Events

Every spring, the Sacramento Turn Verein—and thousands of local beer lovers—gather to celebrate the arrival of Bockbier, a traditional Bavarian beer that is dark in color and relatively high in alcohol content. This single-day event includes:

• German music by the Sacramento Turner Harmonie
• Bavarian folk dancing
• Traditional German food
• Biergarten

We invite you to join us at this lively event, where Bockbier flows like the Sacramento River and German heritage is alive and thriving!

History
According to some records, Bockbiers date back as far as the mid-1200s in Germany—and although their name came from the Hanseatic league town of Einbeck (where the beer was first brewed), a myth says it was derived from the German word for “goat,” which is also “bock.”

By 1380, there were 600 breweries in Einbeck producing Bockbier. Later it was exported to Munich and then all over Europe. With the large demand for Bockbier in Munich, the Einbeck brewmeister was brought to Munich with no chance of returning to Einbeck.

• Bockbiers generally has a malty character with a caramel and roasted flavor that finishes slightly sweet and come in many styles:
• Dunkelsbock: traditional dark bock
• Hellesbock: pale beer that is light in color with a dry finish, almost like a pilsner
• Maibock: somewhat darker bock that has a definite hops taste
• Weizenbock: wheat beer brewed to the strength of a Bockbier
• Doppelbock: double bock with a slightly sweet finish

All Bockbiers fall under the Reinheitsgebot, the German purity law established in 1516 by Dukes Willhelm IV and Ludwig X of Bavaria. This law established that beer may be made of only water, malt, and hops. Little was known of yeast back then, so it was not included in the regulations.

Click here for more information on our Oktoberfest.

Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:

• Authentic German Beer on Tap, wine, and German food
• Outdoor Biergarten
• Live music from three different bands
• Kid-friendly activities
• German music and dancers

Every year, revelers come to the Turn Verein to eat, drink, and dance like a tried-and-true German. It’s like a piece of Munich, right in Sacramento!

History

Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria (the grandfather of “Mad” King Ludwig II) started this historic tradition when he married Princess Theresia of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Ludwig gave an open wedding invitation to the people of Munich—and about 40,000 of them came. The Prince set up tents in a field on the outskirts of Munich, later called ‘Theresienwiese’ (Theresa’s Meadow), in honor of his lady. To entertain the crowd, he organized a horse race and supplied copious amounts of beer. Everyone had such a good time that they decided to hold the horse race (and beer drinking) again the next year, but this time in conjunction with the state agricultural show. The local brewers realized that they could sell a lot of beer in a very short time, which is the reason why it has become a 16-day extravaganza ending the first Sunday in October. The rest, as they say, is history.

Click here for more information on our Oktoberfest.

Sacramento’s best and biggest annual Oktoberfest celebration, this famous festival occurs every October and includes:

• Authentic German Beer on Tap, wine, and German food
• Outdoor Biergarten
• Live music from three different bands
• Kid-friendly activities
• German music and dancers

Every year, revelers come to the Turn Verein to eat, drink, and dance like a tried-and-true German. It’s like a piece of Munich, right in Sacramento!

History

Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria (the grandfather of “Mad” King Ludwig II) started this historic tradition when he married Princess Theresia of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Ludwig gave an open wedding invitation to the people of Munich—and about 40,000 of them came. The Prince set up tents in a field on the outskirts of Munich, later called ‘Theresienwiese’ (Theresa’s Meadow), in honor of his lady. To entertain the crowd, he organized a horse race and supplied copious amounts of beer. Everyone had such a good time that they decided to hold the horse race (and beer drinking) again the next year, but this time in conjunction with the state agricultural show. The local brewers realized that they could sell a lot of beer in a very short time, which is the reason why it has become a 16-day extravaganza ending the first Sunday in October. The rest, as they say, is history.