GOATFEST is hosted each spring by Varietal Beer Company in Sunnyside, Washington. They’ve done it for several years now. Tickets are on sale here. The festival celebrates the season with Bock-style beers from select Northwest breweries. This year they added Helles-style lagers to the mix too, so there are some lighter-bodied beers for your enjoyment alongside the strong and bold Bocks. The event happens this Saturday, May 11th at Varietal Beer’s location in Sunnyside. (416 E Edison Ave, Sunnyside, WA 98944.)
Spring. Why goats? Why bock?
Historically, dating back to the 14th century, German brewers produced Maibock to celebrate the coming of spring. According to legend, this style was first brewed by monks in the German town of Einbeck. Back in the day, beer styles were often named after, or associated with, the places where they were created. Dortmunder originated in Dortmund, the original Pilsner came from the Bohemian city of Plzeň, and so on.
When the Maibock style was introduced to a larger audience away from Einbeck, in places like Munich, the town’s name was often mispronounced as “ein bock,” which loosely means billygoat. The connection between maibock and goats, based on nothing more than a mispronunciation, has existed for centuries. Bock beers and especially Maibock beers often sport labels and artwork involving goats. And thus, GOATFEST.
Another theory involves the relationship between goats and fertility. A beer brewed for the spring. Spring is the most fertile time of year. Goats are notoriously fertile. Wait. What? Bunny rabbits maybe, but goats? The whole mispronunciation thing seems more plausible.
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GOATFEST
“GOATFEST is back for 2024, with a different theme: HELLES. That’s right, we’re mixing it up this year so along with bock, maibock & hellerbocks, attendees will enjoy the delicious golden Helles lager style we love. This means more lighter beer options will be available this year!”
A delicious local food truck/catering company will supply the food. Triple C’s will serve a special menu to keep Goatfesters happy and fed.
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The line-up of breweries providing beer for GOATFEST 2024 includes:
- Ladd and Lass Brewing
- Bizarre Brewing
- Lucky Envelope Brewing
- Headless Mumby Brewing
- Holy Mountain Brewing
- Whistlepunk Brewing
- Lowercase Brewing
- Urban Family Brewing
- and more! (secrets!)
“This year we have partnered with Nuestra Casa, a non-profit organization providing support, education & citizenship assistance to adult immigrants in the Yakima Valley. Through education, advocacy and mutual support, Nuestra Casa empowers immigrants to create positive changes, enriching themselves, their families and their communities.”
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Well-behaved children and dogs on leashes are welcome with ticketholders. The Varietal taproom will be closed to the public, however tickets will be available to purchase at the door. All tickets are for 21+ attendees. No ticket is required for designated drivers, so long as they accompany a ticketholder.
Visit our Events page to learn about other beer-related events.
