Overview
The worth of a cheap metal or pewter beer mug is in the eye of the beholder. Brand new ones can cost from $20 to as high as $190. However, if you find a German pewter stein in mint condition for $40, you'd have to consider that a bargain. To avoid high prices from the start, avoid searching in antique stores, since their prices will have a higher markup.
Step 1
Go to yard sales. These are great places to find anything for a reduced price. Visit the sales as soon as they start. People like to get there early to get great bargains.
Step 2
Comb through pawn shops, second-hand and thrift stores. A better-made metal or pewter beer mug will cost you more at a pawn shop than it will at a thrift store, but a pawnbroker will likely charge you less than if you bought it brand new.
Step 3
Advertise that you're looking for pewter and metal mugs. Place an ad in your local and regional newspapers, and post notices in stores that have community bulletin boards.
Step 4
Network. Ask everyone you know if they have any mugs they want to get rid of. You'd be surprised how many people have these sitting in their attics or basements, and they'll probably give them to you for free.
Step 5
Look into companies that sell steins. Places such as DutchNovelties.com, Oktoberfesthaus.com and Steins.com sell both pewter and metal steins, but their prices vary from as low as $20 to as high as $190.
Step 6
Visit renaissance fairs. These gatherings often sell beer steins as memorabilia. Faires.com (see Resources) provides a list of renaissance fairs that are held around the world. Also visit shops that deal in medieval items such as swords, armor and costumes to see of they carry these beer mugs.
Resources
