The third annual Nulu Bock Fest returns this Saturday, March 24 next Saturday March 31 (change due to weather) from noon to 7 p.m. in the 600 and 700 blocks of East Market Street. This year’s festival will again feature goat racing but will also feature three goat yoga sessions leading up to the festival and the first-ever Wurst Fest Louisville, which will feature versions of a cased sausage from local restaurants. The festival is free to attend and continues an annual Spring ritual tracing back to the mid-19th Century to mark the changing of the season when the dark German lager, known as bock, was released across the city after a winter of aging. The holiday, which usually coincides with Lent, was hugely popular in Louisville during its first brewing boom but fell out of favor during Prohibition.
Bock means “goat” in German, and bock beer is a rich, complex, malty, low-hop style of lager. There are many varieties of bock that can all be different — Maibock, Dopplebock, and Eisbock. Although it is now almost always a lager, bock was originally an ale that was brewed by German monks in the Fourteenth Century. The monks would often drink the rich beer during their times of fasting. It is because of this association with the goat that goat racing is often paired with the festivities that have been making a comeback across the country.
Wurst Fest Louisville
According to a press release, each restaurant will be randomly paired with one of the bock beer breweries for the Wurst Fest Louisville and will have to use that bock beer in the sausage. Bock Fest Attendees will be able to purchase the sausages at the festival, and a panel of esteemed celebrity judges will taste them all to crown the Wurst Fest Champion! The participating restaurants are Mayan Street Cafe, Garage Bar, Wiltshire on Market, Harvest, RYE, and Monnik.
Nulu Bock Fest Goat Racing
The event will kick off with the ceremonial blessing of the goats at Noon, and the day will include seven safe and fun races (sponsored by local businesses) with separate divisions for kids (baby goats) and adults. The goats will race from Nanny Goat Strut Alley to Billy Goat Strut Alley on Clay Street. Proceeds benefit the Kentucky Guild of Brewers and Louisville Aggies.
Nulu Bock Fest Beer
Bock Fest will welcome 12 breweries this year including 3rd Turn, Against the Grain,Akasha
Dry Ground Brewing, Ethereal Brewing, Falls City, Goodwood Brewing, Gordon Biersch, Mile Wide, Monnik Brewing, and West Sixth.
Nulu Bock Fest Music:
The festival will also include music from Louisville Folk School, Hot Brown Smack Down, and The Bang Bangs throughout the day.
Nulu Bock Fest Schedule
Noon – Blessing of the beers and goats
12:30pm – Kentucky Guild of Brewers Goat Race
12:45pm – Louisville Folk School takes the stage
1:30pm – Baby Goat Race #1
2:30pm – Adult Goat Race #1
3:00pm – Hot Brown Smack Down takes the stage
3:30pm – Baby Goat Race #2
4:30pm – Adult Goat Race #2
5:15pm – The Bang Bangs take the stage
5:30pm – Baby Goat Winner Race
6:30pm – Adult Goat Winner Race
7pm – Festival Ends, Official After Party is at Against The Grain on Main Street
Goat Yoga Information:
There are still two opportunities left to experience goat yoga before the Bock Fest. Taught by Elizabeth “Izzy” Nalley, an experienced registered yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of yoga instruction and Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach.
March 22nd at 6PM at 732 E. Market Street (Green Building Parking Lot) After party with goats at Garage Bar.
March 24th at 8AM at 732 E. Market Street (Green Building Parking Lot)
To purchase tickets – https://squareup.com/store/sunny-acres-farm/
