On Sunday, May 7 beginning at 11 a.m., Sly Fox Brewing Company will host their legendary Bock Fest and Goat Race. This annual rain-or-shine spectacle has been called “Philadelphia’s Best Beer Event” and will feature one of the largest single offerings of bock beers served by any brewery in the United States, including the release of Sly Fox’s seasonal Maibock. Revelers will be able to enjoy live German Oompah music, great food, and the main event: live goat racing, featuring as many as 60 competitors, with the winner earning the honor of having the year’s festive Maibock named in his or her honor. In addition, a Jumbotron will take over the lush field neighboring the 30,000-square-foot brewery and broadcast the goat races.
“People always come up and ask me, ‘You aren’t seriously racing goats, are you?’ and the honest answer has remained the same since we started this crazy event in 2000: ‘Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing!’” says Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly. “Bock Fest started small, but today, it’s the kick-off to our summer season and something we look forward to all year round. We can’t wait to wash down a delicious bratwurst or two with some great bock beers and cheer on this year’s crew of goat contenders.”
Bock Fest is cash only and free to attend. All food and drink must be purchased with tickets, available on site. An ATM is located inside the Sly Fox Tastin’ Room (331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown, PA), which opens its doors wide to the public during Bock Fest, and there will be a mobile ATM van in the parking lot. Guests may also purchase food and drink tickets using the secure BeerMe app, available for easy download on all smartphones. Inside and at tents near the races, O’Reilly and his crew will pour an assortment of German-style beers, including Slacker Bock, Instigator Dopperbock, two Eisbocks, and the year’s celebratory Maibock, to be tapped after it is christened in honor of the winning goat at the conclusion of the races.
In addition, the brewery will serve German brats, pretzels, veggie sandwiches and pizza, and vendors such as Stella Jeanne’s Festival Food, The Cow & the Curd and Weckerly’s Ice Cream will be on hand with their tastiest wares. Registration opened in early April for would-be “goat handlers” and entries will be accepted until April 24 (click here). Participants must secure their own goat and the cost is $60 per goat and includes a Bock Fest VIP Pass, mug, t-shirt and two drink tickets. All goats must be checked in by 12 noon.
The first heat for the goat races starts promptly at 2 p.m., and this “delightfully weird” event typically takes about 90 minutes, with as many as 60 registered goats competing for the title. Sly Fox representatives will crown the Goat Race Champion at the conclusion; their Maibock beer will be named in honor of the winning goat and ceremoniously tapped for all to enjoy.
This year’s winner will join a long list of greats in the Sly Fox Goat Hall of Fame, including: George (2000), Clover (2001), Ernie (2002), Nelly (2003), Weird Beard (2004), Savannah (2005), Han (2006), Sundae (2007), Jasper (2008), Dax (2009), Nelly (2010), Peggy (2011), Peggy (2012), Simon (2013), Jixxer (2014), Penny (2015), Blue Hazel (2016). *Peggy and Simon were crowd favorites and their victories were made even more impressive due to these goats only having three legs.
As soon as the races conclude, German rock-and-roller Alex Meixner will play his accordion to entertain the crowd for the first time in the event’s 17-year history. Meixner is a global icon and Grammy-nominated musician who gained national fame after recording the “One-Man Pep Band” commercial for Hormel Foods. Listen to Meixner’s distinctive sounds while taking part in Masskrugstemmen, a traditional Bavarian bier stein holding contest where participants compete to see who can hold a 5-pound Liter mug, filled with Sly Fox beer, for the longest period of time (winner will receive a $100 gift card and bragging rights). Bock Fest is a family-friendly event, with ample opportunities for children to mingle with the goats and get their faces painted to match their favorite goat racer – and meet Billy the Goat, the official mascot of Bock Fest. For additional information, including parking and transportation, please click here.
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