Let’s talk about bock beer, the unsung hero of our local taproom and the reason German monks survived Lent without starving. At Little Miami Brewing Company, we’ve been geeking out over this malty marvel since our first batch, and if you haven’t fallen for bock yet, 2025 is your year.

The Goat in Your Glass

Yes, “bock” means ‘goat’ in German. No, it doesn’t taste like farm animals. The name comes from either:

• A mispronunciation of Einbeck (the OG bock town)
• The goat imagery Bavarians slapped on labels to show it packed a kick

Our take? It’s the beer equivalent of a bear hug—warm, malty, and strong enough to warm up an Ohio winter.

Cincinnati’s Love Affair with Liquid Bread

We’re not the only best brewery in Cincinnati obsessing over bock. This city’s German roots run deeper than a traditional German beer stein:

From Pre-Prohibition days to today’s craft beer revival, Cincinnati keeps the bock tradition alive with fresh creativity and heart.

Bock Isn’t Just for Beer Nerds

Think all dark beers taste the same? Our bock beer styles will surprise you:

• Reverberator Doppelbock (8.5% ABV): Caramelized dates and toasted bread crusts
• Don’t Feed the Hippies (7.8% ABV): Our bold, golden take on Helles Bock

“Like drinking a campfire in the best way” – a real customer review we’ll never forget.”

What is Bock Beer, Exactly?

The Liquid Bread of Legends

Let’s settle this once and for all—bock beer isn’t just “strong dark stuff.” Bavarian monks brewed it too fast during Lent (call it medieval meal prep). At Little Miami Brewing Company, we honor that history while giving it an Ohio twist.

Bock’s DNA: Malt, Mastery & a Touch of Magic

• Style: Strong lager, cold-fermented for that clean finish
• ABV Range: 6–12%
• Flavors: Toasted Munich malt, caramel/nutty sweetness, low hop bitterness

Fun Fact: That deep amber hue? Comes from “Maillard reactions” (same science that browns your morning toast).

The Name Game

Why “bock”? Theories include:

• Short for “Einbeck”
• Goat imagery (because it “kicks like a goat”)
• Capricorn zodiac symbol

Our Take: The goat makes for better merch.

Traditional vs. Ohio-Brewed

Why This Matters for Cincinnati Drinkers

1. Local Grains: We put local love into every pour, from malt to mash tun.
2. Drinkable Strength: Unlike some barrel-aged monsters, our Don’t Feed the Hippies (7.8%) won’t knock you out after one pint
3. Food-Friendly: Pairs perfectly with our Holy Smoke Pulled Pork pizza 

The Many Faces of Bock: A Style Breakdown

We geek out over bock beer styles like historians over rare artifacts. Each variation tells a story of survival, seasons, and serious malt mastery. Here’s your guide to this legendary family:

Traditional Bock: The Original Malt Bomb

Monks in Bavaria needed something hearty to survive the winter, so they invented liquid bread.

The Details:

• Amber, toasty, 6-7% ABV
• Smooth, malt-driven, and meant for slow sipping

Doppelbock: The Big, Bad Brother

Twice the malt, twice the flavor, and twice the hangover if you’re not careful.

The Details:

• Rich, bold, and dangerously smooth
• Flavors range from molasses to roasted nuts
• 7-12% ABV (this ain’t your grandpa’s lager)

The best doppelbocks balance massive malt flavor with drinkability. A good one should make you say “damn” after every sip.

Maibock: Spring’s Golden Child

When the snow finally melts, this golden beauty starts showing up on taps.

The Details:

• Crisp, golden, 6-7% ABV with more hop zing
• Perfect for first patio drinking and malty enough to satisfy

Cincinnati Connection: Perfect with a plate of goetta or the famous mettwurst. The malt cuts through the fat like a hot knife.

Eisbock: The Winter Miracle

German brewers discovered that if you freeze beer and remove the ice, you get something magical.

What To Expect:

• Brewed by freezing, concentrated to 12%+ ABV
• Intense notes of dark fruit and chocolate

Local Wisdom: Best enjoyed by a fire when the wind’s coming off the river. One and done.

Weizenbock: The Wildcard

What happens when Bock and Hefeweizen have a baby? Pure deliciousness.

