A crowd of beer enthusiasts filled the grounds of Plattduetsche Park as the Das Bock Festival opened for the afternoon, with festivalgoers moving from vendor to vendor, sampling a variety of beers and settling in to enjoy the German-inspired atmosphere.
The annual festival, held on May 17, is organized in partnership with the New York State Brewers Association and Plattduetsche Park, a longtime regional venue known for hosting cultural festivals, large community gatherings and seasonal celebrations. The event serves as a spring counterpart to Oktoberfest-style festivities, highlighting traditional bock and lager beers tied to Germany’s historic spring brewing traditions.
Chris Cuzme, one of the vendors at the festival and founder of Fifth Hammer Brewing Company, said his brewery was founded about eight years ago with his wife, Mary, who is also a brewer, along with a longtime brewing partner. He said his brewing background dates back more than two decades…