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Best Drinking Horn Reviews 2023

In the days of yore, when heavily-armed warriors roamed about and more complex societies were just beginning to take shape, one thing started becoming more and more clear as time passed by – that certain domestic animals had horns and could scarcely use them once they were dead and gone! That's right, and what better way to make use of these curiously-shaped bones than to render them hollow and start drinking ale out of 'em. If you'd like to make connections to your ancestors' heritage, and also obtain a stylish artifact that previously belonged to some cattle, get a drinking horn! Check out our top 5 list of the best models to find the best one for you!
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Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Material
Color(s)
Capacity
Size
Extras
Our Top Choice
Valhalla Drinkware Wine/Mead Drinking Horn
Valhalla Drinkware Wine/Mead Drinking Horn
Boasting an appearance of a medieval piece of kitchenware, this drinking horn looks as though it was freshly nicked out of the palace of the Mountain King himself!
This horn comes from a well-established Nordic-themed company. It's made from high-quality materials and features a leather waist holder. Each of the models is handcrafted and unique.
Its use is pretty much limited to wine and mead, which is appropriate for a drinking horn, in all fairness.
Horn
Natural – black and cream white
120 milliliters
6 x 3 x 3 inches; 3.2 ounces
A leather holder
Best Value
Armory Replicas 3 of a Kind Drinking Horn
Armory Replicas 3 of a Kind Drinking Horn
If you like a good ole drinking horn reminiscent of the good ole medieval times (after that plague stuff, of course), how about three of them? These horns from Armory Replicas are some of the best around.
The entire horn is completely handmade using only natural materials. The imperfections on the inner side are mended by beeswax. The horn itself is from a buffalo.
Can't be used for hot liquids.
Buffalo horn
Natural – earth-themed (brownish)
Approximately 90 milliliters
6 inches in length
Comes in a set of three
Viva La Vivia Drinking Horn Set
Viva La Vivia Drinking Horn Set
Featuring a sturdy build, toughened by experienced craftsmanship, this set of six can be a perfect way for a sizeable family to unleash their inner Vikings at the dinner table!
These horns feature a sturdy build, made of natural materials. They are also versatile and can be used for beer or wine.
They are meant for wine and beer only. Or a mix of them.
Buffalo Horn
Natural – black and cream white
Not specified
10.2 x 9.1 x 9.1 inches; 3.1 pounds
Comes with a metal stand
Alehorn Natural Drinking Horn
Alehorn Natural Drinking Horn
Featuring an interestingly-designed build that reminds one of a well-shaped stone, this drinking horn is one of the best selling pieces of medieval-looking cutlery currently on the market!
The texture has just been polished so that the natural appearance of the horn can be seen in its full glory. It includes a convenient display stand and the rim was reinforced with a brass coating.
There is a bit of a 'bony' smell when you first start using it. As the time goes by, however, it will wear off.
Horn
Natural – bone color
475 milliliters
9.5 x 9.4 x 4.1 inches; 1.3 pounds
Features a brass rim
MyGANN Black Buffalo Drinking Horn
MyGANN Black Buffalo Drinking Horn
Heavily-brimmed and with a fine natural-looking hue, this drinking horn from MyGann can take you back to the golden days of horned helmets, battle axes, and pillaging Denmark and Northern Germany!
It has quite a wide rim and a sizeable drinking volume. For those who hate doing the dishes, good news, it's completely dishwasher safe. It has the archaic appearance of an object from ten centuries ago.
It does not come with a stand.
Buffalo horn
Natural – black and bone
350 milliliters
9 inches in length
Features a metal rim

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What is the Best Drinking Horn?

Tired of consuming volumes of delicately-brewed ale out of kitchen utensils that all but undermine the grand worth of this illustrious beverage? Get a drinking horn, and drink your beer the way the ancient Vikings and Slavs did! If you're not sure what kind of horn to obtain, check out the top 5 list we've prepared for ye, and learn more! Bottoms up, lads and lasses!
Our Top Choice
Valhalla Drinkware Wine/Mead Drinking Horn
Coming from a relatively new company (ironically enough) called Valhalla Drinkware, this drinking horn is as Nordic as Odin, Thor, and IKEA! For roughly double the price, you can treat yourself to an Authentic Medieval Inspired Mug! Tough Viking stuff right there.

Valhalla Drinkware 4-5oz Medieval Viking Cup w/ Brown Leather Holder - Authentic Medieval Inspired Mug


Features
When you have a company that's called 'Valhalla Drinkware', you can be sure there's only one thing that these folks are making - Viking-themed drinking horns of battling excellence and possibly medieval stylishness! Also, they have regular mugs that say 'Valhalla' on them. If you're intrigued by the intricacies of the inner works of this cheeky Nordic-themed company, feel free to check their website and learn more.

