Top 10 Bock Beers Brewed in North America
This Top Ten List of Bock Beers is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The best bocks are made with all malt and are strong, malty, medium- to full-bodied, bottom-fermented beers with moderate hop bitterness that should increase proportionately with the starting gravity. Hop flavor should be low and hop aroma should be very low. Bocks can range in color from deep copper to dark brown. ABV: 6.30% – 7.60%. IBU: 20-30
1. Bonspiel Bock – Forgotten Star Brewing – Minnesota
2. Tiger Bock – Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant – Kansas
3. Bock-A-Fella – The Common Beer Company – Ohio
4. Alburquerque Fantastic Bocks and Where to Find – Flix Brewhouse – Alburquerque – New Mexico
5. Dunkels Bock – Pilot Brewing – North Carolina
6. Big Bock Energy – Morgan Territory Brewing – California
7. Von Trapp Bock Bier – von Trapp Brewing – Vermont
8. King Gambrinus – Canton Brewing Company – Ohio
9. New Glarus Uff-da Bock – New Glarus Brewing – Wisconsin
10. Bock – Niagara College – Ontario
The History of Bock Beer: A Robust German Lager with a Goaty Tale
Bock beer, a strong, malty lager with deep roots in German brewing, is a style that carries centuries of history, tradition, and a curious connection to goats. From its medieval origins in the northern German town of Einbeck to its evolution in Bavaria and beyond, bock beer has become a beloved style worldwide, celebrated for its rich flavors and seasonal significance. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of bock beer, its cultural importance, and how it became the “goat” of German lagers.
Origins in Einbeck: The Birthplace of Bock
The story of bock beer begins in the 14th century in Einbeck, a bustling trade hub in Lower Saxony, Germany. Einbeck was a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval trade network that facilitated the export of goods, including beer, across Europe. The brewers of Einbeck crafted a strong, dark beer made with a mix of barley and wheat, designed to withstand long journeys without spoiling. This beer, known as “Ainpöckisch Bier,” was prized for its quality, stability, and high alcohol content, which ranged from 6.3% to 7.5% ABV.
Einbeck’s brewing success was no accident. The city implemented strict quality control measures, with dozens of burghers malting their own grains under the supervision of a town brewmaster. This early form of standardization, combined with access to high-quality hops from nearby regions, made Einbeck’s beer a sought-after commodity in markets as far afield as Scandinavia, England, and the Mediterranean. A receipt from 1378 documents the sale of “Einbecker” beer to the town of Celle, marking one of the earliest written records of this brew.
The Move to Munich: A Name and a Goat Are Born
By the 17th century, Einbeck’s beer had gained a devoted following in Munich, the brewing capital of Bavaria. Munich’s brewers, eager to replicate this popular northern style, invited an Einbeck brewmaster, Elias Pichler, to join them in 1612. Under his guidance, the Hofbräuhaus began producing a strong lager inspired by Einbeck’s beer, adapting it to local ingredients and techniques. This marked a significant shift, as the original Einbeck beer, likely a top-fermented ale, was transformed into a bottom-fermented lager, aligning with Bavaria’s brewing traditions.
The name “bock” emerged during this transition, and it’s here that the story gets a bit whimsical. In the Bavarian dialect, “Einbeck” was pronounced as “ein Bock,” which coincidentally means “billy goat” in German. Whether due to this linguistic quirk or a playful marketing move, the name “bock” stuck, and goats became a recurring symbol on bock beer labels. Some tales suggest the beer’s strength inspired the name, likened to the “kick” of a goat, but the pronunciation theory is widely accepted as the most likely origin.
Monastic Influence: Bock as “Liquid Bread”
Bock beer found a special place in Bavarian monasteries, where it became a staple during periods of fasting. Monks, forbidden from consuming solid food during Lent, Christmas, or Easter, turned to strong, calorie-rich beers as a source of sustenance. Bock’s high malt content and alcohol strength made it an ideal “liquid bread,” providing nourishment and warmth during these religious observances.
The Paulaner monks, part of the order of St. Francis of Paula, played a pivotal role in refining bock beer. In 1634, they established the Paulaner brewery in Munich and began brewing a particularly robust version of bock, which they named Salvator (Latin for “Savior”). This beer, released to the public in 1780, became the archetype for doppelbock, a stronger, maltier variant with an ABV typically ranging from 7% to 12%. The “-ator” suffix, inspired by Salvator, became a hallmark of doppelbock, with modern examples like Ayinger Celebrator and Spaten Optimator continuing the tradition.
