Most Iowa Men Can Only Last 3-5 Minutes

I'll be honest, I don't even last that long. I've tried numerous times to improve my stamina over the years, with not much success. You can ask any woman that has seen me in action, I just can't go that long.

I'm sure you've guessed by now that I'm referring to Masskrugstemmen ---- Steinholding.

What is Steinholding? It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a traditional Bavarian strength contest, where contestants hold a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm. Whoever holds the stein the longest is the winner. That’s it! (scroll down for videos)

According to the U.S. Steinholding Association, the average male competitor lasts somewhere in the 3-5 minute range, and women can typically hold the steins between one and two minutes.

So, how much does the Stein filled with beer weigh? According to US Steinholding, a full one-liter dimpled glass stein should weigh approximately 5 pounds.

You can find Steinholding competitions all over the U.S. The Amana Colonies had a contest in June. The Oktoberfest in Des Moines will feature a contest on September 25^th.

The current U.S. Men’s National Record holder, who held a stein for 21 minutes and 17 seconds in 2018 in New York City. The U.S. Women's National Record is currently 5 minutes, 34 seconds, set in New York City in 2019.

THE OFFICIAL RULES:

1. An infraction of any rule will result in a strike being issued by the competition judge. After two strikes, the third strike results in immediate disqualification of the competitor.
2. If any amount of beer spills or drips off of the stein, the competitor is disqualified, regardless of the number of strikes previously assigned.
3. Once the match has started and the competitor has extended their arm, they may not set the stein back down, switch hands, or touch the stein with their off-hand to make any adjustments to grip.
4. A 1L dimpled glass stein with a handle must be used. The stein itself should weigh approximately 3 lbs.
5. The stein must be filled with liquid to the 1L lip.
6. The stein must be gripped by the handle.
7. The thumb may not rest on top of the stein handle; it must rest on the other fingers.
8. The pinkie finger may be held outside of the handle. If the pinkie is outside the handle, it may only touch the handle, not the main body of the stein.
9. The stein must be gripped such that the front of the stein faces away from the competitor. The stein may not be gripped sideways.
10. Limited arching of the back is tolerable, however, only minimal leaning is acceptable. In the vertical plane, the competitor's elbow must never cross behind the front of the hips or the front of the ankle of either foot.
11. Leaning to the left or right side is unacceptable; the upper torso may not be noticeably angled to the left or right side and the line between a competitor's shoulder blades should remain close to parallel to the ground.
12. The stein must be held out directly in front of the competitor, not out to the side. The line between a competitor's shoulders should remain close to perpendicular with the arm holding the stein.
13. The arm holding the stein must remain close to parallel with the ground and should be extended straight with no bending at the elbow.
14. The arm holding the stein must remain separated from the chest of the competitor. The chest may not be used as a shelf to support the arm.
15. The off-hand should remain at the competitor's side or back and may not touch or support the arm holding the stein.
16. Competitors may not contact any other structures, objects, or people during the competition.
17. Competitors must stand within their personal area and may not move more than is necessary to make adjustments ensuring proper form during the competition.
18. If any amount of beer spills or drips off of the stein, the competitor is disqualified, regardless of the number of strikes previously assigned.