Bock Beer Day is celebrated on March 20 every year. It is a special day that honors, celebrates, and recognizes a form of lager that originated from the German Einbeck in the Saxony region — Bock Beer. Did you know that bock beer contains many variants such as heller bock, Helles bock, Maibock, and pale? Yes, there are also variants called Eisbock and doppelbock (the more potent version of the malt beer). These sweet beers are usually more sold during the spring harvest festivals. So, if you’re looking for a strong malt beer with an aroma of fresh toffee to take a break from all your modern-day stress, today is the day!
History of Bock Beer Day
For those who don’t know what a bock beer is or what it tastes like, it’s a dark beer, sometimes pale in color with a malt aroma that reminds you of fresh bread crust and toffee with no hop aroma. The history of bock beer is an interesting one.
Bock beer style originated in the Saxony region, on the eastern border of central Germany. The region is adjacent to Poland and the Czech Republic. During the 1400s, the bock beer was first made and presented in malty, lightly hopped ale in dark color by the German brewers in Hanseatic, a small town of Einbeck. Later in the 1700s, brewers in the other parts of Germany such as the Munich brewers adopted the Einbeck style, which they called ‘Ein bock,’ and this name later became the official name of the beer as ‘bock beer.’
Initially, bock beers were brewed with top-fermenting yeast called ale yeast and were pale brown. But after the discovery of lager yeast in the 1500s, bock beers are brewed by bottom fermentation with lager yeast. It is responsible for its signature dark brown color. Today, modern bock beers can range from light copper to brown.
Bock beer was for special religious occasions such as Easter, Christmas, or Lent. It is also because German monks adopted this hearty, dark brew as ‘liquid bread’ to load up their carbs and calories while fasting on Lent. Now you know why you get so full after drinking simply one pitcher of bock beer.
Bock Beer Day timeline
Bock-style beer originates in Saxony.
Brewers begin using lager yeast that produces darker colors.
Bock beer becomes popular in other parts of Germany.
Bock beer becomes a globally-loved type of beer worldwide.
Bock Beer Day FAQs
What makes a beer a bock?
A bock is typically a bottom-fermenting lager with intense flavors that develop during the brewing process. It is stronger than the traditional lager and is dark in color.
Is bock beer bitter?
No, unlike what most people think, bock beers are not bitter like pale ales and India pale ales that have bitter hop aromas. Bock beers are all about malt that gives them a sweet aroma.
What are some of the best bock beers?
The best bock beers are Mystic Bock, Low Boy, Five O’Bock Somewhere, Rock Out with Maibock Out, Boulder Bock, and Mountain Series: Maibock.
Bock Beer Day Activities
Take that refreshing sip of bock
The best way to celebrate Bock Beer Day is by indulging in a refreshing pitcher of bock beer. Let it be any variant of bock beer on Bock Beer Day, all you need to do is enjoy it!
Throw a party
Do you belong to that elite group of people who don’t like to enjoy a beer on your own? Great news for you! You can throw a bock beer party for your friends, family, and colleagues.
Try something new
There are variations of the bock beer available like Maibocks, Helles bock, doppelbock Eisbock, and other variations. So, give any of these a try.
5 Tipsy Facts About Bock Beer That’ll Kick-Start The Festive Mode
It’s great for fasting
Bock beer is so rich in nutrients that some people consume it in high amounts during fasting.
The more flavorful frozen bocks
Eisbock version of bock beers made by partially freezing it can enhance the flavor.
May 1 was the original date
During the 1800s, Bock Beer Day was celebrated on May 1.
Its nutrient content
Roughly one cup of bock beer contains 141 calories and 13 grams of carbs.
There’s a double bock beer
It is twice as strong as traditional bock with an A.B.V. of 7% to 12%.
Why We Love Bock Beer Day
It’s a great day to chill
Our stressful lives mean sometimes we don’t get time for chilling and relaxing, Bock Beer Day is an opportunity to take a break and enjoy a refreshing pitcher.
It brings people together
Drinking and having fun with your friends, family, or strangers fosters a healthy relationship. Get together on this day!
It celebrates beer
Bock Beer Day or National Beer Bock Day is not just to celebrate one type of beer. It pays tribute to the German lagers and their entire family of beers.
Bock Beer Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 20 | Thursday |
| 2026 | March 20 | Friday |
| 2027 | March 20 | Saturday |
| 2028 | March 20 | Monday |
| 2029 | March 20 | Tuesday |
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