Who knew that the goat was the official harbinger of Spring?? Not me.. that's for sure. And, why does the goat symbolize spring, you ask? Well, its because of BEER! Bock Beer to be exact!
Confused yet? No worries, I'm good at that ;) But hopefully a little history can clear it all up!
Beer happens to be one of my favorite subjects so, naturally, if its time for me to do some research in old historical newspapers I tend to gravitate to the topic. And, of course - with me - one thing leads to another... and hence the
Beer = Goat = Spring connection is born (more accurately, reborn)!
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Times Picayune, February 3, 1969
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I've always known that certain seasons of the year have connections to different types of beer... Pilsner is a wonderful, light, refreshing drink for a sunny, summer afternoon where a Porter would just not do! BUT, in front a crackling fire, on a snowy chilly night, a Porter could really warm a person's body!
So, as it turns out, Bock has its time of year too - Spring. While its history is a bit obscure and convoluted - and, hey, even colorful (it IS beer after all), a common accepted notion is that after months of cold weather fermenting, Bock beer was finally tapped in the spring.
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| Columbian Register, May 4, 1872 |
The connection to the Goat - Bock DOES mean Goat in German - isn't quite so clear. Some say the connection lies with sawhorses the kegs were placed on for tapping, others trace the linguistic connection to Einbeck, Germany and believe Bock was simply a mispronunciation... but, personally, I prefer a little whimsy, so I'll stick with a story of two men, who in the midst of a drinking contest come head to head with a wild goat - literally. The man who landed on the ground insisted it was because of the goat and NOT the strength of the beer... but he lost anyways :)
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| New Haven Register, February 19, 1897 |
Whatever you choose to believe - Keep an Eye out for the Goat! And
Happy Spring!
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| Trenton Evening Times, March 13, 1939 |
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