Maß

The title of this article contains the character ß. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Mass.

Four Maß of Märzen at Oktoberfest

The Maß (pronounced [ˈmas] and the Bavarian word of female grammatical gender, thus die Maß, for a mug containing one litre of liquid, though commonly misinterpreted as the Standard German noun Maß, pronounced [ˈmaːs] and gramatically neuter, thus das Maß, and translating to "measure") is a term used in German-speaking countries for a unit of volume, now typically used only for measuring beer sold for immediate on-site consumption. In modern times, a Maß is defined as exactly 1 litre.

Maß is often used as an abbreviation for Maßkrug (plural: Maßkrüge), a one litre volume glass drinking vessel with a handle. This is frequently used in Bavarian beer gardens and beer halls and is a staple of Oktoberfest. It is often referred to as a beer stein or beer mug by English speakers.

Measurement

In the Southern German areas (Austro-Bavarian), the Maß originally measured 1.069 litres, equivalent to 2.259 US or 1.881 UK pints. Other German speaking areas had different measures. In Baden until 1871, and Switzerland from 1838 through 1877 the Maß was 1.5 litres.

Since beer for immediate consumption is usually sold in smaller amounts, between 0.2 and 0.5 litres, in the more northerly parts of Germany, the Maß has mostly fallen out of use there, except for Bavarian-themed events.

Drinkware and souvenirs

German Maßkrug of Augustiner Bräu.

A Maßkrug can be made of stoneware or of glass. A stoneware mug can be referred to as a "Humpen", "Steinkrug", or "Keferloher". A glass mug is referred to as a "Glaskrug." The Glaskrug is the mug most often used in beer gardens or at home. Many Steinkrüge are designed for decorative use only. Old or collectible Maßkrüge with lead-based firing glaze should not be used for drinking. These types of drinkware are among the most common souvenirs brought back from German speaking countries.

Some beer gardens and restaurants have spaces they rent out to patrons where they can store their Maßkrug. For a small monthly rent the establishment will wash your mug and keep it safe for you until you return. Sometimes the rent goes up with the prominence of the storage location.

Maßkrüge are frequently decorated with a print of the sign of the brewery. On the upper end, a calibration mark is found to which the beer (not counting the foam) must be filled when served (but Bavarian hospitality dictates that the mark should be somewhat exceeded). Using Maßkrüge without a calibration mark, or with a mark that is below the true 1 litre position, is prosecuted as fraud.

If a Maß belongs to a person then often a lid made of tin is attached. These lids bear engravings, usually the initials of the person it belongs to and some engraving that gives a hint to the owners profession, wit or affections.

Usage of the term

Frequently the singular is used in situations where the plural might be expected. "Zwei Maß" will yield two, "zehn Maß" will yield ten.

To order you could say "Eine Maß Augustiner, bitte" for instance if you wanted the beer Augustiner (and note, while "der Maßkrug" is male, a Maß of beer is referred to as female—"die Maß"). Whoever orders a Maß of beer as "ein Maß" instead of "eine Maß" would out himself as non-Bavarian. A Bavarian would order "â Mâß". However in Austria Maß is referred to as neuter making "Ein Maß Augustiner, bitte" the correct version. Ordering "eine Maß" would out someone as non-Austrian.

Masskrugstemmen

Masskrugstemmen is a strength competition that is gaining in notoriety during Oktoberfest season. It is holding a full Masskrug of beer at arms length until there is a winner. There are a few rules: 1) Do not spill the bier! 2) The arm must be straight, no bent elbows. 3) Your arm must be perpendicular to the ground and in front of your chest.Video

The world record was set in Germany and contests are growing in popularity in the U.S.

See also

• Beer stein
• Mug
• Oktoberfest
• Tankard