Beermat
Encyclopedia
A coaster, drink coaster, beverage coaster, or beermat, is used to rest beverages upon. The main purpose is to protect the surface of a table or any other surface where the user might place their beverage.
Public house
s usually will have them spread out across the tables. They are used not just to protect the surface of the table, but, as they are usually made of paper
, they can also be used to absorb condensation dripping along the glass or serve as an ad-hoc notepad. Beermats are often branded with alcohol advertising
. Beermats are not to be confused with bar mats, rectangular pieces of rubber or absorbent material used to protect the counter top and soak up spilled drinks in a bar or pub.
introduced them to the United Kingdom in 1920 to advertise their pale ale. The packaging company Quarmby Promotions, established in 1872, began manufacturing beermats in Milnsbridge
in 1931. After it was taken over by the Katz Group, it moved production to Brighouse
and in 2006 to Morley, West Yorkshire
, before closing its production in 2009.
In 1978, American Coaster Company introduced the United States to the beverage coaster. In 2007, American Coaster Company acquired its competitor, AD-Mat International Coasters USA, Inc. creating the short lived, American Coaster Ad-Mat, Inc. In 2007, The KATZ Group purchased the assets of American Coaster.
In 2009, The KATZ Group was purchased by the Koehler Paper Group, the premier paper producer for carbonless and thermal paper needs, also located in Germany.
Saucer
s were also long used in Europe for much the same purpose. When drinking tea, it was customary to use a cup and saucer set. By the mid-twentieth century, beverage coasters made in many materials and styles were being manufactured for domestic use. Today they are common as a houseware and in restaurants.
, but may also be made from several layers of tissue paper
. Important parameters for beer mats are water absorbency, wet rub and printability.
The Katz Group, based in Weisenbach
, Germany, produces 75% of the estimated 5.5 billion beermats in the world, including about two-thirds of the European market and 97% of the US market. In addition to the factory in Weisenbach, the company has another factory in Großschirma
, Germany and two conversion factories in the U.S., one in Sanborn, NY and the other in Johnson City, TN.
of beer, although they can also be used to promote a drinking establishment, sports franchise, businesses or special events. Recently, they have also been used to advertise political messages and parties, such as the UKIP
beermats during the 2004 European Elections. Although they appear to be a disposable item, they are in fact quite durable and reusable.
term defined as the practice of collecting beermats or coasters, with practitioners known as tegestologists.
Public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s usually will have them spread out across the tables. They are used not just to protect the surface of the table, but, as they are usually made of paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
, they can also be used to absorb condensation dripping along the glass or serve as an ad-hoc notepad. Beermats are often branded with alcohol advertising
Alcohol advertising
Alcohol advertising is the promotion of alcoholic beverages by alcohol producers through a variety of media. Along with tobacco advertising, it is one of the most highly-regulated forms of marketing...
. Beermats are not to be confused with bar mats, rectangular pieces of rubber or absorbent material used to protect the counter top and soak up spilled drinks in a bar or pub.
History
In 1880, the first beermats made of cardboard were introduced by the German printing company, Friedrich Horn. In 1892, Robert Sputh of Dresden manufactured the first beermat made of wood pulp. Watney breweryWatney Combe & Reid
Watney Combe & Reid was a leading brewing business in London. At its peak in the 1930s it was a constituent of the FT30 index of leading companies on the London Stock Exchange. It produced the beer brand Watney's Red Barrel.-The Stag Brewery:...
introduced them to the United Kingdom in 1920 to advertise their pale ale. The packaging company Quarmby Promotions, established in 1872, began manufacturing beermats in Milnsbridge
Milnsbridge
Milnsbridge is a district of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England 2.5 miles west of the town centre, situated in the Colne Valley. The name is said to have derived from the water-powered mill and the bridge that stood alongside it in the 13th century.The Huddersfield Narrow Canal runs...
in 1931. After it was taken over by the Katz Group, it moved production to Brighouse
Brighouse
Brighouse is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the River Calder, east of Halifax in the Pennines. It is served by Junction 25 of the M62 motorway and Brighouse railway station on the Caldervale Line and Huddersfield Line. In the...
and in 2006 to Morley, West Yorkshire
Morley, West Yorkshire
Morley is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It lies approximately south-west of Leeds city centre. Together with Drighlington, Gildersome, Churwell, Tingley and East/West Ardsley, the town had a population of 47,579 in...
, before closing its production in 2009.
In 1978, American Coaster Company introduced the United States to the beverage coaster. In 2007, American Coaster Company acquired its competitor, AD-Mat International Coasters USA, Inc. creating the short lived, American Coaster Ad-Mat, Inc. In 2007, The KATZ Group purchased the assets of American Coaster.
In 2009, The KATZ Group was purchased by the Koehler Paper Group, the premier paper producer for carbonless and thermal paper needs, also located in Germany.
Saucer
Saucer
A saucer is a small type of dishware, a plate that is specifically used with and for supporting a cup – a cylindrical cup intended for coffee or a half-sphere teacup for tea. Additionally, the saucer is a distant cousin to the plate. The saucer has a raised centre with a depression sized to fit a...
s were also long used in Europe for much the same purpose. When drinking tea, it was customary to use a cup and saucer set. By the mid-twentieth century, beverage coasters made in many materials and styles were being manufactured for domestic use. Today they are common as a houseware and in restaurants.
Manufacture
Coasters are often made from high grammage paperboardPaperboard
Paperboard is a thick paper based material. While there is no rigid differentiation between paper and paperboard, paperboard is generally thicker than paper. According to ISO standards, paperboard is a paper with a basis weight above 224 g/m2, but there are exceptions. Paperboard can be single...
, but may also be made from several layers of tissue paper
Tissue paper
Tissue paper is a lightweight paper or, light crêpe paper. Tissue can be made both from virgin and recycled paper pulp.-Properties:Key properties are: strength, absorbency, basis weight, thickness , brightness, stretch, appearance and comfort....
. Important parameters for beer mats are water absorbency, wet rub and printability.
The Katz Group, based in Weisenbach
Weisenbach
Weisenbach is a municipality in the district of Rastatt in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
, Germany, produces 75% of the estimated 5.5 billion beermats in the world, including about two-thirds of the European market and 97% of the US market. In addition to the factory in Weisenbach, the company has another factory in Großschirma
Großschirma
Großschirma is a town in the district of Mittelsachsen, in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is situated 7 km northwest of Freiberg.- References :...
, Germany and two conversion factories in the U.S., one in Sanborn, NY and the other in Johnson City, TN.
Coaster imprints
Beermats are usually adorned with a customized image—usually advertising a brandBrand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
of beer, although they can also be used to promote a drinking establishment, sports franchise, businesses or special events. Recently, they have also been used to advertise political messages and parties, such as the UKIP
United Kingdom Independence Party
The United Kingdom Independence Party is a eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. Whilst its primary goal is the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the party has expanded beyond its single-issue image to develop a more comprehensive party platform.UKIP...
beermats during the 2004 European Elections. Although they appear to be a disposable item, they are in fact quite durable and reusable.
Tegestology
Some coasters are collectible items. Tegestology is a LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
term defined as the practice of collecting beermats or coasters, with practitioners known as tegestologists.