Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Brewing Up 17th Anniversary Celebration
Features Saint Arnold Olympians Competing in Series of Beer-Related Events
HOUSTON, June 8, 2011 – This weekend marks the 17th anniversary of the delivery of the first keg of beer by Saint Arnold Brewing Company (www.saintarnold.com). The Houston brewery, now the oldest craft brewery in Texas, has come a long way from its humble beginnings when its only beer was Saint Arnold Amber Ale. While Saint Arnold has emerged as a force in America’s red hot craft brewing industry, its mission remains the same: to brew the best beer in Texas and create an institution that makes Houston proud.
Saint Arnold Amber Ale, Founder/Brewer Brock Wagner and the enthusiastic community of craft beer lovers also remain the same – although that community now includes the rest of Texas and Louisiana. It's a long way from the admittedly naive investment banker-turned-brewmaster who founded the company with a fellow Rice University Alumnus in 1994.
“We were aware that craft brewing was taking off in other parts of the U.S., but in Texas, unfriendly laws and deeply entrenched beer tastes stacked the deck against a successful craft brewery, but we persevered and here we are,” said Wagner. “What buoyed us then is what sustains us today – a special connection with people who appreciate a small business that brews fresh, full-flavored beer.”
The past year has been busy at the brewery. Saint Arnold recently rolled out Saint Arnold Weedwacker, the brewery’s first new year-round beer since the 2004 launch of Saint Arnold Elissa IPA. Although still early, reports from the field indicate Weedwacker has been greeted by strong demand. During its 17th year Saint Arnold also introduced the Moveable Yeast series that calls attention to the flavor impact of yeast on beer, extended on the success of its highly touted Saint Arnold Divine Reserve series and won three medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
Saint Arnold also is proud to support charities and nonprofit organizations. The Saint Arnold bike Team, raised more than $250,000 at the 2011 MS 150, and last week, the brewery presented an $8,000 donation from the sale of Saint Arnold Elissa IPA to the Galveston Historical Foundation to support the maintenance of the tall ship ELISSA, the beer’s namesake. Since the introduction of Elissa IPA, Saint Arnold has donated a total of $30,000 for the upkeep of the ship.
Saint Arnold Brewing will say “thanks” to its legion of passionate supporters with a 17th anniversary celebration at the brewery starting at Noon, Sunday June 12th. Admission is $36, which includes a barbeque dinner, a commemorative pint glass and the Saint Arnold Olympics. This year’s competition pits eight teams competing in the Keg Roll, Elevated Beer Pour and the Beer Token Trick Shot Contest.
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing's ten brews are made and sold by the company’s staff of 29 dedicated employees. The brewery was listed by USA Today as one of the “10 great places to see what’s brewing in beer,” and Smart Meetings magazine named it among the “Top 5 breweries to host an event.” Saint Arnold is located at 2000 Lyons Avenue and its brewery tour and tasting is offered every weekday at 3:00 P.M. and Saturdays starting at 11 A.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.