1987 BHS Reunion Bier Jahreskrug-Bitburg,Germany

This is a stoneware clay beer stein that was given to each attendee of the 1987 Bitburg High School Reunion in Bitburg, Germany. The reunion was hosted by Bitburg's pride and joy... Bitburger Brauerei (brewery).
Bitburger Brauerei has been the most famous beir (beer) brewhouse in the German town of Bitburg since 1817.
BHS was part of the United States Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) for USAF employees stationed at Bitburg Air Base (1952-1994) and nearby Spangdahlem Air Base (1952-Present).
The two NATO bases were and still are home to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing (BAB) and the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing (SAB)
Military personnel and their dependents lived in "on base" housing complexes or in "off base" facilities in close proximity to the bases.
By 1955, the number of Americans stationed at the bases matched the population of the Germans in the city of Bitburg.
So the following year in 1956 the US DoD built an American school system with a middle and high school.
When the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decided to close BAB, everything was rolled over into Spangdahlem but the Bitburg school system remained and even merged the high school with the middle school in 2013. Eventually, DoDDS made upgrades for US serviceman stationed in Germany and Bitburg High-Middle School closed in 2017.
Bitburg High Schools colors were Blue and White and their mascot was The Barons (Knights).
The school displayed both the City of Bitburg's Flag and the American Flag. The US Flag was always mounted in reverse to signify that "Stars Lead The Way Forward". A play on symbolism between educated the best and the brightest.
Now, about the actually stoneware stein. It was made by a subcontract potter and infamous stein maker Franz Stober for Rastal Glass Company.
Rastal of Hohr-Grenzhausen (est. 1919) was primarily a glassware and bottle manufacturer but is also located in the rich clay deposit Westerwald Region of Germany and has roots in stoneware.
For commemorative events and limited editions, Rastal would contract Frank Stober to design and make them. Stober is renown in Germany for making the Oktober Bierfest Jahreskrug from 1978-1984 and the limited edition stein for US President Ronald Reagans visit to Bitburg in May of 1985.
The Bitburg High School Alumni Association ordered these steins from Rastal to give out to alumni to drink Bitburger Beer and catch up with old friends at the BHS Reunion on July 4, 1987.
This RARE beer stein is in excellent condition and is has Stober's quality and attention to detail.
Weighs a sturdy 2 pounds and 10 ounces
Stands 7.75 and holds a liter of beer
4.25" X 4.25" Base
Made with Ton Clay from Hohr-Grenzhausen (baked and glazed)

Do you know Germany's drinking laws?
It is a tiered drinking age system:

14 years old (minor)-can consume beer and wine in public while accompanied by a parent or legal guardian but cannot buy alcohol or consume spirits (hard liquor) at all.
16 years old (minor)- can buy and consume beer and wine freely anywhere but cannot buy or consume spirits (hard liquor) at all.
18 years old (adult)- can buy and consume all alcoholic beverages...go nuts!

MemoryLaneVintiques sanitizes all glassware, glazed pottery, jewelry and resin cast items before packing for shipment....100% Guaranteed!
STANDS IN PHOTOS NOT INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE OF THIS ITEM!

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