Think you can do it? Most fail 31-pound mug challenge at Rock Springs brewery

ROCK SPRINGS — The mug doesn’t look impossible at first. It sits on the bar at Square State Brewing, stainless steel and oversized, the kind of novelty item people glance at and think they can handle. Then they try to lift it. Most can’t.

“It shocks people how heavy it is,” said Cassandra Vincelette, co-owner of the brewery. “A lot of people come in and think they can do it. Then they grab it, and it’s a whole different story.”

The mug weighs 31 pounds. That is slightly lighter than the 35-pound version made popular in viral videos online, where people attempt to lift the mug one-handed and drink from it without spilling. Vincelette first saw the challenge—sometimes also called the Thor’s Mug challenge—on TikTok, where videos from a tavern in the Midwest kept appearing in her feed. She tracked one down online, but the 35-pound version was sold out. Even at 31 pounds, the ridiculously heavy beer mug has proven more than enough for most people.

“It feels heavier than that,” said Mark Beery, who has given it a try and couldn’t complete the lift. “Thirty pounds should be easy. This isn’t.”

Unlike a dumbbell or kettlebell, the weight sits awkwardly in the hand, pulling away from the wrist. Grip strength matters. So does balance. “It’s all in your wrist,” Vincelette said. “A lot of people can lift it, but getting it up to your mouth and actually drinking without spilling is the hard part.”

The rules to the challenge are simple but strict: one hand only, no bracing against the bar, no switching hands. Once the mug leaves the surface, the attempt has begun. People can test the weight beforehand, but they can’t practice. After that, there are no second chances. Since introducing the challenge about two weeks ago, the Rock Springs brewery has seen 15 to 20 attempts, with roughly 25% completing it successfully.

Rob Martin is one of them. “The hardest part is the beginning,” Martin said. “Once you get it moving, your grip starts to slip. Your hands get sweaty, and it feels like it’s going to drop.” Even mid-attempt, there is no break from the strain. Spilling counts against the attempt—a few drops might pass, too much and it’s over.

So far, none of the few women who have tried have completed it, though several have come close. Vincelette has ordered a lighter 22-pound version for women and hopes to eventually get the 35-pound mug when it becomes available. The goal is entertainment, and the challenge has brought new faces through the door. Success earns a free drink and bragging rights, but for most, the real reward is the experience—laughter, new friendships and the lesson that it’s heavier than it looks.