Precipitation Retaliation Happy Hour

Friday February 24, 2023 5P-8:30P at Northern Row Brewery & Distillery 111 West McMicken Ave
In 2008, Bockfest was almost entirely shut down by the largest snowfall in 20 years. A motley band of hardcore Bockfest fans took to the streets to parade through the snow, and hunkered down at Bockfest Hall to enjoy their delicious Bock beer. Unfortunately, everyone else was not so lucky and couldn’t make it to Over-the-Rhine.
In 2009, we felt a little retaliation was in order. A snowman effigy was acquired, and set alight at Grammer’s amid much celebration. The gods were thus put on notice, and provided us with a beautiful Bockfest weekend. With similar results in 2010 after burning another snowman at Milton’s, a tradition was born. We cannot conclusively guarantee that we have acquired the power to control the weather in Cincinnati, but it has worked for the past three years. In 2012, in fact, we attribute this ritual to why a tornado that was supposed to hit downtown Cincinnati was substituted with clearing skies in time for the parade. As importantly, burning a snowman is a lot more fun than watching a groundhog stick its head out of a hole.

Join us as we make our ritual sacrifice for 2023. Watch as we burn this year’s victim at the stake at 8PM and toast to a beautiful Bockfest weekend. $5 pints of Cooper Hellerbock plus you can poke your beer with a hot iron! 

​The Precipitation Retaliation Happy Hour will be held Northern Row Brewery and Distillery on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 5P-8:30P. Snowman burning will take place at 8P.

Sausage Queen

Saturday February 25, 2023 8P-9P at Mecklenburg Gardens 302 East University Ave
The renowned (and sometimes notorious) Bockfest Sausage Queen  helps lead the Bockfest Parade by carrying a symbolic tray of  Bockwurst. The Sausage Queen is Bockfest royalty who is anointed in the least aristocratic manner we could create: a gender-neutral pageant that has multiple preliminary rounds in local bars and beer halls. Winning contestants receive prizes, but are mostly vying for the honor and prestige of being the 2023 Sausage Queen.

The Final is February 25, 2023 at 8PM at Mecklenburg Gardens. Doors open at 6PM, with live music from the Polka Warriors. Keg tapping at 7:30P, Stein Hoisting at 8P, with the finals immediately following.

​Learn more and register HERE.

Let's Get Bocked Up Happy Hour

Thursday March 2, 2023 4P-7P at Rosedale OTR 208 East 12th Street
Join us at Rosedale OTR for a happy hour with half-price specials, Bockfest package raffles, and and appearance by BABY GOATS!

Tapping of the Bocks

Thursday March 2, 2023 6P-8P at Arnolds Bar & Grill 210 East 8th Street
Arnold's is officially kicking off Bockfest early again this year and will be ceremoniously tapping 17 different Bocks at once!

​This year Arnold’s is featuring a host of local Bocks as well as several authentic German Bocks! We will have everyone’s favorite Franciscan monk, Brother Tim in the house to officially bless the beer.

Besides the crazy number of Bock Beers on tap, Xander Wells will be performing live on stage from 6-8pm!

Bockfest Happy Hour and Bockfest Brewing Champions Beer Release and Awards Ceremony Toast

Friday March 3, 2023 3P-6P at Moerlein Lager House 115 Joe Nuxhall Way
​Start your Bockfest out right Friday March 3rd 3pm – 6pm for our Bockfest Happy Hour and Bockfest Brewing Champions beer release and awards ceremony toast. 

Bockfest Happy Hour Featuring $5 Moerlein Drafts plus our Emancipator Doppelbock, and Bockfest Beer Competition Winners Traditional Bock Beer. Select $5 Appetizers, House Wine and Well Drinks.

4P Bockfest Homebrew Competition Brewers Awards Ceremony and Toast. Come honor Ruben Castilo and Greg Holthaus as they are awarded the Bockfest Brewing Champion Trophy.
​
Easy parking directly below the Moerlein Lager House and a free streetcar ride to the Bockfest site. Just get off at Findlay Market head east through the market that will lead you to Findlay Park and the event site. Plus, it's a great place to park to get on the streetcar to Arnold's and the Parade start as well.

​Details HERE

Past Events