Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition

Test Your Strength in the Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition, presented by Pella Windows & Doors of Dayton!

Masskrugstemmen, or beer Steinholding, is a relatively new sport in America, but its popularity has been growing quickly. We are excited to bring this longstanding sport to the Dayton Art Institute’s Oktoberfest as an official U.S. Steinholding Association qualifying event!

Our Steinholding competition will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2027, at 2 PM in front of the main museum entrance. The women’s category will compete first, followed by the men’s category.

How to Compete

If you have not already, you must purchase your Oktoberfest general admission ticket (either a Weekend Pass or a Sunday single-day ticket).
Register in advance for the competition.
Meet us at the food court stage at 1:45 PM on Sunday, September 26, to check in for the competition.

FAQs

What is Steinholding / Masskrugstemmen / stein hoisting?

Steinholding is a traditional Bavarian strength contest in which competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein (or Masskrug in German) out in front of their bodies with a straight arm parallel to the ground. You hold as long as you can, and the last person holding with good form is the winner. For more details, see the Official Steinholding Rules page.

How much does the stein weigh?

A full one-liter dimpled glass stein weighs approximately 5 pounds. The stein itself alone weighs around 3 pounds and, filled to the 1L line, the beer weighs about 34 ounces.

What is the world record for Steinholding?

There isn’t currently a world-level competition, so the U.S. national record is considered to be the world record. The U.S. Men’s National Record is currently 21 minutes, 17 seconds. The U.S. Women’s National Record is currently 6 minutes, 10 seconds.

When and where is the DAI Oktoberfest steinholding competition?

Our 2nd annual steinholding competition will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the food court stage. The women’s category will compete first, followed by the men’s category.

What does it cost to participate?

$10 and valid Oktoberfest admission

What happens if I win?

Congratulations! You get all the steinholding bragging rights – plus you get to keep your stein, along with a DAI prize pack, and you’ll qualify for the U.S. Steinholding Association Ohio State Championships.

How do you pronounce “Masskrugstemmen”?

MAHSS-kroog-stem-men, approximately. Or you can save your strength for the competition and just call it Steinholding.