 HOUSTON, Jan. 12, 2010 – Saint Arnold Brewing Company (www.saintarnold.com), the oldest craft brewery in Texas, today reported record production of nearly 26,000 barrels of beer in 2009. The increase of nearly 3,000 barrels over 2009’s production total represents a 13 percent boost for the year.
According to the Brewers Association, Saint Arnold continues to outpace the craft brewing industry overall, which reported growth of five percent during the first six months of 2009. Overall US beer sales were down 1.3 percent in the first six months of 2009.
Saint Arnold Brewing’s production has increased 135 percent during the past five years.
Year Production % Growth
2009 25,710 barrels 13 percent
2008 22,749 barrels 28 percent
2007 17,811 barrels 30 percent
2006 13,638 barrels 25 percent
2005 10,946 barrels 20 percent
Saint Arnold Brewing’s growth was suppressed due to operating at 100 percent capacity throughout much of 2009 at its original Northwest Houston brewery. In late 2009, the company opened its new expanded brewery in a renovated historic building in downtown Houston. Saint Arnold expects to begin brewing beer at the new brewery later this month.
The expansion into the new facility ultimately will allow for an over 400 percent increase in brewing capacity. Once brewing begins, the new brewery will have an initial annual capacity of 40,000 barrels expandable up to 120,000 barrels per year.
“All growth in 2009 was in existing markets, which is very satisfying for us,” said Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing. “We have not added any new territories as we continue to focus on brewing for our local markets and communities. We would love to attain all of our production goals without ever shipping outside of Texas. We also benefitted from our distributor switch in 2009.”
Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower Beer surpassed Saint Arnold Amber Ale as the Company’s top selling beer in 2009. Saint Arnold Christmas Ale, which is only available part of the year, is the Company’s third highest seller. If the seasonals are added together, they become the Company’s top selling brand.
Editor’s Note: A complete photo set from the grand opening of Saint Arnold’s new brewery is available for download at http://picasaweb.google.com/eschipul/2009SaintArnoldRibbonCutting#. Please credit “Photos by Ed Schipul.”
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing's ten brews are made and sold by the company’s staff of 24 dedicated employees. The brewery was listed by USA Today as one of the “10 great places to see what’s brewing in beer.” It 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.
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