The Emperor Karl V's Bierkrug

This is the beer stein handmade in Germany’s famous Westerwald region that depicts the divison of Karl V’s kingdom in the mid-16th century. Meticulously reproduced from a Medieval original, it is crafted in Höhr-Grenzhausen by Thewalt, the oldest stein manufacturer in the world (Est. 1893), using handcrafted artistry rooted in the region’s earthenware tradition that began along the banks of the Rhine in the early 1st Century. The stein depicts the iconic German Emperor abdicating the throne of Spain and as Holy Roman Emperor in 1556—a milestone historic event that was the closest Europe came to a universal monarchy. Made from the same clay that has made Westerwald’s pottery world-renowned, its octagonal base ensures steady footing when filled with one’s preferred Helles, Doppelbock, or Weißbier. Its pewter lid—a feature required by an early 16th-century German law for protecting beverages from flies—opens smoothly on a hinge with the thumb for deep quaffs. 10 1/4" H x 5" W x 7 1/2" D. (2 lbs.)