the body.

While beer mug making methods have changed over the years, you can still get beautifully designed glass mugs today. They make wonderful gifts for any friend or relative.