Who is Saint Arnold Brewing Company?
Saint Arnold touts itself as Texas’ Oldest Craft Brewery. While the folks brewing Shiner Bock at Spoetzl Brewery might challenge that claim, Saint Arnold has absolutely made a name for themselves in the Texas beer scene.
Named after the patron saint of hop pickers & brewers, the team at Saint Arnold Brewing Company has been brewing beer in Texas since 1994. The Texas craft beer scene is a fairly recent phenomenon, so Saint Arnold’s has been a staple in the industry since the beginning.
Where is Saint Arnold Brewing Company?
Saint Arnold’s beer garden and restaurant opened up in 2018. The location is situated in an industrial area near downtown Houston, TX so your nearest airports are IAH & HOU. The location is a masterpiece in its own right: it features funky art cars of all shapes & sizes, a beer hall reminiscent of a cathedral, and a dog-friendly beer garden that is decked-out with lawn games & socially distanced tables.
Houston wasn’t on my radar for a brewery tour until I saw what Saint Arnold had built here. I quickly learned that Houston has a number of great breweries worth visiting in person, but Saint Arnold was easily one of our favorites. This location is a testament to the reputation that Saint Arnold has built & cultivated over the past 2+ decades of operations.
If the expansive beer garden & picturesque brewery location aren’t tempting enough, Saint Arnold has one more trick up their sleeve: visitors can exchange empty six-pack carriers for rewards every weekend. I love seeing businesses find ways to reduce/reuse/recycle. The recycling program is ingenious, and it rewards loyal patrons with everything from koozies to tap handles.
What’s so special about Saint Arnold’s French Press?
Saint Arnold’s French Press is something to behold. Released in the month December, this imperial porter (9.4% ABV, 48 IBU) is loaded with coffee & chocolate flavor while being sneakily boozy.
Saint Arnold teamed up with Houston-based Java Pura Coffee Roasters to brew up this dark & roasty beer.
For 2020, Saint Arnold upped the ante by releasing 3 limited edition versions:
- French Press (available in six-packs)
- Bourbon Barrel French Press (sold as individual bottles)
- Cognac Barrel French Press with Geisha coffee (sold as individual bottles)
How does Saint Arnold’s French Press taste?
This imperial porter makes it clear what to expect right on the label: rich & roasty notes abound.
The French Press-inspired beer is true to its name and pours a dark & opaque color. I poured a bit heavy and was rewarded with a resilient & foamy head.
The aroma is wonderfully full of coffee & cocoa powder and gives you an enjoyable complex bouquet.
Saint Arnold crafted this beer with a nice body without it feeling too thick or oily. The carbonation & roastiness suggest a lighter body than you might expect from a 9%+ ABV beer.
I got a very roasty first sip that felt slightly one-dimensional, but this imperial coffee porter really opened as it warmed a bit. The java & chocolate notes make themselves known, and a pleasant milk chocolate sweetness sweeps in later on in the beer.
This imperial porter is surprisingly drinkable. I couldn’t believe that this porter is listed at 9.4% ABC because the expected boozy flavor was nowhere to be found. Take it slow with this one; this coffee porter is deceptively poundable.
Final Thoughts
Give this beer some time to open up a bit as you enjoy it. I was concerned after my first couple of sips because I wasn’t getting all the flavors at first, but they came through strong soon after.
Saint Arnold made a banger with this one, and I love that they partnered with a local coffee roaster to boot. This imperial porter is perfect for sipping while plopped on the couch during the holiday season. Be warned: if you reach for a 2nd French Press can, you may find yourself unable to get off the couch for the rest of the day!
It isn’t easy for a craft brewery as old & established as Saint Arnold to continue competing with newer & more innovative breweries, but these folks in Houston seem to be doing everything right to stay relevant. If you ever find yourself near downtown Houston, do yourself a favor and take a detour to Saint Arnold’s awesome beer garden. Have you had a chance to sample Saint Arnold’s French Press or any of their barrel-aged variations? Connect with us on Instagram & send us a pic!
