Until 1994, Houston was the largest city in the United States without a microbrewery.  To beer lovers this may seem unbelievable and to some even a sin.  To Bart Wagner and Kevin Bartol, both Houston residents it was unacceptable, so they did something about it.  They founded the St. Arnold Brewing Company which brews ten different craft brews a year, five regular beers and five seasonal beers.

Brock began as a home brewer was determined to open his own microbrewery.  With the help of his friend Kevin, Saint Arnold Brewing Company was founded.  The Saint Arnold Brewing company, with only 17 employees,  prides itself on producing top quality craft beers that are featured in restaurants, bars, liquor stores, grocery stores, and warehouse stores in Texas and in many places in the United States and on being the very first and only microbrewery in Houston, Texas.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company  is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77092.  It is easily accessible from 610 or 290.  Tours of the brewery are available every Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.  Afterwards guest may stay for a free tasting of any of the 10 beers available that week until approximately 3:00.  The entrance fee for the tour is $5.00 and includes a Saint Arnold Brewing Company glass.  The brewery is also available for groups, fundraising and private events. No matter if you are one or a group of ten, get there early, as the line starts forming around 12:00. 

Saint Arnold offers the following brews:   Saint Arnold Amber Ale, Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower, Saint Arnold Brown Ale, Saint Arnold Texas Wheat,  Saint Arnold Elissa IPA, Saint Arnold Spring Bock, Saint Arnold Summer Pils, Saint Arnold Oktoberfest, Saint Arnold Christmas Ale, Saint Arnold Winter Stout, and Saint Arnold Divine Reserve.
on draft, bottle and several of them are available at tours and tastings.  For the non alcoholic taste buds the Saint Arnold Root Beer is great and taste just like the old fashioned root beer.   

When I arrived, about 12:45, the line was long and friendly.  Though I had some doubts that the warehouse type building could hold everyone standing outside, the friendliness of the others in line made the time pass entertainingly.  Many line holders were carrying already purchased Saint Arnold pint glasses, bags of food and snacks, as Saint Arnold also lets you bring your own food.  Others were carrying Saint Arnold Brewing Company 6 or 12 pack cardboard containers.  You can recycle them by turning them into the brewery during a tour – it saves the company money on manufacturer more of the boxes and also helps keep the earth green.  The gentleman I was talking to did it for more selfish reasons, as the brewery has a reward system: 10 carriers: Pint glass, 25 carriers: Pilsner glass, 50 carriers: Mug, 50 carriers: T-shirt (one sided, not the seasonal), 120 carriers: Tie-Dye T-shirt , 100 carriers: Hat, 200 carriers: Hopwaiian shirt.

At 1:00 p.m. sharp, the doors open and everyone starts filing in.  ID’s are checked and underage is permitted with an adult.  For your $5.00 entrance you receive five tokens that are used with your tasting glass to obtain your free samples. You enter one large area with wooden picnic tables, two serving areas and a souvenir section where you may purchase glassware, T-shirts and other Saint Arnold Brewing Company items. 

Everyone is held in the main room for a tour of the brewery. First there is some history and background on Saint Arnold Brewing Company.  Then the tour guide educates the crowd about brewing and the brewing industry.  Next on the “tour” you are given a brief summary of their process and the different brews that they produce.  Patience is a virtue during the tour, as the crowd is large and many of them are “regulars” to the event and ready for fun. 

Next you file though, the serving line, but we made a stop to purchase the pint glass.  This is an absolutely essential, the tasting glass is a scant 6 ounce glass versus the 16 ounce pint.  If you purchase your pint they will fill that each time you go for a refill.  You can also bring your pint glass back each visit.  If you are lucky you will get to sit at one of the wooden picnic tables are the few other scattered seating areas. However, you don’t seem to mind the standing once you get your first pint of their cold, delicious and refreshing beer. One of my personal favorites is the Brown, my husband prefers the IPA.  If you don’t get a table, people come and go you will eventually find a place to park and visit with others that love good beer and good times.

These top quality beers are an integral part of the Houston scene. Everywhere you go, the St. Arnold symbol is available on tap and in bottles. But there is “no place like home,” for St. Arnold beers.  My husband and I have visited a lot of microbreweries across the country, from San Francisco to New York, but have never encountered the type of crowd that we did at Saint Arnolds.  Everyone is fun loving and enthusiastic about the event and ready to share their knowledge about the area and Saint Arnold.  We have never seen such a large crowd of people all gathered in one place simply to taste beer, except for maybe a festival, but here in Texas, nothing is every done on a small scale.

Whether you live in Houston, are just visiting or in the area, if you are a beer lover or just enjoy a good time with about 200 of your closest strangers you should pack a lunch, grab some snacks and join the crowd at St. Arnolds.

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