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Cincinnati’s Bockfest – Largest Bockfest in America

March 6, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

Cincinnati’s Bockfest is one of the city’s most unique and irreverent annual celebrations, blending its rich German brewing heritage, the arrival of spring, and a love for bock beer. It’s held in the historic Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood, once home to dozens of breweries in the 1800s when Cincinnati was a major U.S. brewing hub.

History
Bock beer itself has deep roots: German monks brewed hearty, malty bock lagers during Lent to sustain them through fasting (higher in nutrition and alcohol to help endure the period). “Bock” means “goat” in German, and folklore ties the name to a monk blaming a goat for his drunken stumble rather than the beer’s potency. Pre-Prohibition, Cincinnati breweries released bock beers in spring as seasonal staples.

The modern festival started in 1993 (now in its 34th year as of 2026). Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company launched a Christian Moerlein Bock beer (reviving a historic brand) and turned the release into a community event to celebrate Cincinnati’s brewing past. They partnered with Over-the-Rhine residents, bar owners, and groups like Merchants of Main Street to create Bockfest. It began small—under 600 attendees in year one—but grew into a major tradition.

The festival nearly faded after Hudepohl’s production moved out of state in the late 1990s, but it was revived in the mid-2000s by local enthusiasts and tied loosely to Mardi Gras vibes for extra flair. Greg Hardman later brought Christian Moerlein back to Cincinnati, helping solidify Bockfest Hall (now at spots like the Moerlein Lager House). Today, it’s community-led, free to attend, and features multiple venues in OTR.

The Parade
The Cincinnait’s Bockfest Parade kicks off the weekend on Friday evening (typically around 6 p.m.), starting at Arnold’s Bar and Grill—Cincinnati’s oldest saloon (opened in 1861) and a fitting launch point since it was the first to serve the revived Moerlein Bock in the 20th century.

The parade marches north into Over-the-Rhine, ending near historic spots like Old St. Mary’s Church. It’s famously quirky and “the funkiest parade in Cincinnati”—no standard floats or fire trucks here. Instead, expect creative, beer-themed entries like faux monks, “Trojan goats,” GoatBusters, keg-men, goats on Segways, German bands, and chants like “drink more beer.” A highlight: It’s led by a real goat pulling a miniature keg of Christian Moerlein Emancipator Doppelbock (or similar), which gets ceremoniously tapped at the end to mark the official start of the festivities. The reigning Sausage Queen often joins as a marshal.

Fun Facts
Goat obsession: Goats are everywhere—symbolizing “bock” (goat). The parade goat is a star, and past entries have included elaborate goat-related themes. Legend says monks blamed goats for beer-induced wobbles.
Sausage Queen: There’s a playful pageant for the “Sausage Queen,” adding campy royalty to the beer focus.
Attendance growth: From a tiny launch to drawing 20,000–30,000+ people in recent years.
Oldest bock fest: It’s the oldest German-style bock beer festival in the United States.
Irreverent vibe: It’s a mix of German Renaissance flair, monks in robes (borrowed early on from local friars), and pure fun—perfect for blaming any post-fest mishaps on “the goat.”

Bockfest runs over a weekend (e.g., March 6-8 in 2026), with free entry to events, bock beers on tap at venues like Arnold’s, Moerlein Lager House, Rhinegeist, and others, plus music, food, and more. It’s a true Cincinnati original—cheers to spring and heritage! Prost!

Places to go for the Cincinnati Bockfest

Here are the 5 official Bockfest Halls for the 34th Annual Servatii Bockfest in Cincinnati (March 6-8, 2026), along with their official websites for more details on events, menus, specials, and schedules during the festival. These are confirmed from the official Bockfest site (bockfest.com) and venue pages.

