Bock hunters seek end of winter

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Despite not-so-favorable weather conditions Saturday, many die-hard Bock Fest lovers found their way back this year to the 14th Annual August Schell Brewing Company's Bock Fest.

According to Bock Fest officials, by 12:30 p.m. approximately 1,000 had entered the fest's gates. The event began at 11 a.m. and lasted until 4:30 p.m.

"We've had lots of Bock Fests with good weather," said Ted Marti, owner of August Schell Brewing Company, "It had been 10 and 15 below zero ... and it's better than that today."

Marti said the event began 14 years ago with about 70 people celebrating in the tap room at the brewery.

"It's grown from there," said Marti, "It's a great event ... a fun event. It's a chase away the winter blues event. We don't try to make it something more than it is... that's what people like about it. You have to create your own fun out here."

Last year, temperatures reached about 65 degrees, which drew thousands of people to the event.

"It's cool, we've been coming here a few years now," said Dave Snidarich of Maple Grove, who drove about 120 miles to reach the fest.

Jodi Marti, wife of Ted Marti said, "It's actually really nice out here. It started out a little slow. We've had a lot of phone calls from all over --people calling to see if it was still on -- all last night and today. The biggest problem was the ice potential, but it turned out all right."

People expect to be outdoors for the event and they could handle the weather conditions if they would dress appropriately, said Jodi.

"People are going on the Bock Hunt (Bocks of winter hidden in the woods on the August Schell Brewing Company)," said Jodi.

At 1:30 p.m. no one had found any of the Bocks yet, according to Ted Marti.

"I hope they find some," said Ted, "We hid them near the trails this year."

People enjoyed bonfires throughout the fest grounds, musical entertainment, food (sausages, soup, cheese and breadsticks), history and tasting sessions and a museum/gift show and, of course, the seasonal "Bock" beer with a "poke" from the bonfire rod.

"It's not as big as last year, but still just as much fun," said Ben Malloy, of LeSueur, "The best thing is the atmosphere here. It's an alcohol-related event, but it's a lot different than a bar."

This year was Malloy's third year coming to Bock Fest, he said.

"It's wet, but it's nice," said newcomer to the event, Jennifer Gustafson, of Hutchinson, "I didn't know what to expect. I just knew it would be held outside and that there would be beer here. I'll be back next year."