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.
He explained that the brewery’s name is inspired by the story of Pythagoras and early ideas of musical harmony, where different weights striking together produced distinct tones. The concept, he said, reflects a broader philosophy centered on individuality and not conforming to a single, uniform pattern.
Matthew Buck, restaurant manager at Plattduetsche Park, said the festival has become a staple spring event that continues to grow each year. He noted that attendance has steadily increased as more guests become familiar with the seasonal format and brewery lineup.
“We’re expecting around a thousand people or more. It’s always a strong turnout, especially when the weather is good,” Buck said.
Buck added that the festival originated from smaller beer events hosted years ago before evolving into its current format through a partnership with the New York State Brewers Association. Over time, the timing was also adjusted to better align with spring weather and brewery availability, helping the event expand in both scale and recognition.
Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, said the organization serves as a statewide trade group representing New York’s craft beer industry, which now includes more than 500 breweries.
“This is our presence on Long Island. We work with breweries across the state to showcase New York beer,” Leone said.
Leone said the association organizes festivals across New York as part of its mission to promote local breweries, expand distribution opportunities and introduce smaller upstate producers to downstate markets. He said Plattdeutsche Park was selected for its capacity, layout and long-standing history of hosting large-scale community events.
The Das Bock Festival continues to expand each year, reflecting both the steady growth of New York’s craft beer industry and the rising popularity of seasonal beer festivals that celebrate traditional European brewing styles.
