Beer Run

Bockfest may look a little different this year, but one thing remains the same about this spring fling – going for a beer run!

Bock Beer 5K
Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m.
The Banks

Register now!

The Bock Beer 5K will be in a new location at The Banks, but you can expect the same fun as in years past, kicking off a day to celebrate beer, spring, and even goats.

Photos: Shae Huth

Bockfest is a uniquely Cincinnati event, and the Bock Beer 5K celebrates all the history, beer, and, well, weirdness, that entails. Bock Beer is traditionally brewed for special occasions, in this case the coming of spring. A complex and hardy brew, bock beer traditionally has a higher nutritional content than other beers (and with a higher alcohol content!). It is linked to spring because German monks drank it as a substitute for food during their Lenten fasts.

Bockfest, held March 1 to 3, will have three breweries hosting events as official Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, and Rhinegeist Brewery.

Deck the (Bockfest) Halls

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way

Northern Row
111 West McMicken Avenue

Rhinegeist
1910 Elm Street

Admission to the parade and the Bockfest Halls, which include music and entertainment is FREE.

Full Bockfest schedule

The party (and weekend) begins with a parade on Friday, March 1, at 6 p.m. Stepping off from Arnold’s Bar and Grill, the parade of robed monks, costumed folks, and adorable goats winds its way through the streets of Over-the-Rhine.

With three Bockfest halls, you can find live music, brewery tours, and plenty of beer tastings throughout downtown and OTR. MLH is also home to the Bockfest Brunch, featuring a special bloody Mary, as well as the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner meal. Festivities also include the Brewer’s Olympics, beer competitions, and a speaker series.

At Northern Row, you’ll find plenty of live music with your beer. Plus the parade awards with on Saturday. The weekend wraps up with a speical Goat petting zoo!

Rhinegeist is home to the Sausage Queen competition final on Saturday, followed by the always amazing Hot Magnolias on stage. On Sunday, stretch your muscles with goat yoga!

The parade, entertainment, and goat-spotting, are free, making Bockfest an easy way to celebrate the city’s history and the much anticipated coming of spring.