The Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race is held on the first Sunday of May every year, rain or shine. It has become one of the Philadelphia region’s favorite beer-focused celebrations, drawing crowds estimated in the 2,500 to 3,000 range to the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Phoenixville in recent years.
A German menu is offered to complement what might be the largest offering of bock-style beers by any brewery in the United States at one time. Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly and his crew produce a mouth-watering lineup: Slacker Bock, Helles Bock, Instigator Doppelbock, two Eisbocks (usually Slacker and Instigator) and a Maibock. The day marks the release of the Maibock which is tapped immediately after the race and named in honor of the winner.
The festival takes place in front of the pub with a huge tent helping provide shade on what is usually a perfect spring day. The running of the ruminants is held from the rear of the building in which the pub sits down along a roadway to a finish line near the back of festival area, in front of a grassy hillside where early arrivals have staked out their place. Afterwards, some of the goats and their owners mingle with the crowd, delighting the many children in attendance with their families.
The event starts at 11am with parking available at the Kimberton Fairgrounds. Shuttles will run from 11am-5pm.
For more information and to register your goat, visit http://slyfoxbeer.com/index.php/front/bockfest.
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