Bierhaus Maisschäler in Lincoln is bringing its annual winter BockFest celebration back to the Haymarket this weekend, inviting attendees to embrace the cold with live music, local brews and German fare.
Cody Schmick, co-owner of Bierhaus, tells KLIN News the event serves as a midwinter counterpart to Oktoberfest.
“BockFest is kind of a six-months-to-Oktoberfest celebration,” Schmick said. “We’re doing an outdoor festival in the winter, so we’re really embracing the weather this time of year.”
The outdoor festival begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, and runs until 6 p.m. outside of Bierhaus on “P” Street between 7th and 8th Streets in the Haymarket. Polka music will kick off the event, followed by additional live bands throughout the afternoon. Organizers will also set up a large screen for attendees to watch a 1 p.m. basketball game while remaining at the festival.
A central feature of the event is Bierhaus’ seasonal “Goat Bock,” a darker winter-style beer released specifically for the celebration. Attendees can also participate in “beer poking,” where a heated iron is briefly plunged into the beer to caramelize sugars and create a smoky, marshmallow-like flavor.
“That whole fest is built around that bock beer and that poking of the beer,” Schmick said.
The event will also feature German-style food, including brats and pretzels, along with festival games such as hammerschlagen and stein-holding competitions.
Admission is $10. Tickets and beer tokens can be purchased in advance online at bierhausne.com. Advance admission includes one (1) beer token. Schmick said pre-purchasing may help attendees avoid peak crowds, particularly after the basketball game concludes.
The event has drawn large crowds despite dispirit temperatures, as many as 2,500 attendees in past years.
“We encourage people to dress warm,” Schmick said. “We’ll have heaters and fires out there, but plan to be outside and enjoy it.”