Test Your Strength in the Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition!

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 inaugural steinholding competition will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at 2 p.m. in front of the main museum entrance. The women’s category will compete first, followed by the men’s category. Those interested in competing can sign up for the men’s category or women’s category here! There is no cost to compete; however, all competitors must have valid admission to the Oktoberfest festival. 

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). [CLICK HERE]
• Register in advance for the competition here.
• Meet us in front of the main museum entrance at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, to check in for the competition. The women’s category will compete first, followed by the men’s category.

Have more questions? Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s greatest Fest-Sport.

Q: What is Steinholding / Masskrugstemmen / stein hoisting?
A: 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.

Q: How much does the stein weigh?
A: 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.

Q: What is the world record for Steinholding?
A: 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.

Q: When and where is the DAI Oktoberfest steinholding competition?
A: Our inaugural steinholding competition will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at 2 p.m. in front of the main museum entrance. The women’s category will compete first, followed by the men’s category.

Q: What does it cost to participate?
A: There is no cost to compete. However, all competitors must have valid admission to the Oktoberfest festival; see below for pricing and a link to purchase advance tickets:

Saturday/Sunday General Admission
Advance Tickets: $8 adults; $5 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18)
Weekend Pass: $15
Tickets at the Gate: $10 adults; $7 seniors (60+) & youth (7-18)
Children 6 & under admitted free

[PURCHASE TICKETS HERE]

Q: What happens if I win?
A: 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, happening on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati.

Q: How do you pronounce “Masskrugstemmen”?
A: MAHSS-kroog-stem-men, approximately. Or you can save your strength for the competition and just call it Steinholding.