Official Rules & Regulations: TCB Stein Holding Contest
1. Competition Schedule
Qualifiers: October 1st & October 2nd at 8:00 PM
Championship Round: October 3rd at 8:00 PM
Arrival Time: All contestants must be checked in, have purchased their entry, and be present in the TCB Taproom by 7:45 PM.
2. Eligibility & Registration
Age Requirement: Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Valid ID required at check-in.
Entry Requirement: Entry is granted with the purchase of 1x 1L Sidewinder for the competition.
Capacity Limit: Each qualifying night is capped at 10–12 participants to ensure fair and accurate judging. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol is NOT required to participate.
3. How It Works
Contestants will line up side-by-side in designated spots marked by staff.
Each participant will receive an identical official competition stein filled to a standard level by a TCB team member.
Upon the staff’s countdown and “GO,” the official timers begin.
Contestants must hold the stein for as long as possible while adhering strictly to the form rules.
Official timing stops immediately when a judge calls an elimination or when a contestant voluntarily lowers their stein.
Upon elimination, contestants must set down their stein and exit the competition floor immediately to allow judges a clear view of the remaining competitors.
4. Holding & Form Rules
Grip & Arm Extension:
The stein must be held by the handle only using one hand. You may not switch hands at any point.
The holding arm must remain fully extended straight out in front of the contestant, approximately parallel to the floor (shoulder level).
No bending at the elbow.
No counterweights or artificial supports are permitted.
Body Mechanics & Support:
The off-hand/arm cannot be used to support the holding arm, hand, or stein.
Neither the stein nor the holding arm may rest against the contestant's body.
Contestants may not lean on tables, walls, railings, or other participants.
Position & Conduct:
Contestants must remain within their designated spot for the duration of the hold.
No drinking from the stein while the timed hold is active.
Contestants must not touch, obstruct, or interfere with another participant.
Warnings: Contestants are allowed one positioning warning for minor form slips (e.g., dipping below shoulder height). A second positioning violation results in immediate elimination.
5. Elimination Criteria
A contestant is immediately eliminated if any of the following occur:
Spills: Beer visibly leaves the stein or drips down the outside of the glass (as observed directly by a judge). Note: Foam moving or reaching the rim is permitted, provided liquid does not spill over.
Form Violations: The elbow bends, the arm drops significantly after a warning, or a second positioning warning is issued.
Resting/Support: The contestant uses their free hand, body, or surrounding objects to support the hold.
Hand Switching: The contestant switches hands or adjusts their grip off the handle.
Voluntary Forfeit: The contestant intentionally lowers or sets down the stein.
Interference or Misconduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct or interfering with other competitors.
Judges' Decisions: All decisions made by TCB judges are final and binding.
6. Championship Qualification & Advancement
Advancement: The top two (2) valid times from each qualifying night (October 1st and October 2nd) will advance, resulting in a 6-person final on October 3rd. Qualifying nights are judged independently; times are not pooled across nights.
Absences / Forfeits: If a top-two finisher cannot attend the Championship Round on October 3rd, their spot will be offered to the next-highest finisher from that same qualifying night.
Tie-Breaker Procedure: In the event of an exact tie that affects qualification or prize placement, tied contestants will undergo a head-to-head tie-breaker hold using their off-hand (the hand NOT used during the main competition).
7. Competition Prizes Qualifying Rounds (Oct 1st & Oct 2nd)
1st Place: Official TCB Stein + 12-pack Sidewinder Vienna Lager cans + $100 TCB Gift Card + Automatic Advancement to Grand Championship
2nd Place: Official TCB Stein + 8-pack Sidewinder Vienna Lager cans + $50 TCB Gift Card + Automatic Advancement to Grand Championship
3rd Place: Official TCB Stein + Automatic Advancement to Grand Championship
Grand Championship (Oct 3rd)1st Place: Free Pizza for a Year courtesy of TCB! (See fulfillment terms below)
2nd Place: 12-pack Sidewinder Vienna Lager cans + $75 TCB Gift Card
"Free Pizza for a Year" Prize Terms: The Grand Champion winner will receive one (1) free pizza per calendar month from the TCB Taproom for a total duration of 12 consecutive months. Pizzas are non-transferable, carry no cash value, and unused monthly allocations do not roll over to subsequent months.