German Beer Coasters, known as Bierdeckel® Beer Cover or Lid, have a traditional history dating back to the 1800s. Back then, drinking beer outdoors posed the risk of unwanted objects falling into your drink. Wealthy individuals used Steinkrugs with pewter lids to prevent this. To take a sip, one would lift the pewter lid with their thumb and close it back to safeguard their beverage from bugs and debris.

Ceramic coasters were initially used, but due to their weight and fragility, they were replaced with round pieces of felt known as Bierdeckel® or lids. The thick felt material provided protection for drinks and was absorbent for wiping up spills. The coasters could be washed and air dried for reuse, but tavern owners often neglected to clean or fully dry them, leading to unhygienic conditions when they became molded and soggy on top of drinks.

In 1892, Robert Spruth, an inventor from Dresden, created a machine that produced the first cardboard Bierdeckel® by pressing wood pulp into molds, squeezing out water, and drying the pieces. They were not very resistant to moisture and were quite thick. In 1903, Casimir Otto Katz from Murgtal modified the idea by making Bierdeckel® out of sheets of wood pulp from Spruce Fibers. The disks were punched out of sheets, making the process more efficient, stronger, and longer-lasting.

Bierdeckel USA and our reusable Bierdeckel® draw inspiration from traditional beer barrels, reminiscent of those used during Oktoberfest celebrations. This versatile Bierdeckel® can accommodate various drink sizes, from pints to 0.5 L Oktoberfest mugs, and even Das Boot, a popular item sold in many establishments.