Saturday, September 26 | 2 PM + 7 PM
Women’s + Men’s Divisions
Alley Brews | 4342 Tennyson St, Denver
Hold a stein. Win here. Go to State.
Our Oktoberfest just became a competitive sport.
Alley Brews is an official U.S. Steinholding Association Colorado qualifying venue, and on Saturday, September 26, we’re hosting steinholding competitions at 2 PM and 7 PM during Alley Brews Oktoberfest.
Both competition times include women’s and men’s divisions.
And this isn't just for Oktoberfest bragging rights.
Alley Brews will send one women’s champion and one men’s champion to represent us at the 2026 Colorado Steinholding State Championship Finals at Prost Brewing Company in Northglenn on October 17.
Your judge knows the pain personally.
Alley Brews co-owner Liz Hess won our steinholding competition last year and qualified for the Colorado State competition. This year, she’s on the other side of the stein making sure everyone follows official U.S. Steinholding Association rules.
What is steinholding?
Steinholding is a strength and endurance competition where competitors hold a filled one-liter beer stein straight out in front of their body for as long as possible while maintaining proper form.
Last person holding with legal form wins.
Which sounds remarkably simple until you try it.
Official U.S. Steinholding Association competition rules will be used at Alley Brews.
When are the steinholding competitions?
We’ll have two competition times during Alley Brews Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 26:
2 PM
Women’s + Men’s divisions
7 PM
Women’s + Men’s divisions
Come earlier in the day, come back for round two or plant yourself in the alley for Oktoberfest and watch both.
Is this an official Colorado Steinholding qualifier?
Yes. Alley Brews is an official U.S. Steinholding Association qualifying venue for the 2026 Colorado Steinholding State Championship.
Alley Brews is one of the Colorado breweries and festivals hosting qualifying competitions around the state this Oktoberfest season.
What do the Alley Brews winners qualify for?
One women’s champion and one men’s champion from Alley Brews will qualify to compete in the Colorado Steinholding State Championship Finals.
The 2026 Colorado finals take place October 17 at Prost Brewing Company’s Northglenn biergarten.
From there, the Colorado women’s and men’s State Champions can advance to the U.S. Steinholding Association National Championship.
So yes, holding a stein in an alley in Denver can technically lead somewhere.
Do women compete in steinholding?
Absolutely. Official U.S. Steinholding Association competitions have separate women’s and men’s divisions.
We’ll have both divisions at Alley Brews.
Last year, Alley Brews co-owner Liz Hess won our women’s competition and qualified for the Colorado State Championship. She’ll serve as judge for this year’s competition.
What are the official steinholding rules?
The basic idea is simple: hold the filled stein straight out in front of you with one arm and keep it there.
The official rules get considerably more specific.
Competitors must maintain proper form throughout the competition. Rule violations can result in strikes, and spilling from the stein results in elimination.
If you’re planning to compete instead of relying entirely on optimism and shoulder strength, we recommend reviewing the official U.S. Steinholding Association rules before Sept. 26.
READ THE OFFICIAL STEINHOLDING RULES
Where is the Denver steinholding competition?
The competition takes place during Alley Brews Oktoberfest in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood near Tennyson Street.
Alley Brews
4342 Tennyson St
Denver, CO 80212
We’re hidden behind Ohana Yoga. Head down the alley off 44th and you’ll find us.
Stay for Oktoberfest with Alley Brews beer, coffee, craft cocktails, food and non-alcoholic options throughout the day.
Your all-day neighborhood hangout — find us in the alley.