Saint Arnold Brewing Co. reports production increased 19 percent in 2013

This fresco of Arnold of Soissons, patron saint of hop-pickers, greets visitors of Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

Saint Arnold Brewing Co., the oldest craft brewery in Texas, reported record shipments of more than 58,000 barrels (bbls) of beer in 2013. It was the third consecutive year that the brewery’s production has increased by approximately 9,000 bbls from the previous year, representing a 19 percent boost in overall production. Saint Arnold’s production has more than doubled since moving operations to its current brewery on the northern edge of downtown Houston in early 2010.

Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower Beer was the brewery’s top seller in 2013, followed by Amber Ale and Santo, a black Kölsch that was introduced in 2011 and won a World Beer Cup medal in 2012. When combined, the brewery’s lineup of seasonal beers sells more than any one year-round brew.

“As we head toward our 20th anniversary in June and reflect on how we got here, I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished both in terms of the beer and food we provide and the role we’ve played in helping to encourage the community to embrace craft beer,” said Brock Wagner, founder and brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing. “We anticipate continued growth, but our priority is to continue brewing beers we love and building community wherever we go.”

In the coming months, Saint Arnold will add a brew kettle and transform its operation into a four-vessel brewhouse. This will increase capacity from its current 90,000 bbls to approximately 240,000 bbls and accommodate production needs for the foreseeable future.

Beyond its regular lineup of high-quality and flavorful beers, 2013 was a year of innovation and experimentation for Saint Arnold. The brewers rolled out four new barrel-aged beers in the Bishop’s Barrel series, Divine Reserve No. 13, four new beers under the Saint Arnold Icon label, as well as special releases of Saint Arnold Weizenbock and Saint Arnold Fresh Hop Ale. Additionally, Saint Arnold began distributing in Colorado and Florida in 2013, and opened the first kitchen in a production brewery in Texas, which serves lunch daily.

Houston remains Saint Arnold’s largest market, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth. San Antonio recorded 59 percent growth in 2013, making it the fastest growing market. Over the past decade, Saint Arnold’s production has more than quintupled.