The Fascinating History Behind Sly Fox’s Bock Fest and Goat Race
The 2023 Bock Fest is on May 7
The historic town of Einbeck, Germany, is a popular destination for those seeking cityscapes fixed with woodcarving and half-timbered architecture. The iconic buildings are what tourists see on Instagram and Pinterest. Yet, there is another side to Einbeck that brings travelers to its old town quarters, which involves a global delicacy–bock beer.
Historically speaking, German breweries would brew stronger beers late in the year and allow them to lager over the winter. This style of brewing produced what we know as bock beer. The name “bock” is derived from the town of Einbeck. Due to the similar pronunciation of “bock” and the German word for “billy goat,” (Ziegenbock) German breweries began including images of goats on bock beer labels.
Over the Atlantic Ocean in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Sly Fox Brewing Company continues the tradition of bock beer by holding an annual event.