Bock Fest 2013 – Beer, Babes, Bacon, Burlesque!

When you consider the people behind a beer fest, what type of people come to mind? Do you picture tough men drinking nonstop? Do you envision Irishmen drinking all day at the pub? Perhaps you think of Germans celebrating Oktoberfest. Contrary to what many believe, certain nationalities do not need a holiday or occasion to drink. Who said the Irish clamor over St. Patrick’s Day? Who believes Germans only drink prior to Oktoberfest? Each nation delivers more than the stereotypical beer that people know them for. Take the Germans for example – what else do they drink other than Oktoberfest beers? Have you heard of Bocks? This winter equivalent of the Oktoberfest brew deserves more attention than they currently do not receive. Luckily, Southern California holds an annual beer fest celebrating the wonderful world of Bock beers, and holding true to its location, Bock Fest brings more than just the beer – it brings on the bacon and the burlesque babes.

Taking place at the Arena Nightclub in Hollywood, the 2013 Bock Fest holds true to its roots as the beer fest that celebrates the lesser-known of German beers. Similar in style to Oktoberfest brews, Bocks appear darker and taste bolder, but can range from the paleness of a pilsner to the darkness of a stout. Although this fest focuses on Bocks and other German beers, many other microbreweries served their amazing craft beers as well. Popular breweries such as Lagunitas, Hangar 24, and Fireman’s Brew made an appearance, while the latter actually took home the People’s Choice award for Bock Fest. Rotating live music, a handful of food vendors (including a food truck right outside), wines & spirits upstairs, fortune telling, cigar rolling, and more kept all guests occupied as they guzzled their brews.

Speaking of upstairs, remember my post(s) about Sugar Lounge a month ago? It made a return to Bock Fest, this time as an open lounge to all guests. Just like last time, Sugar Lounge featured a live DJ the entire time, full bar, more beer, and not one, but TWO sexy burlesque shows by the Dirty Little Secrets. As anyone can imagine, this area filled up fast, and remained full for the entire duration of the fest.

Missed Bock Fest? Want to go to another beer fest just like it? I heard they plan to host a St. Patrick’s Fest. I currently have no details about such a fest, but perhaps I shall soon. For the latest in beer fests in Southern California, follow my blog for my weekly events post!

Upcoming Events: January 21-27, 2013

Newport Beach Restaurant Week
Now through January 27
Participating restaurants in Newport Beach
http://www.newportbeachdining.com/newport-beach-restaurant-week/default.aspx

This 10-day period of restaurant specials takes place at participating restaurants in Newport Beach. Many restaurants will serve special prix-fixe three-course meals ranging from as low as $10 to as high as $40, or more for a few select locations.

Downtown Long Beach Cheese Week
Now through January 27
Participating restaurants in Downtown Long Beach
http://downtownlongbeach.org/Latest-News-Detail/Cheese-Week?id=37335

Cheese lovers will want to check out Downtown Long Beach this week, as over a dozen restaurants will serve special cheese courses/plates.

2013 OC Music Awards Showcase Series Night 3
7:30 pm – 11:30 pm, January 22
Slidebar, Fullerton
http://www.facebook.com/events/373448449406782/

This free and all-ages show will feature some of the nominated musicians for the OC Music Awards. Each night features five different local artists performing and competing for the title of Best Live Band awarded at the OC Music Awards in March. This series of free shows occurs every Tuesday night all the way through the finals on February 26.

Downtown Sounds
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, January 23
Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/459669174097371/

This FREE and ALL-AGES event takes place on Center Street in Downtown Anaheim. Over a dozen local bands will play their music, while Noble Ale Works and Anaheim Brewery will host beer tents to serve guests.

Quicksand & Title Fight @ The Glass House
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, January 23
The Glass House, Pomona
http://www.theglasshouse.us/event/198227-quicksand-pomona/

Post-hardcore band Quicksand has reunited for a tour, which stops at the Glass House this Saturday with special guest Title Fight. Tickets to this all-ages show cost $27.

Curry & IPA Night
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, January 24
Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/529630953721970/

Following the footsteps of their Meatloaf night, Beachwood BBQ has planned a night featuring curry as the main course. They will serve four different curry dishes, each with its own IPA pairing. Customers can order a dish by itself or all four as a flight.

La Pobreska, 8 Kalakas, South Central Skankers, Amenaza and Rejected Allies @ House of Blues Sunset
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, January 24
House of Blues, Hollywood
http://www.houseofblues.com/tickets/eventdetail.php?eventid=79001

Looking for a good ska show this week? Presale tickets to this 18 & up show cost $14.50 presale and $17 at the door.

Red Velvet Fest
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, January 25-27
Essential Chocolate Desserts, Culver City
http://www.facebook.com/events/487597237958978/

Love red velvet? Head to Essential Chocolate Desserts in Culver City this weekend and experience red velvet desserts galore. Prices vary between products, but expect everything to contain red velvet!

Good Earth Do Good Bus
9:00 am – 2:00 pm, January 26
Culver City Metro Parking Lot
http://dogoodbus.com/

Ride on this bus and travel around to do good work for the local community. This monthly bus ride will focus on helping the earth. The $25 fee covers the bus fee and meals.