Arnold’s Bar and Grill
210 East 8th Street (Downtown)
Website: https://www.arnoldsbarandgrill.com/
Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way (Downtown)
Website: https://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/
Northern Row Brewery & Distillery
111 West McMicken Avenue (Over-the-Rhine)
Website: https://www.northernrow.com/
Rhinegeist Brewery
1910 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine)
Website: https://rhinegeist.com/
Rosedale OTR
208 East 12th Street (Over-the-Rhine)
Website: https://www.rosedaleotr.com/

All halls are free to enter, with bock beer specials, live music, food, and unique events throughout the weekend. For the full Bockfest schedule and participating venues, check https://www.bockfest.com/official-venues.html. Enjoy the festivities—prost! 🍻

For more Bockfest Fun, Here are the Top 10 Bockfest in the USA

Von Ebert Brewing Releases New IPA Varietals Starting with Volatile Substance

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Portland, Ore. — Von Ebert Brewing is kicking off an exciting new series with the release of Tropical Substance IPA, the inaugural spin-off of its signature, award-winning Volatile Substance NW IPA. This release embodies the brewery’s motto, “Where Tradition Meets Evolution,” by reimagining the flagship’s bold hop profile with a vibrant tropical twist.

“Tropical Substance IPA shakes things up while staying true to the intense hop flavors and aromas that make Volatile Substance a standout,” said Sam Pecoraro, Brewmaster at Von Ebert Brewing. “Last year’s version sold out in days, so we’re thrilled to bring it back and build on that momentum with the full series.”

At 6.9% ABV, Tropical Substance IPA delivers prominent pineapple notes through a blend of Citra, Krush, and Strata hops, enhanced by Abstrax’s Pineapple Skyfarm for an extra burst of tropical character. It’s now available at all Von Ebert Brewing locations, as well as in bars, bottle shops, grocery stores, and convenience outlets across the Northwest. The series continues with Triple Dry Hopped (TDH) Volatile Substance NW IPA arriving in July and Saturated Substance NW IPA in November.

Von Ebert’s recently opened flagship at 825 N. Cook St. on N. Mississippi in Portland features daily food truck service from Tehuana Mexican Cuisine, plus weekend appearances by acclaimed HarBQ. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy specials across locations: 20-ounce steins of gold medal-winning Clubhaus Lager for $3 all day, every day, and at the N. Mississippi spot, Volatile Substance NW IPA for just $5 from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The brewery has expanded its non-beer options with non-alcoholic hop sparkling waters and hard seltzers, with hard teas and hard punches planned for later this year to appeal to a wider audience.

Thanks to a new production facility, Von Ebert has scaled capacity from 4,000 to up to 20,000 barrels annually and is already more than halfway there, while shifting more volume to convenient 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans. Distribution now reaches throughout Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California, and Japan.

About Von Ebert Brewing

Founded in 2018 by father-son duo Tom M. Cook and Tom S. Cook in Portland, Oregon, Von Ebert Brewing is named after the family matriarch, lovingly called “Grandma Ebert.” This quintessential immigrant story honors her journey from Germany through Ellis Island, where her grit and determination built a successful life for her family in America. The name “Von Ebert” translates loosely to “House of Ebert” or “House of the Boar,” celebrating that tenacity and German heritage. The brewery channels this legacy into award-winning beers—including 2025 World Beer Cup Gold for Clubhaus American Light Lager, 2023 Gold for German-Style Pilsner with Pils, and 2024 Bronze for Vienna Lager—while blending tradition with innovative evolution in its brewpubs and offerings.

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Karl Strauss Announces Hard Cherry Cola Release

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

San Diego, Calif. — While many brewers face ongoing headwinds in the beer industry, Karl Strauss Brewing Company—San Diego’s original craft brewery since 1989—continues to grow and innovate as an independently owned operation.

“People keep asking how we’re growing in this tough environment,” said Co-Founder and President Matt Rattner. “The answer is simple: We’re keeping our heads down, doing a lot of little things right, and staying true to what made us successful. We’ve been brewing in San Diego longer than anyone else, and remaining independent makes us a reliable choice for drinkers seeking authentic, high-quality experiences.”

