This hobby is less well known than some of the other collecting hobbies, but it does have a surprisingly divers range of collectables. Beer coaster collecting, also called tegestology, has a strong following, and is quite a popular collecting hobby all around the world.
The beer coaster as we know it today, was patented in 1892 in Germany, to deal with the foam that often spilled over the glass when pouring a beer. These paper-pulp coasters were first designed to be thrown away, like stamps, tickets and most other collectables…
After they were invented, beer coasters became a great advertising method for breweries and thousands of variations soon appeared. It’s extremely hard to imagine how many different coasters there have been since, and this makes it a great item for collectors.
Beer coaster collecting is an extremely easy hobby to get into, but finding and buying the rarer models isn’t as easy as it looks. This hobby greatly depends on the category you are looking to collect.
Some people may only collect coasters from a particular region, brewery or country, while other may collect them for the pictures they have on them. It all depends what suits your fancy!
A great resource to check out is Beer Coaster Mania! They have an overview of all things beer-coasters and have a wonderful site for anyone looking to get into the hobby.
Nothing is mandatory when it comes to beer coaster collecting as it’s all a matter of preference. However, a beautiful beer coaster collecting album <link) can make the hobby even more rewarding!
When storing your beer coasters make sure you store them in a cool and dry place, as this will ensure they stay in their best condition.
As you can see, beer coaster collecting is a great hobby to get into as a collector. Once your collection grows it's extremely rewarding to browse through your albums and to watch your collecting grow!
Photo: Flickr