Stein Holding
Get ready to test your strength and skills! Oktoberfest Pittsburgh is bringing back the Stein Holding contest!
Stein holding Registration Now Open!
A Feat of Strength
Stein holding, also known as Masskrugstemmen, is a traditional Bavarian strength and endurance contest where competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein for as long as possible without bending the elbow or spilling any beer. The competitor who can hold their stein with proper form for the longest duration is the winner.
Schedule
2-2:30 PM, 6-6:30 PM, 8-8:30 PM
2-2:30 PM, 6-6:30 PM
Rules
- The competitor who can hold their stein with proper form (as described in the rules below) for the longest without being disqualified by the judge will be considered the winner.
- An infraction of any rule will result in a strike being issued by the competition judge. After two strikes, the third strike results in immediate disqualification of the competitor.
- If any amount of beer spills or drips off of the stein, the competitor is immediately disqualified, regardless of the number of strikes previously assigned.
- Once the match has started as signaled by the judge, the competitors will immediately extend their arms, and may not set the stein back down, switch hands, or touch the stein with their off-hand (hand not holding the stein).
Regulations
1. A 1L dimpled glass stein with handle weighing approximately 3 lbs must be used.
2.The stein must be filled with liquid up to the 1L line marked on the stein.
3.The stein must be gripped by the handle.
4.The thumb may not rest on top of the stein handle; it must rest on the other fingers.
5.The pinkie finger may be held outside of the stein handle. If positioned outside the handle, it may touch the stein handle, but it may not touch the body of the stein.
6.The stein must be gripped such that the front (the side of stein opposite the handle) faces directly away from the competitor, extending in parallel with the arm.
7.Limited arching of the back is permitted, however only minimal leaning is acceptable. In the vertical plane, the competitor’s elbow must never cross behind the back of the ankle of either foot, and the competitor’s armpit must never cross in front of the hips or toes of either foot.
8.Significant leaning to the left or right side is unacceptable. The upper torso may not be noticeably angled to the competitor’s left or right side, and the line between a competitor’s shoulder blades should remain close to parallel to the ground.
9.The stein must be held out directly in front of the competitor, not out to the side. The line between a competitor’s shoulders should remain close to perpendicular with the arm holding the stein.
10.The arm holding the stein must remain close to parallel with the ground and from a side view should remain close to perpendicular with the line of the torso from the neck to the bottom of the rib cage. The arm holding the stein must be extended straight with no bending at the elbow.
11.The arm holding the stein must remain separated from the chest and torso of the competitor. The chest and torso may not be used to support the arm.
12.The off-hand should remain at the competitor’s side and may not touch or support the stein or the arm holding the stein. The off-hand/non-holding arm may be held in a straightened position against the competitor’s side but may not otherwise be used to brace or support the competitor’s torso.
13.Competitors may not contact any other structures, objects, or people during the competition.
14.Competitors must stand within their personal area and may not move more than is necessary to make adjustments ensuring proper form during the competition.
15.If any amount of the liquid filling the stein spills or drips off of the stein, the competitor is immediately disqualified, regardless of the number of strikes otherwise assigned. NOTE: During outdoor competitions or in humid conditions, judges must take care to differentiate between dripping resulting from condensation or sweat, and dripping resulting from spillage.
