Pewter tankards are uniquely designed drinking cups specifically for drinking beer. Pewter is the metal the drinking cup is made from, while the word tankard just means a large, deep cylindrical cup with one handle.
Lots of people collect these tankards as they can be something of a novelty, and pewter is considered to be the most suitable material for these tankards as tin is its main component and tin combined with other metals is a very durable material.
The history of the pewter tankard
Pewter tankards have been used for drinking beer for a very long time and were extremely popular until glass became more commonly and widely used thanks to new technology for crafting with glass. Tankards can be made from many different materials, but pewter is the most popular and the one that comes to mind when you think about a tankard.
Back in Roman times, pewter tankards were popular tableware and the Romans sought after tin so much that they invaded Britain in the first century AD.
Even so, pewter was dubbed the ‘poor man’s silver’ and there are tales of merchants across history selling pewter itself and passing it off as real silver.
There is some confusion over whether you can drink from a pewter tankard. This article will explain why you can still buy and drink from pewter tankards.
What is a pewter tankard made of?
While pewter tankards are predominantly made from tin, tin on its own isn’t a strong enough material for a tankard. Instead, pewter is a mixed alloy containing tin and small amounts of other metals, which makes it strong and long lasting. The common misconception is that pewter tankards contain lead, but this is not the case for modern tankards.
Is a pewter tankard safe to buy and use?
Modern pewter tankards are safe to buy, use, and drink out of because they don’t contain lead. There is no regulation preventing these items from being used to drink, meaning you can consider pewter tankards safe. Much older pewter tankards that may have contained a larger amount of lead may have been somewhat unsafe to drink from.
The metals contained within pewter include tin, copper and antimony. These metals themselves are not harmful when drinking from, and it is unlikely that the tankards would wear down enough for any metal to be consumed.
How can you tell if you have a modern pewter tankard?
Pewter tankards that do contain lead will have a greyish colour on their surface and tend to fade more over time. You can also check the time stamp on the base of a pewter item to check when it was created. If it was created within the past 300 years or so, it will most likely be lead-free.
How do you look after a pewter tankard?
Even though modern pewter tankards are safe to drink from, it is still important to look after them to maintain their durability and overall design. Unfortunately, pewter tankards cannot go in the dishwasher but can easily be hand washed with mild dish soap. This should keep your tankard shiny and clean.
For pewter tankards that you would like to display as well as use, you can also keep them on top of their shiny pristine surface. Some tankards can be polished with a flour, salt and vinegar paste, whereas tankards with a more antique finish tend to require less deep cleaning and will shine after a simple hand wash.
Why should you buy a pewter tankard?
Although they have a very traditional feel to them, pewter tankards are still a novelty today and provide a more enjoyable way to drink for some people. They are also still used in certain pubs around the world for that added beer drinking authenticity, as well as being collected and displayed by many beer lovers.
Pewter tankards are also considered to be elegant and have a shiny finish almost as good as silver itself. They don’t stain as easily as real silver, which is another added benefit
Other things to note
While pewter tankards are durable, it is best to stick to beer or drinks that are not too highly acidic as this can affect the metal and stain it over time. This also means you shouldn’t leave alcoholic drinks in your tankard for more than 24 hours.
It is also recommended that you only drink cold beverages out of these tankards and store them somewhere cool, due to the fact that pewter can melt at a lower temperature than other metallic items you might have in your home.
Modern pewter tankards are very durable, perfect to drink beers out of and easy to clean afterwards. As long as you keep on top of the cleaning, they will last a lifetime.