The Evolution of Bock Styles
Over time, bock beer evolved into a family of substyles, each with distinct characteristics and seasonal associations. These variations reflect the creativity of Bavarian brewers and the changing tastes of beer drinkers:
Traditional Bock: The classic style, characterized by a deep amber to brown color, rich malt flavors, and a smooth, toasty finish. It’s moderately strong (6.3–7.5% ABV) and lightly hopped, with a focus on malt sweetness balanced by subtle bitterness.
Maibock (Helles Bock): A paler, more hop-forward version brewed for spring festivals, particularly in May (hence “Mai”). With a deep gold to light amber hue and an ABV of 6.3–8.1%, it’s crisp and refreshing, often paired with warm weather.
Doppelbock: A “double” bock, this style is darker, stronger, and richer, with intense malt flavors and notes of caramel, dark fruit, or chocolate. It was historically a monastic favorite, designed to sustain through fasting.
Eisbock: The strongest of the bunch, eisbock is made by partially freezing doppelbock and removing the ice, concentrating the flavors and alcohol (8.6–14.3% ABV, though some reach much higher). The result is a potent, syrupy beer with complex toasty and fruity notes.
Weizenbock: A wheat-based bock, combining the body and strength of bock with the fruity, spicy esters of a hefeweizen. First produced by G. Schneider & Sohn in 1907, it typically contains 40–60% wheat and has an ABV of 6.5–9%.
Bock in America: A New World Twist
Bock beer crossed the Atlantic in the 19th century, brought by German immigrants who settled in cities like Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. American bock, however, diverged from its German roots due to differences in ingredients and brewing practices. Unlike German bocks, which adhered to the Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) and used all-barley malt, American versions often incorporated corn or rice as adjuncts, resulting in a lighter, drier beer with a lower ABV (4.5–5.5%).
Breweries like Schlitz, Pabst, and Shiner embraced bock as a spring seasonal, often releasing it with fanfare and goat-themed labels. Shiner Bock, produced by the Spoetzl Brewery in Texas since 1913, remains one of the most iconic American bocks, known for its approachable maltiness and 4.4% ABV. By the mid-20th century, however, the rise of light lagers pushed American bock to the margins, and myths emerged that it was made from “barrel dregs” due to its darker color.
The craft beer revolution of the 1980s and 1990s revived interest in bock, with American brewers experimenting with traditional German styles and creating their own interpretations. Breweries like Bell’s (Consecrator Doppelbock), Tröegs (Troegenator Double Bock), and Denizens Brewing (Bock to the Future) have embraced bock’s heritage while adding modern twists, such as barrel aging or unique malt profiles.
Cultural Significance and Modern Revival
Bock beer’s seasonal nature and historical ties to religious festivals give it a unique cultural resonance. In Germany, bock is synonymous with spring festivals like Bockfest in Cincinnati, which celebrates the style with parades, goat imagery, and plenty of beer. The style’s association with monks and fasting also adds a layer of mystique, making it a favorite among beer historians and enthusiasts.
Today, bock is experiencing a renaissance in the craft beer world, with breweries across the globe experimenting with the style. From Little Miami Brewing in Ohio to Barrique Brewing in Tennessee, craft brewers are honoring bock’s traditions while pushing boundaries with innovative recipes. The style’s versatility—ranging from light and hoppy to dark and boozy—makes it appealing to a wide audience, and its rich history adds depth to every sip.
Why Bock Beer Matters
Bock beer is more than just a strong lager; it’s a testament to the ingenuity of medieval brewers, the adaptability of Bavarian monks, and the enduring appeal of malt-driven beers. Its journey from Einbeck to Munich to the modern craft beer scene is a story of trade, culture, and creativity, with a dash of humor courtesy of the billy goat. Whether you’re savoring a classic Paulaner Salvator or a local Maibock, each glass of bock is a taste of history.
So, the next time you see a goat on a beer label, raise a glass to the brewers of Einbeck, the monks of Munich, and the countless others who’ve kept this robust lager alive for centuries. Bock beer truly is the G.O.A.T.—a Greatest Of All Time brew with a legacy that continues to kick.
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