Haley Peterson was having a good time at Gottsshire Hall in Queens, enjoying some beers when the staff invited her to join the Stein Holding Competition for her group. She didn’t have a proper stein, but the rules were straightforward: hold a five-pound mug of beer with your arms as parallel to the floor as you can manage. If you bend your elbows or lean back, well, that could be problematic. And spilling? That’s an automatic disqualification. Drinking it afterward is, I guess, just a side thought—especially since it’s warm and flat.
“We’re young and hot,” Peterson, age 28, mentioned, maybe half-jokingly.
Little did she know, she’d end up being the last woman standing after 3 minutes and 21 seconds, which means she’ll represent her venue at the US HB Masskrugmen Final next week in Central Park. (HB stands for HofbräuUSA, the organizer and sponsor, and Masskrugstemmen is the fancy German term for Steinholding.)
“We had no idea we were getting into this,” said Peterson, who lives in Brooklyn.
The whole event was a loud and somewhat absurd spectacle that coincided with the end of the German-American Steuben Parade and the onset of Munich’s Oktoberfest. The competition took place on September 20th, right at the summer phase of Central Park, and featured 14 determined women who had qualified from various Hofbra bars across the country.
With cheers from beer-loving fans, contenders aimed for national titles and the chance to win a four-day, three-night trip to Munich. It was certainly no small feat.
As the host humorously proclaimed before the event, “This subculture exists, and it’s something else. If you haven’t seen it, brace yourself—you’re about to experience true greatness.”
Tough Competition – and the Real Show of Strength
Stein Holding is a Bavarian tradition that tends to attract those who really want to test their limits. It’s about holding a beer stein longer and farther than nature likely intended. According to the Stein Holdings Association, most of these competitions are brewing up in the U.S., with the Hofbräu USA League organizing various showdowns.
This year marks a notable first: a national championship with a $4,000 prize. Unlike the Masskrugmen Finals, champions in this new league can return to defend their title, adding more excitement.
Kim Planert, a seasoned contestant and four-time Masskrugmen participant, noted, “The prize money is increasing, and the competition is getting tougher.” For instance, when he first entered the competition back in 2011, the record was about 12 minutes. Now? It’s over 20 minutes.
Jim Banko, the Commissioner and Founder of the USSA, explained that they had to expand the field because it seems deceptively simple. “Yes, it looks easy, but it’s definitely not,” he added.
Indeed, successful Stein Holding is more of a full-body affair. Jen Widerstrom, who didn’t compete but has experience in this area, said, “People tend to think it’s just about grip strength, but it’s much more.” She learned that it requires coordination from shoulders, core, glutes, and even legs to keep the arms steady.
After winning a local challenge in LA, she recalled, “I just squeezed my glutes, really engaged my legs, and it worked for me.” It’s also a lively event, filled with joy—think ladies in Lederhosen, spontaneous Bavarian songs, and, of course, beer flowing abundantly. But let’s be real: it hurts.
Shape, size, and age don’t necessarily predict who will take home the win. Chelsea Wyckoff, 25, a participant from Peoria, Illinois, expressed, “I think everyone has it in them to reach that level.” Even her mother chimed in about Wyckoff’s journey with autism, showcasing her resilience and success in this context.
The Road to Central Park
Many masters of Stein Holding have similar stories. They often stumble upon an upcoming contest at a bar, festival, or even a cruise and think, why not? They dive into the challenge and get hooked.
Sidney Mauch, a 31-year-old competitor from Texas, noted, “It’s fun at first, but once people see your potential, you think, ‘Okay, now I have to take this seriously.'” Henry Thomason from Texas dedicated a solid 40 weeks training for this very event, winning all the Texas qualifiers after previously placing second and third in various local competitions. “Nobody else was crazy enough to do all that,” he joked.
The reality of competing in Central Park, however, can’t be practiced for—there are unpredictable elements like heat, rain, and the inevitable distractions of cameras. Participants face nerves, fatigue, and maybe even hangovers from the previous night’s welcome party; after all, they are in New York. And then there’s the judging, which can be subjective; it’s not unusual for participants to question whether the rules are applied evenly.
Go for Gold
Behind the scenes, Planert made sure to finish his beer, explaining, “If it’s too high up, your arm starts shaking and spills the drink.” Meanwhile, Mauch relied on deep breathing before stepping onto the stage. “If you can get oxygen in your muscles beforehand, it can really help,” she mentioned.
When it was time for the competition to begin, the crowd buzzed with excitement, cheering, “Cut that beer! Hold that beer!” Contestants took their positions, trying their hardest to maintain their focus and balance. Some ultimately spilled or lost their standing due to a backward lean or elbow bend, while those who were disqualified sipped their consolation drinks, cheering on their teammates.
Sydnie Mauch emerged as the women’s champion, holding out for 5 minutes and 20 seconds. As a volleyball coach and entrepreneur, this victory was not just a win; it was a lifelong dream realized. “I always seemed to be so close, but never made it,” she reflected.
Bob Sharack from New Jersey claimed victory among the men with a record time of 24 minutes and 14 seconds, marking his debut at the national level. His wife, also a competitor, couldn’t help but cheer, “I knew he’d win!”
Meanwhile, Peterson, who tapped out early, mulled over her experience. “Everyone said, ‘You’re going to get addicted to this,'” she recalled with a hint of amusement, perhaps still sensing the thrill of it all.
