The endless prost

Kevin Collom found what might be considered an unusual talent six years ago while holding a full stein of beer straight in front of him at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish.

He won that competition and a dozen more since. Collom, 52, excels in steinholding, what he calls “an old guy’s sport.”

Competitors hold a one liter stein of beer straight ahead, arm level at shoulder height and thumb wrapped around the stein handle, not on top. The other hand must be relaxed at the side, not in the pocket, and the back must be straight and not compensating for the six pounds of liquid in the stein. The competitor to hold the stein the longest wins. At one point, during a Samuel Adams sponsored contest, Collom was ranked ninth in the United States.

Collom didn’t plan on entering last year’s competition during Whitefish’s Oktoberfest due to elk hunting plans, but friend and Whitefish Chamber of Commerce executive director Kevin Gartland convinced him at the last minute. Upon winning the competition, Collom qualified for another contest in Las Vegas, which he also won. Travel expenses were covered by the Whitefish Chamber.

Now he’s going to New York City to compete Sept. 17 for a chance to win a non-competitive trip to Munich, Germany. While winning doesn’t usually come with prizes, he said he’s happy to be able to travel as a reward.

Collom said steinholding comes naturally to him. He’s been “training” for more than 30 years as a professional plasterer for his company Panelcrete Construction, which also involves weight held at the end of an outstretched arm for long periods of time.

His longest time holding a stein is just under 12 minutes, but there’s usually not a reason to go longer during last-man-standing competitions. All he has to do, he said, is hold out for a few more seconds than the other guy.

According to the U.S. Steinholding Association, steinholding is a traditional Bavarian strength contest. A typical male competitor will hold a stein somewhere in the three to five minute range, with women lasting one to two minutes. The national record is currently 17 minutes, 11 seconds set in 2015 by Jim Banko at the National Masskrugstemmen Championships at the Steuben Day Parade and New York City Oktoberfest, according to the association.

Though it seems like Collom’s mind would be racing and anxious during competitions, he said in reality, he doesn’t think about anything. His eyes fix on a point on the wall across the room, he hums his favorite song, “New Orleans is Sinking” by Tragically Hip and the time just passes by.

“You go into a little trance. It just goes by so fast,” he said.

Steinholding has a more personal connotation for him too. His daughter, Chelsea, won several steinholding competitions, following her father’s lead. After she passed away in February, her favorite beer stein was the one thing Collom kept to remember her by.

Collom leaves for New York the day before the competition. When he arrives he’ll take part in a meet and greet event, and the next morning he and the other 19 competitors will ride along in a float for an Oktoberfest parade downtown. The competition is at 4 p.m., and if he wins he’ll stick around for interviews in the evening.

It’s an unexpected talent, and Collom said he’s always surprised with the opportunities steinholding has opened up to him.

“I’m not saving the world,” he laughs, “but I’m having fun.”