To attract a broader audience amid shifting preferences—where fewer people are drinking traditional beer—Karl Strauss has launched Hard Cherry Cola, a 5% ABV, gluten-free flavored malt beverage (FMB) that’s generating significant early buzz.

“Many consumers are turning to flavored malt beverages like Twisted Tea or Mike’s Hard Lemonade, one of the few growing segments in alcohol,” Rattner explained. “We gave our brewers creative freedom, and the result is a spot-on recreation of nostalgic, old-school hard cherry colas—refreshing, not too sweet or sticky, and perfect for easy sipping. The response has been unprecedented.”

Major retailers including Disney, Vons, Albertsons, and Total Wine & More placed immediate orders, leading to a strong initial rollout.
“Hats off to our production team for handling the surge without major out-of-stocks,” said Chief Operating Officer Chad Heath. “They’ve juggled a lot to meet demand for Hard Cherry Cola.”

This launch aligns with broader market trends: The flavored malt beverage category saw U.S. sales reach approximately $4.6 billion in 2023 (up about 16% year-over-year), with continued momentum into 2024 (additional gains of around 5-6% in dollar sales in off-premise channels). Consumers increasingly favor fruit-forward, cocktail-inspired drinks, and Karl Strauss saw an opportunity to elevate a classic flavor profile with a crisp, balanced twist—evoking high-energy vibes like a Dirty Shirley or Espresso Martini, but without heavy syrups.

In addition to the new FMB, Karl Strauss is bringing back a fan-favorite: Amber Lager, the brewery’s very first beer, now available as a seasonal spring release in packaged format for the first time in 11 years.

“We get constant requests to revive this one,” Heath noted. “If people are still asking after all these years, it’s time to deliver.”

Both Hard Cherry Cola and Amber Lager are now available at select retailers throughout California. Fans can also find them on tap or in cans at Karl Strauss’ nine Southern California brewpubs, including locations in Anaheim, Corona Dos Lagos, Costa Mesa, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego (4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown, Sorrento Mesa), and Temecula.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego’s pioneering craft brewery, was founded in 1989 by cousins Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner, who drew inspiration from exceptional beers encountered during travels abroad and sought to bring high-quality, flavorful options to their hometown. They enlisted the expertise of Cramer’s cousin, legendary German-born Master Brewer Karl Strauss (1912–2006), a Jewish immigrant who fled Nazi Germany in 1939, trained formally in brewing at Weihenstephan, and spent over four decades rising through the ranks at Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee. With Strauss serving as Master Brewer—designing the facility, training staff, and crafting initial recipes like the flagship Amber Lager—the brewery opened its first brewpub, the Karl Strauss Old Columbia Brewery and Grille, on February 2, 1989, in downtown San Diego. As the first new brewery in the city since Prohibition ended more than 50 years earlier, it ignited San Diego’s modern craft beer revolution, helping transform the region into a nationally renowned beer destination. Remaining proudly independent, Karl Strauss has expanded to multiple brewpubs across Southern California, earned numerous awards, and continues to innovate while honoring Strauss’s legacy as the “Godfather of Beer” until his passing in 2006.

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Living The Dream Brewing Unveils Fresh, Modern Look for Its Canned Beer Portfolio

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Littleton, Colorado — Living The Dream Brewing, a beloved Colorado craft brewery now celebrating 12 years in business and 8 years of canning its beers, has rolled out a complete branding refresh for its canned lineup.

The brewery’s flagship recipes remain unchanged, but the new can designs deliver a cleaner, bolder aesthetic. Featuring a mix of matte and metallic finishes paired with harmonious color schemes, the updated packaging emphasizes readability with clear, concise flavor descriptions—so beer enthusiasts immediately know what they’re getting.

