Hold Your Beer for as Long as You Can During Stein-holding Competition

Can you hold your beer?

I mean literally hold your beer? Probably not as well as the stein-holding champions going into the final round of Krause’s Cafe’s Masskrugstemmen competition.

On July 14, 2017, Krause’s Cafe is wrapping up its final Masskrugstemmen of the year. This is an annual tradition held in New Braunfels, Texas, part of the restaurant’s multi-year search for those willing to give 100 percent in the name of good beer.

What Is a Masskrugstemmen Competition?

A Masskrugstemmen (“Mahss-kroog-stem-men”) is a Bavarian strongman competition that existed in Europe long before German immigrants brought the tradition to Texas Hill Country.

In short, competitors form up to see how long they can endure the pain of holding a one-liter beer stein with a straight arm, parallel to the ground. Doing so is much easier said than done. The average competition stein weights about five and a half pounds, and competitors are disqualified as soon as they set the stein down. Believe it or not, the current American record for a Masskrugstemmen is just under twenty minutes, and that was with a long process of endurance training in preparation.

Training for a Masskrugstemmen looks like what you might expect. You drink a lot with friends, refill the steins, stand up, and hold. Check out this team of competitors preparing together:

Krause’s Cafe has been keeping this tradition alive for years, and it has become a favorite pastime for locals in the area. The annual competition starts at the beginning of summer and ends in mid-July. As the weekly competitions wear on, participants are cut and the survivors move on to the next round. The winner of the final round will be offered a chance to compete for entry into the Las Vegas Masskrugstemmen at Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas.

Traditionally German at Krause’s Cafe

Krause’s Cafe is a longstanding eatery in New Braunfels that combines traditional German food with Texas favorites. The cafe was created in 1935 and has been a focal point of Hill Country food and culture ever since.

After decades in operation, the cafe shut down in 1995. In 2016, the location reopened as a beer garden and beer hall. Since then, Krause’s Cafe has begun to make a name for itself through its wide variety of craft beers (around 70 are available on any given day). I have been to Krause’s Cafe twice, and loved it both times.

New Braunfels is a popular spot where Austinites go to float the river in inner tubes. My go-to summer weekend itinerary includes a few hours on the river with friends, and relaxing at Krause’s Cafe when the floating is done.

I’m happy to see Krause’s Cafe supporting German traditions like the Masskrugstemmen. Definitely check this place out–it’s located less than an hour south of downtown Austin.

There are two more Masskrugstemmens this year, on July 7 and July 14 at 8 p.m.

 

@DustyVegas wants to know:

Have you ever been to a Masskrugstemmen?

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