As for the wine-holdin', power-commandin' drinking horn we've decided to feature on this list, it comes fully-equipped with a leather holster you can wear to the side. It is our recommendation not to wear it on the same side as your sword is, but to the opposite. It may look a bit awkward if you decide to position this curiously and no less aggressively-shaped Viking drinking utensil in the middle of your belt, so it's either left or right.

One of the most notable things about this exquisite piece of medieval craftsmanship is that each and every model is completely handmade, polished thoroughly and sealed with beeswax to prevent leaks. So, every part of the process is completed in the same way the original artisans used to do it centuries ago!

The list of features for the Valhalla drinking horn:
  • Medium-sized
  • Best suited for drinking wine and mead
  • 100% handcrafted and unique
  • Sealed with organic beeswax
  • Hand-wash before and after use
All in all, a tough-looking piece of medieval kitchenware that you can use to not only drink wine, but possibly also to pin down an unstable tent, or stuff with presents on Christmas instead of a stocking to create a heavy-metal atmosphere in your home!
Need a hand-made Viking drinking utensil? For more Nordic-themed cups 'n' mugs, see some of their other products!
Best Value
Armory Replicas 3 of a Kind Drinking Horn
Tough and rugged, this set will increase your chances of getting initiated to a secret Viking-appreciating society! All you need is an axe to complete a look of a northern menace. For a brass-brimmed model featuring a metal stand, check out this Brass Adorned Viking Drinking Horn with Metal Stand!

Armory Replicas Earth Essence Three of a Kind Drinking Horn Set


Features
Sporting an attractive design that can beautifully complement your elaborate medieval apparel, (or if you haven't got any, a three days' beard will do or some tough leather boots for women), this drinking horn from the Armory Replicas company is a perfect way to treat yourself or somebody else! Having a nice little drink from one of these handy pieces of kitchenware surely beats most of the regular modern-day, non-medieval cups and mugs.

If you've been wondering, the material of choice for this high-end piece is tough buffalo horn. The stuff is hard enough to hit another buffalo repeatedly (if mounted on one of these magnificent animals) without breaking, and an average buffalo is as big as a mini-van, so you can imagine just how tough that is.

Since real buffalo horns are used to make these drinking utensils, each of the end products is unique, even though every piece in this series is decorated in roughly the same pattern. An interesting thing about horns in general is that they cannot be placed on a flat surface if they're not empty. This is not just a design flaw, but a purposeful thing, since leaving a drink unfinished was quite a bad sign in the past.

Here's a list of features for this Earth Essence Three of a Kind Combo:
  • 100% handmade from natural materials
  • Decorated with an Earth motif
  • The color and shape may vary slightly
  • Not meant for hot liquids
  • It may come with minor scratches due to polishing and natural imperfections
All things considered, this horn set from Armory Replicas is one of the most exciting kitchenware purchases you can possibly make. They're natural, feel medieval and can add a certain rugged feeling to your Viking-themed house party. A warm recommendation on our part!
If you like this handmade drinking horn from Armory Replicas then check out their other cool designs.
Viva La Vivia Drinking Horn Set
If you need to equip your squad or family with medieval-looking drinking utensils, the Viva drinking horns may do the trick just fine. For a single richly-decorated wine and beer drinking horn, see the La Vivia Pattern Print Beer Wine Drinking Glass. It's for the clan leader, this one!

Viva La Vivia Tankard Beer/Wine Drinking Glass - Set of 6 with Stand - Natural Buffalo Horn


Features
Coming from a small company specializing in tankards and drinking horns, this set of six can be a great gift option for an anniversary or maybe an official family slaughtering of an animal as offering to some of Nordic god. Whatever the occasion, this drinking utensil will add a certain air of mystique and tranquility to the atmosphere of the gathering, no matter how violent and passionate it gets!

As for their build, these drinking horns are made out of high-quality buffalo horns. Any other additional materials that were used are also strictly natural and organic. Typically, as a means of sealing these vessels for wine and beer, experienced artisans use high-quality beeswax, which is a naturally water-resistant alternative to plastic or other materials. The inclusion of the beeswax does, however, mean that you won't be able to pour hot liquids in it, because the supporting wax particles may melt.

These handy utensils are great for gatherings, medieval dress-ups, and casual evenings with only you, your Saxon axe, and a nice tankard made out of ox horn! If you like the idea of such an idyllic setting, waste no time and get yourself an axe, ehrm, we meant a drinking horn and drink away your problems! (Hopefully with the help of a couple of friends.)

