Bock Beer: Germany’s Strong Lager Explained

German name

Bockbier

Alcohol

6–8%+ (Doppelbock 7–8.5%) ABV

Colour

Golden (Maibock) to dark brown (Doppelbock)

Fermentation

Bottom-fermented (lager)

Origin

Einbeck, Lower Saxony; perfected in Munich

Glass

Stemmed tulip glass or stein

Serve at

8–12 °C

Bock is Germany’s strong lager: rich, malty and warming. It ranges from golden, hoppy Maibock to dark, almost syrupy Doppelbock. In Australia it is the German beer to reach for on a cold winter night.

Where does Bock come from?

The style began in Einbeck, a town in northern Germany famous in the Middle Ages for its strong, long-lasting beer. In the 17th century, Munich’s brewers started brewing their own version, and Bavarians turned “Einbeck” into “ein Bock”, which means “a billy goat”. The goat has been on Bock labels ever since.

In Munich, the Paulaner friars brewed an extra-strong beer to sustain them through Lent, calling it “liquid bread”. That beer became Salvator, the first Doppelbock, and today Paulaner still taps it at the Starkbierfest each spring. Other breweries named their Doppelbocks in its honour, ending in “-ator”: Spaten Optimator, Hacker-Pschorr Animator, Augustiner Maximator and Ayinger Celebrator.

Types of Bock

• Helles Bock / Maibock: Golden, malty and a little hoppier. Released in spring. Try Hofbräu Maibock.
• Dunkler Bock: Darker and toastier.
• Doppelbock: Stronger and richer, with dark fruit and caramel. Try Ayinger Celebrator.
• Weizenbock: A strong wheat beer, brewed with wheat beer yeast.
• Eisbock: A Bock concentrated by freezing, the strongest of all.

Under German beer law, a Bock must be brewed with a higher original gravity (at least 16% Stammwürze), and a Doppelbock with at least 18%. That is what makes them stronger.

What does Bock taste like?

• Look: Golden to deep brown, clear
• Aroma: Bread, caramel, toffee and dried fruit
• Taste: Full-bodied and malty-sweet, with a warming alcohol and only modest bitterness
• Finish: Rich and lingering

How to serve Bock

Serve it a little warmer than lager, at 8–12 °C, in a stemmed tulip glass or a stein, and sip it slowly.

Food pairing: Roast pork, game, beef stews, smoked meats, aged cheese and chocolate or fruit desserts.

Bock beer in Australia

Look for Doppelbocks from Ayinger, Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner and Weihenstephaner at larger bottle shops and specialists. Stock is best in the cooler months.

German beer brands that brew Bock Beer

From our top 20 German beer brands in Australia, ranked by how easy they are to find here.

1. 01PaulanerMunich’s best-known exportMunich, Bavaria · since 1634
   Try: Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier NaturtrübEasy to find
2. 03WeihenstephanerThe world’s oldest breweryFreising, Bavaria · since 1040
   Try: Weihenstephaner HefeweissbierEasy to find
3. 06Hofbräu MünchenThe royal brewery behind the HofbräuhausMunich, Bavaria · since 1589
   Try: Hofbräu OriginalEasy to find
4. 12SpatenThe brewery that invented Munich HellesMunich, Bavaria · since 1397
   Try: Spaten Münchner HellIn larger bottle shops
5. 13Hacker-PschorrMunich tradition since 1417Munich, Bavaria · since 1417
   Try: Hacker-Pschorr Münchner GoldIn larger bottle shops
6. 14AugustinerMunich’s cult favouriteMunich, Bavaria · since 1328
   Try: Augustiner Lagerbier HellSpecialist bottle shops
7. 18AyingerFamily-run village brewery near MunichAying, Bavaria · since 1878
   Try: Ayinger Celebrator DoppelbockSpecialist bottle shops

Bock Beer FAQs

Why is there a goat on Bock beer labels?

Bock means billy goat in German. The name actually comes from Einbeck, the town where the style began; Bavarians pronounced “Einbeck” as “ein Bock” (“a billy goat”), and the goat became the style’s mascot.

What is the difference between Bock and Doppelbock?

Doppelbock (“double bock”) is a stronger, richer Bock, usually 7–8.5% ABV. Doppelbocks traditionally have names ending in “-ator”, after the original, Paulaner Salvator.

What is Maibock?

Maibock, or Helles Bock, is a paler, hoppier Bock released in spring, around May. Hofbräu Maibock is one of the best-known examples.

Which Bock beers can I buy in Australia?

Ayinger Celebrator, Paulaner Salvator and Spaten Optimator are the most widely available Doppelbocks in Australia, mostly at larger bottle shops and specialists. Weihenstephaner Korbinian and Hacker-Pschorr Animator also turn up at specialist stores.

← Back to all German beer types · Last updated 2 October 2026.