In yet another indication that sooner or later there will be a national day set aside to commemorate just about anything, we were recently informed that today is National Bock Beer Day. Who knew? We certainly didn’t – and we’re calling bullshit on you if you tell us you did. But since the American Craft Beer crew is prone to celebrating just about anything at the slightest provocation – and since this day celebrates beer – we’re 100% in!

So welcome to ACB’s “first-ever” celebration of National Bock Beer Day.

We don’t know how we missed it last year but we intend to make up for that oversight big-time this year. For the next 24 hours, we’ll be walking, talking, and living Bock Beers – and we suggest that you do the same. Today you’re not meeting your friends for a beer…. Today you’re meeting your friends for a Bock.

As with all national holidays, it’s essential that you know what you’re celebrating. None of us need to look foolish (more than we have to)-and we’re here to help.

What You’re Celebrating

Bock Beer is a strong German Lager. Several sub-styles exist within the Bock family and it’s our understanding that they can all be consumed freely as part of National Bock Beer Day.Traditional Bock is a sweet, relatively strong (generally in the 6.3%-7.2% ABV range) lightly hopped lager. The Maibock was brilliantly explained in our recent What The Hell Is A Maibock column, so we’re not going to detail it here. The Doppelbock is a stronger and maltier variant that was first brewed in Munich by the Paulaner Friars. TheEisbock is a traditional specialty beer from the Kulmbach district of Germany – it’s a much stronger version made by partially freezing the beer and removing the ice that forms.

Proper Bock Beer Day Attire

There are purists out there who insist that wearing goat horns while out drinking is the only way to go -but we disagree. And although it’s always fun to pull out the lederhosen on a day like today – we don’t think it’s necessary. Just look festive and come ready to drink Bock Beer.

Some Bock Beers We Like and You Might Want to Try

Anchor Bock, Anchor Brewing (San Francisco, CA) – A complex blend of malts and fresh, whole-cone hops, Anchor Bock is a worthy example of the tradition. At 5.5% ABV, the beer retains a nice hoppy aroma against a sweet backdrop of dark fruit and it’s a perfect way to start celebrating Bock Beer Day.

Summit Maibock, Summit Brewing (St. Paul, MN) – This popular Minnesota craft brewery provides a slight slant to Bock’s Maibock style featuring Moravian 37 barley and Czech Saaz hops. Summit Maibock just screams National Bock Beer Day and you will too when you drink some!

Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales (Newport, OR) – Another unique offering to the Maibock style, Rogue Dead Guy Ale is brewed with Ale yeast, and features Pearl and Sterling hops. This award-winning Bock will retain its signature balance – even as you lose yours.

Troegenator Double Bock, Tröegs Brewing (Hershey, PA) – One of American craft beer’s finest examples of a Doppelbock. At 8.2% ABV,the Troegenator Double Bockis a monster and an essential addition to any Bock Beer Day throwdown.

Uff-da, New Glarus Brewing (New Glarus, WI) – New Glarus Uff-da is the brewery’s take on the basic German Bock and we’re all about it! Named after an expression commonly used in the upper Midwest and brewed in the Reinheitsgebot tradition – this is Bock Beer at its truest and most basic -solid!