Around the Bock

Goats? Check.

Beer? Check.

Running shoes? Of course.

As the city gets ready to celebrate the coming of Spring – no matter the current temperatures! – with Bockfest, hundreds of runners are joining the revelry.

The Bockfest 5K returns to The Banks on Saturday, March 8, Doug Olberding, CEO of PigWorks shares his thoughts on the run.

Bockfest, now in its 33rd year, is an annual celebration of Spring, Over-the-Rhine's brewing heritage, and Bock Beer. Festivities begin with the parade on Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m., at Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 East Eighth St. Tours, tastings, and revelry continue throughout the weekend, at this year’s four Bockfest Halls – Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row, Rhinegeist, and Rosedale.

Need to carb load for the run, the parade, or just in general? (It’s still winter, folks!) head to Moerlein Lager House, Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, on Friday at noon for the ceremonial tapping of the Bockfest Brewing Champion’s Bock Beer. Bockfest dignitaries and two-time Bockfest Brewing Champion Tim McKee will tap his award-winning Bock Beer to officially launch Bockfest weekend!

McKee, a Cincinnati homebrewing legend and president of the Cincinnati Malt Infusers, has been perfecting his craft for 18 years. This year’s winning Bock Beer was brewed on the Moerlein Lager House brewing system, continuing the tradition of launching an official Bock Beer in the same way it was done 33 years ago.

Bock beer is traditionally brewed for special occasions. It is complex, hardy, traditionally has a higher nutritional content than most beer, and typically has a higher alcohol content. It has a particular link to spring because German monks drank it as a substitute for food during Lenten fasts.