Every March 20th, take a step back in history by drinking a traditional German bock on National Bock Beer Day. 

Dating back to the Medieval era, this dark lager was initially brewed in the northern town of Einbeck, Germany, during the fourteenth century. 

When the bock traveled south to Munich during the seventeenth century, the subtle differences in language meant that Bavarians started to mispronounce the beer from Einbeck as ein bock. 

That word in German literally translates to billy goat. 

The name stuck, and so did the image of the animal, which you'll find on many bock labels to this day. 

One might be tempted to say this beer style is the…GOAT.  

So, What Exactly Is a Bock? 

Traditional German-style bocks are dark lagers heavy on the malt, showcasing classic German grains like Munich or Vienna malt. 

Because of the emphasis on malt, bocks have a significant sweetness balanced with solid notes of toasted nuts. 

Historically, since brewers used bottom-fermenting lager yeast in a bock, they would store the beer for extended periods to smooth out all those intense flavors. 

Typically a bit higher in strength for a lager, bocks clock in anywhere from 6.3% - 7.5% ABV. 

These beers pour out anywhere from amber to dark ruby red with robust malt flavors and just a whisper of hoppiness.

You can also find variations such as helles bock (lighter), maibock (paler and hoppier), dunkelbock, and doppelbock (heavier and darker). 

For a full breakdown: Check out Hop Culture's piece on What Is a Bock?

Earn the Bock Beer Day Badge (2024)

Of course, at Untappd, we celebrate National Bock Beer Day the best way we know how…

With a new badge! 

This one is pretty simple to earn: just drink a bock during the holiday.

 To earn this badge: Check-in any one (1) beer produced in the Bock style from Mar. 18, 2024, through Mar. 22, 2024.