Here's a list of features for this La Vivia Tankard:
  • Made from natural buffalo ox horn
  • Watertight thanks to the beeswax
  • Comes with an Iron Wired Stand
  • The set features six drinking horns

Whether it's for a traditional Viking family gathering or an expedition to conquer some southern lands, this handy set of tankards can be a great container for the precious liquids that quench your thirst! Make sure to find a person for each vessel, and then you're ready to do some conquering!
Need a set of tough Nordic drinking horns? Get a La Vivia set! Wow your friends, see your enemies run away in fear and awe!
Alehorn Natural Drinking Horn
If you want to drink your ale the way your ancestors did, out of a finely-designed drinking horn of battle loots and leisure, the AleHorn Natural Drinking Horn is the way to go. For smaller shots of alcohol, this AleHorn Shotglass may be a better weapon of choice!

Alehorn Handcrafted Natural Viking Drinking Horn with Stand – Available in 2 Sizes & 2 Colors


Features
Having started out as a small company with a team of people head over heels in love with both ale and the medieval period, AleHorn nowadays supplies a wide audience of eager helmet-wearing, sword-wielding men and women of leisure who like to have their ale the right way—out of a horn of a dead animal!

The goal they've set for themselves quite early on into their business undertaking is a simple one: 1) make drunk people even happier than they already are, and 2) connect them to their heritage rich in drinking utensils made out of horns!

The Natural Viking Drinking Horn with Stand is a curiously-built piece of kitchenware that will have onlookers wonder, “how on earth did you obtain one of these in this day and age?” It looks incredibly archaic but still possesses some great quality features that will put a smile on the faces of people appreciating the usage of organic materials in craftsmanship. This horn features no plastic parts, and no potentially dangerous coatings.

The list of features of the AleHorn Drinking Horn:
  • Featuring a natural bony-looking finish
  • Comes with a stand you can use to display it on your fireplace or elsewhere
  • Includes a brass rim for good measure
  • The entire surface of the vessel is polished
  • Well-protected against leaks

As far as functionality and the amount of liquid it houses, this horn is not really any different than all the other horns out there. However, if you're after a natural look of the actual horn, and would like some brass on top of that for sheer royalty or cheek, then this AleHorn model might be perfect for you! It also comes with a stand so you can show it to your amazed friends!
If Alehorn is looking like the brand for you, check out their other products such as horn shot glasses and tankards!
MyGANN Black Buffalo Drinking Horn
Sporting a rugged war-torn look typical of buffalo horns, this exquisite drinking utensil from MyGann will put a smile on the face of anyone who likes Renaissance fairs and old inns! If you want a three-piece set, make sure to try out the Game of Thrones Medieval Viking Drinking Cup!

MyGANN Dark Honey Smooth Water Buffalo Horn Drinking Cup


Features
Coming from a newly-founded company called MyGann, the Dark Honey Smooth Buffalo drinking horn represents a delicately made piece of medieval kitchenware that both you and your dog are going to love (though in radically different ways)! The folks behind the MyGann company have also been responsible for a number of other related products, such as seashells, jewelry, arrowheads, bells and much more.

The horn itself is quite sizeable and it can house up to 7 - 10 oz of water, wine, or any other liquid for that matter. The only important thing you should pay attention to is not to pour particularly hot water into it, as it may damage some of the more sensitive inner surfaces.

Another important thing that will make your life easier is the fact that it is completely dishwasher safe, so you can just insert it in it and wash it together with the other dishes. More often than not, drinking horns are very sensitive because of the beeswax many manufacturers use to fill in the tiny imperfections from the inside. This one, however, is completely safe to pitch into the dishwasher.

Here's a couple of features of this MyGann Drinking Horn:
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Can hold up to 10 oz of water
  • Made out of high-quality horn
  • Featuring a brimmed edge
All in all, an interesting solution for anyone appreciating some of the finer sides of the great Viking culture. The large size combined with an easy maintenance make it the best possible solution for a person who likes to drink out of historically relevant replicas, but hates doing dishes.
MyGANN has many other drinking horns to choose from, including some pretty cool colors, if this one isn't right for you.

How Do I Choose the Best Drinking Horn?

If ancient history and medieval times have taught us anything, it's that sewage is overrated and that, as a woman, you shouldn't at any circumstances own a black cat, unless you fancy being chased by a horde of religious figures in odd robes, and then consequently burned at a stake! Also, you can hollow out a horn of an unfortunate bull or a ram, and then use the new weirdly-shaped object as a drinking utensil. 'Historia est Magistra Vitae' indeed, and what better proof that some of these kooky objects of yore are sheer quality than the fact that people still happily use them today, and have no second thoughts about paying top dollar to acquire some of them!

In this section of our buying guide, we'll talk about a couple of aspects of the rugged-looking drinking contraption that is a horn. Unlike some of the modern pieces of beverageware such as those that are a part of a wine glass set, or the well-known champagne glasses or even the rather posh champagne flutes, drinking horns are made out of, you've guessed it-- PVC! Just kidding, it's horn. Now, this material surely sounds like a cool solution for a drinking utensil, but even though that's mostly true, it must be said that horn has a couple of limitations, so to speak. For example, you can't pour hot liquids in it, as they'll damage the sensitive interior surface. (This isn’t much of a problem though, as most people use drinking horns for beer or wine anyway.)

