Why does tankard have a glass bottom?

Metal tankards often come with a glass bottom. The legend is that the glass-bottomed tankard was developed as a way of refusing the King’s shilling, i.e., conscription into the British Army or Navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thereby avoiding conscription.

Can you drink from a pewter tankard?

Pewter measures from the 17th and 18th centuries were made from an alloy of tin with a small percentage of lead which was used as a low cost bulking agent and help durability. With current understanding of the effect of heavy metals such as lead on the body, it is not advisable to use them for drinking purposes.

What is a pewter tankard?

Pewter tankards are finely crafted and differently shaped cups used for drinking beer. Made of Pewter, these tankards are available in a wide range of designs to serve regular drinkers in the world.

Why did old pewter mugs have a glass bottoms?

Tankards with glass bottoms meant that unwilling recruits could check their drinks first so they couldn’t be accused of having taken the King’s Shilling and joined up!

How do you seal a glass bottom pewter mug?

The gap between glass and pewter is sealed with putty (at least on my old one). Scrape the putty out carefully and replace it. If you can’t do this, or if there is no putty, superglue works really well for small cracks etc.

Why is pewter expensive?

Pewter pieces are often quite prized for their artistic merit and craftsmanship. Durability: Again, the softness of this alloy means that owners need to take some care with their pieces. On the other hand, they won’t have to worry about pewter tarnishing like silver and other metals do.

What is a glass tankard called?

Both steins and tankards are used for drinking beer from, but there are differences between them. A tankard is usually made from glass and has a handle, and it traditionally holds holds a pint of beer. A stein is a one litre or half-litre vessel that is often ceramic, and usually has a lid and a handle.

Is solid pewter worth money?

Pewter is a metal alloy of tin and lead, but it’s mostly composed of tin. Tin prices generally fluctuate between $7 and $11 per pound. When selling for scrap, you can expect to get roughly 50% of the current price – so scrap pewter, therefore, is generally worth around $3 to $5 per pound at a scrap yard.

What do you drink out of a tankard?

We recommend drinking cold drinks only from our cups, because pewter conducts heat and burnt lips hurt. So why is pewter so great for tankards? Pewter is the traditional choice. It’s been used by discerning drinkers since the middle ages.

Why did tankards have lids?

But lids did not start appearing on German steins until the Bubonic plague swept through Europe (in the 1300s), where insects appeared in their millions and attracted to the sweet smelling beer. The government decreed that all drinking establishments had to cover their stoneware with lids to prevent spread of disease.

Why do some pewter mugs have glass bottoms?

Sometimes the ‘King’s shilling’ was hidden in the bottom of a pewter tankard (having drunk his pint, the unfortunate drinker found that he had unwittingly accepted the King’s offer). As a result, some tankards were made with glass bottoms.

What’s the difference between a tankard and a stein?

A tankard is usually made from glass and has a handle, and it traditionally holds holds a pint of beer. A stein is a one litre or half-litre vessel that is often ceramic, and usually has a lid and a handle.