Hurricane Ike Aftermath Prompts Two-Stage Release of Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 7
Houston to Get Shipments on September 30th; Rest of Texas to Receive Supply on September 23rd
HOUSTON, September 22, 2008 - Just days after resuming operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike, Saint Arnold Brewing Company (www.saintarnold.com) is moving forward with the release of the latest edition of Saint Arnold Divine Reserve. Saint Arnold, the oldest craft brewery in Texas, plans a two-stage roll-out. The Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio markets will get their shipments on September 23rd; it will hit shelves in Houston on September 30th.
Saint Arnold Brewing received only minor damage from Hurricane Ike but production was halted due to a loss of electricity to its Northwest Houston brewery. Production resumed on Thursday, September 18th.
"Everybody in the Greater Houston area had their lives disrupted this past week and many suffered significant damage to their homes and belongings," said Brock Wagner, founder/brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing. "During this, we received a constant stream of calls and e-mails making sure that Saint Arnold was okay and that people would still be able to get their beer. This made us realize how important the small things can become and prompted us to redouble our efforts to get the brewery back up and operating. We are hoping that Divine Reserve No. 7 gives craft beer lovers in Houston and elsewhere an excuse to reward themselves and reflect on the progress being made."
Like its predecessors in the Divine Reserve series of single batch beers, Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 7 is expected to sell out quickly. It is a dark, slightly chocolaty weizenbock with an undercurrent of bananas and cloves. There is a slight spiciness from the hops and a balanced malt that hides the strength of the beer.
The recipe for Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 7 is based on the winner of this year's Big Batch Brew Bash. The winner, Austin homebrewer Kerry Martin, came to the brewery earlier in the summer to help brew the beer. It has been entered in the Pro-Am category of the 2008 Great American Beer Festival.
Saint Arnold Brewing produced fewer than 1,245 cases and a very limited supply of kegs of Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 7. It will arrive at select stores in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth on September 23rd. Houston stores will get it on September 30th. Each six pack is priced at approximately $16.
With a high alcohol by volume content of 8.4 percent, Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 7 is best enjoyed in small quantities at 45°F or warmer. It has an original gravity of 1.075 and final gravity of 1.019. More information on Divine Reserve No. 7 can be found at http://saintarnold.com/beers/divine.html.
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing's ten brews are made and sold by the company's staff of 21 dedicated employees. The brewery was listed by USA Today as one of the "10 great places to see what's brewing in beer." It is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive and its brewery tour and tasting is offered every Saturday at 1:00 P.M. For more information on Saint Arnold's five year-round and five seasonal beers as well as root beer, log on to www.saintarnold.com.