Standout Features:

• Wheat-based with banana-clove yeast notes
• Still carries that bock malt backbone

Why Do We Brew Bock at Little Miami?

Brewing bock beer isn’t just about following a recipe – it’s about creating something that feels right in our taproom. The kind of beer that makes our regulars nod approvingly when they take that first sip. Here’s why we put so much heart into these brews:

Made for Our Kitchen

We test every Bock batch with our kitchen team before releasing it. There’s an art to matching beer with food, and we’ve spent years perfecting these combinations:

• Pretzels + beer cheese = Traditional Bock perfection with caramel notes
• Holy Smoke Pulled Pork Pizza + Doppelbock = a whole new level
• Crock of Chili + Weizenbock = cozy in a bowl

Brewed for Cincinnati Seasons

Bock beer naturally fits how we live here:

• Winter: Our doppelbock warms you up for fireside sipping
• Spring: The maibock’s crispness pairs perfectly with sunny riverfront patios
• Fall: Traditional Bock matches that back-to-school energy when the air gets crisp

We time our releases so there’s always a Bock that fits both the weather and what’s cooking in our kitchen.

Take a look at our seasonal brews.

Crafted for Sharing

More than any other style, Bock brings people together in our taproom:

• Groups sharing pitchers with our giant pretzel platter
• Regulars debating which bock pairs best with our beer cheese soup
• First-time visitors getting that “aha” moment when they try bock with our signature sausage board

Missing Out? No worries. Take a virtual tour of our taproom.

Bock Beer in the Broader Cincinnati Scene

We didn’t invent bock beer in Cincinnati, but damn if we haven’t made it our own. Walk into our taproom during Bockfest season, and you’ll feel that centuries-old tradition come alive – the malty aroma in the air, the steins clinking, the sound of someone inevitably saying “this tastes like liquid bread” for the hundredth time.

Why Bock Belongs Here

Our city’s brewing roots run deep:

• Pre-Prohibition, almost every Over-the-Rhine brewery had a Bock in their lineup
• The annual Bockfest parade still marches past old lagering cellars
• Even our water’s mineral profile happens to be perfect for malty lagers

The Modern Revival

At Little Miami Brewing, we’re proud to respect this style by:

• Using local Ohio-grown grain in all our bocks
• Keeping traditional cold-fermentation methods

We keep Bock alive because it’s delicious, it connects us to Cincinnati’s history, and our regulars keep asking for more.

Bock with Food

• Classic Pairings: Sausages, smoked meats, chocolate desserts
• At LMBC: Pretzel, BBQ Pizza, and that legendary beer cheese soup

We make bock because it brings people together. And when someone says, “Tastes like memory,” we know we got it right.

Planning a Bock-Inspired Brewery Day

Grab a flight, try a few styles, and stay for a slice and sunset.

• Visit LMBC for river views, live music, and a full food menu
• Make us a stop on your Cincinnati craft beer crawl
• We host plenty of events, ranging from live music to fun activities to engage everyone.

Your Next Step: Right now, we’re pouring:

• Reverberator Doppelbock (rich, toasty, perfect with our delicious pizzas)
• Don’t Feed the Hippies (spring in a glass, pairs with pretzel bites)
• Brennerator (only a few kegs left – ask your bartender)

There’s no wrong way to do a bock tasting; just show up and explore.

Bock Isn’t Just Beer – It’s Cincinnati in a Stein

After all these years, one sip of proper bock can still take us places. Maybe to a 19th-century Over-the-Rhine cellar. Maybe to your grandpa’s favorite corner bar. Or maybe just to our riverside patio on a perfect spring evening.

At Little Miami Brewing Company, we honor that legacy every time we:

• Mill Ohio-grown malt for our next batch
• Watch steam rise from the mash tun on a cold brew day
• Hear someone say, “I didn’t know beer could taste like this.”

We don’t make Bock because it’s easy. We make it because every time we tap a new batch, we see strangers become friends over shared steins. That’s the real magic.

Open daily at 208 Mill Street, Milford, Ohio 45150, whether you’re a beer nerd or just curious, a Bock is awaiting you at Little Miami Brewing Company!