Other than that, some of the models may retain a certain 'bony' scent, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for all people, and it usually goes away after some time. Secondly, it’d be important to mention that the substance used to seal the horn or otherwise fix and smooth out any imperfections is usually the all-natural and widely-beloved beeswax! This material is almost obligatorily used with horns as it provides excellent water-tight properties and its particles don't mix with the beverage you're drinking. Also, complementing something as hardcore as a drinking horn with a bit of beeswax is a process that surely adds to the overall ruggedness of the entire experience!
Price
The great thing about drinking horns is that, unlike some other ancient-looking utensils made to invoke the spirit of times long gone, won't cost you an arm and a leg. Since they’re made of natural, easily-accessible materials, and their production doesn't cost much, you can get one of these authentic drinking utensils for the price of, well, a couple of burgers, really! The price range for the models we assembled for our top 5 list, for example, goes from 8 all the way to some 75 dollars. Of course, if you decide to go for one of the pricier offers, you can expect it to be a bundle, or that it comes with some sort of metal stand for extra convenience! All in all, whatever your budget, chances are you'll be able to find a model that suits your needs the best!
Features
Other than boasting a rather rugged appearance that evokes images of ancient ale-drinking folks of hard work but also cordial leisure, drinking horns are also well-beloved for one other great characteristic of theirs – simplicity. With one of these drinking horns, what you see is what you get, really, and to solidify this claim, we'll provide you a list of the most important properties of these antiquated beverage-bearers below!

The list of features to pay attention to when buying a drinking horn:
  • The Animal the Material Belonged to (Buffalo, Domestic Cattle)
  • Decorations
  • Metal Rim (often Brass)
  • The Size of the Horn
  • Sealed with Beeswax
  • Handcrafted
  • The Number of Horns in a Set
  • Metal Stand
  • Dishwasher Safe or Handwashing Recommended
If you like the idea of gritty medieval peasants or mighty warriors reposing and having some ale after a hard day of either pillaging or digging up some turnips, but can't really be bothered to do the dishes, we recommend you get yourself a drinking horn that's dishwasher safe. No wash-up, just leisure, and beer – what's not to love?
Construction and Design
Design-wise, drinking horns don't leave too much room for creativity or optimization, for rather obvious reasons. Even though some changes can be made to the original shape, most manufacturers choose not to, as the authenticity and the rugged look of a natural horn are the most prominent selling points of these ancient-looking drinking utensils in the first place! That being said, you can still find some models featuring a brass rim or a separate metal stand to complement the horn, but that's as much customization as you can expect in this particular category.

When it comes to tracking down the right drinking horn for you and your clan, the most important things to determine are its capacity, the number of horns included if it’s a set, and the quality of the material, since you’ll likely want to know both how many fellow weekend warriors you can entertain with these horns as well as how long they’ll last you. Oh, and yes, most models are also thoroughly polished for additional protection, for enhanced looks and long service!
Performance and Ease of Use
Having a sip of your favorite ale out of a drinking horn is both a pretty straightforward undertaking and a potentially irritatingly odd inconvenience. The thing is, pouring a beverage in it and holding it in your hand is quite an easy thing to do, but the trouble begins when you find yourself in a situation when you want to leave it rest for a moment or two, so that you can go hit the loo, or maybe have a cordial bedrunken hug! If you can already picture yourself failing miserably in social interactions due to this drinking horn loophole, so to speak, we’d advise you to get a model with a holder. Other than that, make sure to keep your drinking horn away from heat and children, wash it up after every use, and Bob's your uncle!

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Get the Best Drinking Horn of 2023!

If you were to ask an ancient peasant what was the best way to drink beer, the answer would most probably be something like: 'Forsooth, out of an olde 'n' fusty horn, m'lord!' The same bloke would also perhaps claim that the Earth was flat, but never mind that. A drinking horn in this day and age is still a grand asset of genteel and leisure, and can really spice up your jolly gathering whatever the occasion! We hope you liked our top 5 picks, and have managed to find the perfect model for yourself or someone near and dear to you! Have ye a delectable sip for us too, and cheers!

Our Top Choice
Valhalla Drinkware Wine/Mead Drinking Horn
Valhalla Drinkware Wine/Mead Drinking Horn
Best Value
Armory Replicas 3 of a Kind Drinking Horn
Armory Replicas 3 of a Kind Drinking Horn
Viva La Vivia Drinking Horn Set
Viva La Vivia Drinking Horn Set
Alehorn Natural Drinking Horn
Alehorn Natural Drinking Horn
MyGANN Black Buffalo Drinking Horn
MyGANN Black Buffalo Drinking Horn

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