“The new can design creates a more unified brand identity,” said Founder Jason Bell. “This stronger cohesion drives instant recognition for Living The Dream beers on shelves, while giving us greater flexibility to innovate and bring fresh options to market faster—ultimately offering consumers a broader, more exciting selection.”
Previously, cans showcased individual outdoor photography from across Colorado’s landscapes. “Rather than each label sharing its own standalone story,” Bell explained, “the refreshed designs now let every beer express the overall spirit and story of our brewery.”

The updated cans are now appearing across Colorado for core and seasonal favorites, including:

Powder Run (and its seasonal variants)
Trailhead Fog Hazy IPA
7 Speed IPA
Fly Reel Amber
Coconut Stout

Living The Dream Brewing is proudly distributed statewide by Colorado Craft Distributors and available at more than 500 retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the brewery’s online beer finder tool at livingthedreambrewing.com to locate the nearest spot to grab a can.

About Living The Dream Brewing

Founded in 2014 in Littleton, Colorado, Living The Dream Brewing is a craft brewery dedicated to using only the finest ingredients to create exceptional beer. The brewery honors the people, places, and adventures that define the Centennial State, with taprooms serving as home bases for exploration in Highlands Ranch and Littleton’s Sterling Ranch.

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Orval Beer Day: A Toast to Tradition

March 3, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

In the rolling hills of Belgium’s Gaume region, nestled within the ancient walls of the Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Orval, a special day unfolds each spring—Orval Beer Day. Celebrated annually, this event honors the legendary Orval Trappist Ale, a beer unlike any other, brewed with devotion by the Trappist monks since 1931. On March 26th, 2016, and in the years that followed, beer enthusiasts across the globe raised their chalices to celebrate this unique brew, its rich history, and the timeless story of the abbey.

The tale begins with Countess Matilda of Tuscany, who, in the 13th century, lost her wedding ring in a spring while visiting the “Golden Valley” (Orval). Heartbroken, she prayed for its return. Moments later, a trout emerged from the water, the ring in its mouth, inspiring the abbey’s iconic fish-and-ring symbol that graces every bottle of Orval today. This legend, woven into the abbey’s identity, sets the stage for a beer that’s as storied as it is flavorful.

Orval Beer Day is a nod to the beer’s singular place in the world of Trappist brewing. Unlike other Trappist monasteries that craft multiple styles, Orval produces just one commercial beer—a Belgian Pale Ale with a sunset-orange hue, a foamy head, and a complex flavor born from dry-hopping and wild Brettanomyces yeast. At 6.2% ABV (sometimes reaching 6.9% with aging), it’s a beer that evolves in the bottle, gaining nuance over years, much like a fine wine. Its tart, fruity notes, earthy spices, and hoppy, dry finish make it a favorite among brewers and drinkers alike, from Belgian monks to American craft beer pioneers like Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing.

On this day, bars across the United States and beyond pour Orval in its signature skittle-shaped bottles, designed by architect Henry Vaes to keep sediment at bay. The beer’s chalice, also crafted by Vaes, enhances its aromas—think leather, citrus, and forest herbs—while maintaining that perfect head. In 2019, over 600 U.S. accounts joined the celebration, with proceeds from sales supporting local charities, a nod to the Trappist tradition of giving back. At the abbey, a lighter version, Orval Vert, is served to monks and visitors, but it’s the flagship Orval that steals the show, sipped reverently in quiet taverns or lively gatherings.

Picture a cozy pub on Orval Beer Day: friends clink glasses, marveling at the beer’s cloudy glow and funky, farmhouse tang. A first-timer might say, “It’s like drinking a forest in autumn!” while a seasoned fan nods, savoring the bitter aftertaste. The day isn’t just about the beer—it’s about connection, history, and the monks’ quiet dedication to craft and charity. As the sun sets, someone raises a toast: “To Orval, to Matilda’s trout, and to good company!” And in that moment, the spirit of the Golden Valley lives on, one sip at a time.