A little reason to celebrate
National Bock Beer Day
Drink ยท March 20
A look at bock beer, the strong, malty German lager style, what it tastes like, its cousins like doppelbock, and how people enjoy a glass.
National Bock Beer Day falls on Saturday, March 20, 2027. That is 144 days away.
Bock is a strong lager with roots in Germany, known for a deep malt flavor and a warming finish. It tends to be amber to dark brown, though paler versions exist, and it leans toward bread, toffee and toasted grain rather than hoppy bitterness.
The style has a few relatives. Maibock is lighter in color and a little hoppier. Doppelbock is richer and stronger still, and many doppelbock names end in "ator" by brewing custom. Eisbock is made by freezing the beer and removing some of the ice, which concentrates both flavor and alcohol.
The name has a goat attached to it. "Bock" sounds like the German word for a male goat, so goats show up on a great many labels, usually looking stubborn.
People tend to treat bock as a beer to sip slowly. It pairs well with hearty food: roast pork, sausages, dark bread, aged cheeses. Many breweries release bocks as seasonal beers, so a local taproom may have one on draft for a limited run. Serving it slightly cooler than room temperature, rather than ice cold, lets the malt sweetness come through.
For anyone who skips alcohol, the flavors that define bock (caramel, toasted bread, a hint of dried fruit) also turn up in malt drinks and dark breads, which makes a fine stand-in alongside the same sausages and cheese.
Ways to celebrate
- Try a traditional bock alongside a maibock or doppelbock to compare.
- Pair a bock with sausages, dark bread or aged cheese.
- Look for a seasonal bock at a local brewery or taproom.
- Count the goats on bock labels at your nearest bottle shop.
- Share a bottle with friends, and arrange rides home ahead of time.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, March 20 |
| 2027 | Saturday, March 20 |
| 2028 | Monday, March 20 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, March 20 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, March 20 |
Also on March 20
- National Ravioli Day
- National Corndog Day
- First Day of Spring
- National Quilting Day
- Won't You Be My Neighbor Day
- Alien Abduction Day
- National Proposal Day
- Snowman Burning Day
Categories: Drink days