SAINT ARNOLD BREWING COMPANY LIFTS A MUG TO INVENTOR OF ROOT BEER FLOAT
HOUSTON, August 18, 2004 - Saint Arnold Brewing Company, the oldest microbrewery in Texas, and Marble Slab Creamery, which specializes in superpremium, handmade ice cream, will celebrate the anniversary of the first root beer float by hosting a root beer float party for the Child and Adolescent Center at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The party for young cancer patients and their family members is scheduled for noon, Thursday, August 19, 2004.
Introduced in 2002, Saint Arnold Root Beer is packaged in candy-striped bottles, sealed with a gold cap flaunting its “yummy” contents and, of course, is non-alcoholic.
The roots of the root beer float stretch back to August 19, 1893, when Frank Wisner of the Cripple Creek Brewing Company in Cripple Creek, Colo., glanced at snow-capped Cow Mountain on a moon-lit evening. What he saw resembled a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating on top of the black mountain. The vision inspired Wisner to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to his locally brewed root beer, whichA he dubbed a “Black Cow Mountain.”
The name was later shortened to black cow, which is also known as a root beer float.
“Saint Arnold is proud to be keeping the tradition of locally brewed and exceptionally good tasting root beer alive in Texas,” said Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing Company. “As with our selection of beers, Saint Arnold Root Beer puts a premium on high quality ingredients and freshness.”
Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s root beer recipe is distinct from others in that it is sweetened with pure cane sugar from Imperial Sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup.
Saint Arnold originally introduced Saint Arnold Root Beer only for visitors to the brewery''s free Saturday tours so children and non-drinkers alike would feel welcome. Wagner says the Root Beer reflects the family atmosphere of the Houston-based brewing company he founded 10 years ago, which now is the oldest microbrewery in Texas. Almost immediately upon offering it, people were asking us where they could buy some.
"We tinkered with the recipe until we were as proud of the root beer as we are of our other brews," said Wagner. "The end result has met with rave reviews from all of our customers.”
The Saint Arnold Root Beer Float Party is scheduled for noon, August 19 in the Pedi-Dome in the George Foreman Pediatric Unit at M. D. Anderson.*
Saint Arnold Root Beer is available at Saint Arnold Brewing Company 2522 Fairway Park Drive in Houston. It is also available at Central Market, select Randall''s stores and an expanding number of Kroger stores. Restaurant patrons can also find it at Goode Company Barbecue on Kirby and numerous other restaurants.
About Marble Slab Creamery
Marble Slab Creamery, Inc., a privately-held Houston-based franchiser of gourmet ice cream stores best known for their superpremium, homemade ice cream and the innovation of the frozen slab concept, is comprised of 402 stores open and under development in more than 218 cities. Marble Slab Creamery has stores in a total of 28 states, as well as five stores in Canada. The company has stepped up its growth in recent years and expects to reach its goal of 500 stores by 2005, and 1,000 stores by 2008.
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s ten brews are made and sold by the company''s staff of 11 dedicated employees. The brewery is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive and its free 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 http://www.saintarnold.com.
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*Parking: Self parking is available at TMC Garage #2 adjacent to the Alkek Hospital at M. D. Anderson or valet parking is available at the entrance to the Alkek Hospital. Please bring your receipts for validation. A representative from the communications office will meet you inside the entrance to the Alkek Hospital and escort you to the 9th floor for the party.