Noble Ale Works 2nd Anniversary Celebration
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, January 26
Noble Ale Works, Anaheim
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ce917fe7aca8672ad82a5a919&id=174c244746&e=

Noble Ale Works turns two this weekend, and to celebrate, they will throw a beer fest at their brewery just like last year. For a $30 ticket, attendees can enjoy over 20 different brews, unlimited pours, live music, food trucks, a souvenir glass, and more. No one under 21 may purchase the ticket, but minors may still enter the area for the food trucks or with an attendee.

Eagle Rock Brewery 3rd Anniversary Party
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, January 26
Verdugo Bar, Los Angeles
http://eaglerockbrewery.com/events/3rd-anniversary-party-verdugo-bar

Eagle Rock Brewery turns three this weekend, and to celebrate, the brewery will return to Verdugo Bar to celebrate in style. Guests pay $15 to receive two drinks and a souvenir glass for the tap takeover at Verdugo Bar. In addition to the food at the bar, a handful of food trucks will stop by to serve the masses.

2013 Bock Fest
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, January 26
Arena Nightclub, Hollywood
http://www.bockfest.net/
http://www.facebook.com/events/126843664146418/

A unique beer fest of its kind, this winter fest celebrates the tasty brews of wintertime in a premiere setting. Primarily brewed in cold seasons, bocks originate in Germany, where they love to brew beer full of flavor and alcohol while minimizing the alcoholic taste. These strong lagers appear darker than most beers, ranging from pale yellow like a pilsner to dark brown like a brown ale. Although this fest focuses on bocks and other German beers, many other microbrews will serve their amazing craft beers as well, such as Lagunitas, Fireman’s Brew, Weihenstephan, Affligem, and more. Local food businesses, such as Pink’s Hot Dogs, will serve food to those wanting to eat between or during beers.

For just $25 admission, attendees receive three hours of UNLIMITED beer pours, plus a souvenir glass to take home. Upgrading to the $85 VIP admission allows entry an hour earlier, plus access to the return of Sugar Lounge for more entertainment and drinks. Attending as a group? Buy a Booth package for $500, which comes with 10 VIP passes, a private booth, and a bottle of Patron. Did I mention that Sugar Lounge returns as well?

If you would like to VOLUNTEER at this fest, you will receive free admission, plus food and drinks. Please click the previous link for more details.

The American Wake @ Silky Sullivan’s
9:30 pm – 1:30 am, January 26
Silky Sullivan’s, Fountain Valley
http://www.facebook.com/events/422512217817320/

Come see local Irish rock band The American Wake perform for free this Saturday night, ages 21 and up only.

Volunteers Needed for Bock Fest 2013 – Free Admission for Volunteers

In just over a week, the 2013 Bock Fest arrives at The Arena in Hollywood. A unique beer fest of its kind, this winter fest celebrates the tasty brews of wintertime in a premiere setting. Primarily brewed in cold seasons, bocks originate in Germany, where they love to brew beer full of flavor and alcohol while minimizing the alcoholic taste. These strong lagers appear darker than most beers, ranging from pale yellow like a pilsner to dark brown like a brown ale. Although this fest focuses on bocks and other German beers, many other microbrews will serve their amazing craft beers as well, such as Lagunitas, Fireman’s Brew, Weihenstephan, Affligem, and more. Local food businesses, such as Pink’s Hot Dogs, will serve food to those wanting to eat between or during beers.

For just $25 admission, attendees receive three hours of UNLIMITED beer pours, plus a souvenir glass to take home. Upgrading to the $85 VIP admission allows entry an hour earlier, plus access to the return of Sugar Lounge for more entertainment and drinks. Attending as a group? Buy a Booth package for $500, which comes with 10 VIP passes, a private booth, and a bottle of Patron. Did I mention that Sugar Lounge returns as well?

Perhaps you seek some additional forms of entertainment to enjoy with your beer. Bock Fest provides that in the form of Sugar Lounge, an adult playground where your inner child meets the grown you. VIP attendees receive access to this seductive lounge complete with more beer, wine, spirits, ice luge, treats, sexy ladies, and more. Who could resist a burlesque show from the Dirty Little Secrets? Your heart will melt as you keep your eyes on the sultry moves of these ladies with no urge to turn away.

Itching to attend Bock Fest? Tickets sell out fast every year. If you want to drink productively while saving some money, Bock Fest needs volunteers. Volunteers should work at least three hours between 12pm-6pm, either to help set up, work the fest, or clean up. Volunteer duties include:

• Assist booths with bottles: opening bottles, putting empty bottles back in boxes, helping pour beers, etc
• Removing boxes of bottles: taking boxes of bottles to the back area (I will show where they go), bringing empty boxes back to booths
• Transporting ice: bringing bags of ice to booths, emptying water buckets
• Assist servers with pouring drinks: I recommend bar experience for this
• Guest service: answering questions guests may have
• Fulfillment: generally assisting staff with their needs

In exchange for working, volunteers enter the fest for free, and receive one meal & unlimited drinks during breaks or downtime. The club runs the parking lot, so unfortunately you still would have to pay for parking. Located in the center of Hollywood, free street parking rarely exists here. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please leave your contact info in a comment below, or tweet me (fastest way to reach me) at @OnePunkArmy.