Tankards

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
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This is a tankard given to me by my grandmother after my uncle died. Her son was an XO in the nuclear submarine fleet.

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Did you know that the reason for the clear bottom on tankards? In the 1800's, in England, the recruiting practice was to go to the pub and drop a schilling into a mans tankard of ale while he was not looking. If the man drank the tankard, then it was considered that the recruiter had just bought the mans drink, and that by drinking it the man had unknowingly given his consent to join the navy as an indentured sailor. If the man tried to resist, he was clubbed and carried on board the ship, not to wake up till out to sea beyond the horizon of land. Hence, the clear bottom on tankards. A man could lift the tankard and see if it had a coin in the bottom.
 
Unless he was drinking Guinness in which case the clear bottom is useless.
 
That's really weird. I was just watching "The Wicker Man" (gawdawful movie, I can't recommend watching it unless it's the Rifftrax version), and Nick Cage was drinking mead out of a tankard with a glass bottom, and wondered why it was like that.

I drink my beer out of a Tiffany crystal mug my mom got me for Christmas. I've got "BelGO" in it right now, a Belgian style IPA from New Belgium brewery (Fat Tire). Very tasty.
 
they were popular in the 70s as recognition awards, primarily to enlisted troops.... some USAF units used them as "outstanding airman of the quarter" awards
 
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