Tap Handle #866: St. Arnold

12/31/2025 11:29:00 PM

Tap Handle #866: St. Arnold

Tap size: 9.25"

Rarity: 10 or less seen, tap no longer produced

Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

This tap handle depicts Saint Arnolf of Metz, the St. Arnold Brewery's seventh-century patron saint namesake; however, the face of Saint Arnolf on the tap actually appears to be modeled after founder Brock Wagner, based on comparisons with photographs from the mid to late 2000s. This also helps date the tap back to around the 2005-2007 range, as Wagner's look has changed over time - no beard and no eyeglasses, a beard and eyeglasses, etc., so this period is when the tap appearance matched his look. The figure wears traditional bishop's vestments: a deep red robe with gold trim and a matching red mitre adorned with blue jewels, gold banding, and a distinctive U-shaped cutaway at the crest. I have always wondered what that cutaway is for, it's so unusual, but have no clue why it's there. The character has a graying beard and friendly expression, and holds a foaming mug of beer in his right hand while his left hand is raised in an approving gesture. A gold silhouette of Texas appears on the mug. He stands on a round white base; on the base is the name of the brewery in raised black letters. Some taps have had a sticker under the brewery name that reads "Amber Ale" (that is the beer variety which I will be profiling). Less than a handful of these have appeared on the secondary market since the first in 2011. The historical price range has been $110-$170, but the last one appeared in 2021 and sold for $200.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas' oldest craft brewery, was founded in Houston in 1994 by Rice University alumni Brock Wagner and Kevin Bartol. Wagner, who grew up in Cincinnati and Brussels, developed a passion for beer and homebrewing during his college years when his Lovett College resident adviser Bob Walp introduced him to the hobby in 1985. After graduating with an economics degree in 1987, Wagner spent six years in investment banking working on mergers and acquisitions before deciding to pursue his true calling. In 1993, Wagner enlisted Bartol's help and the two raised approximately $900,000 to launch the brewery, selecting Houston because it was the largest American city without a microbrewery at the time.

The company shipped its first keg of Amber Ale on June 9, 1994, from a small warehouse at 2522 Fairway Park Drive in northwest Houston. The founders named their operation after Saint Arnulf of Metz, a seventh-century bishop recognized as the patron saint of brewers, who according to legend advised his parishioners to drink beer rather than contaminated water and performed a miracle of multiplying beer for pilgrims transporting his remains. The early years for Wagner and Bartol proved challenging as Houstonians were unfamiliar with craft beer and Texas' restrictive liquor laws prohibited breweries from selling directly to consumers. Wagner later noted that the brewery "wasn't the first" in Texas - it simply "outlasted everyone else."

Kevin Bartol departed the business around 1999, leaving Wagner as sole owner by 2003. Under Wagner's leadership, Saint Arnold steadily grew despite the difficult regulatory environment. The brewery's popular Saturday tours became a Houston institution, drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually who enjoyed samples included in the tour price - a workaround for the state's prohibition on direct sales. Wagner also became a prominent advocate for reforming Texas beer laws, spending over a decade lobbying alongside the Texas Craft Brewers Guild for legislative changes.

By 2008, Saint Arnold had outgrown its original 18,000-square-foot facility and purchased a three-story, 104,000-square-foot brick building at 2000 Lyons Avenue in Houston's Northside district, just north of downtown. The historic structure, constructed in 1914, had most recently served as a food service warehouse for the Houston Independent School District. After extensive renovation - delayed by setbacks including the theft of copper pipes from the building - the brewery completed its move in spring 2010. The new facility featured a brewhouse purchased from Klosterbrauerei Raitenhaslach, a former Bavarian monastery brewery, and expanded Saint Arnold's capacity from approximately 26,000 barrels to over 100,000 barrels annually. The relocation was financed in part through 100 investors who acquired 30% of the company and an SBA loan.

The 2013 legislative session brought sweeping reform to Texas beer laws, finally allowing breweries to sell beer directly to consumers for on-premises consumption. Wagner and the Texas Craft Brewers Guild played instrumental roles in achieving this victory, which sparked explosive growth in the state's craft brewing industry. While the changes benefited newer breweries most directly, Saint Arnold capitalized on the new laws by planning a long-dreamed expansion. In July 2018, the brewery opened a 25,000-square-foot beer garden and restaurant adjacent to the main brewery. Designed by Natalye Appel + Associates with a cathedral-inspired aesthetic, the space features murals by local Houston artists, views of the downtown skyline, bocce courts, and a full-service kitchen led by Executive Chef Ryan Savoie.

Saint Arnold has earned recognition as one of the most decorated breweries in the southern United States. The brewery was named Mid-Size Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival twice, in 2017 and 2023, and has accumulated 29 GABF medals and 14 World Beer Cup medals over its history. Notable award-winning beers include Fancy Lawnmower (a German-style Kölsch), Elissa IPA, Weedwacker (a Bavarian hefeweizen), and Pumpkinator. The brewery distributes throughout Texas and Louisiana and employs over 200 people. Wagner has remained at the helm for over three decades, mentoring numerous brewers who have gone on to launch their own operations, and continuing to advocate for the craft brewing industry while building what he describes as "an institution Houston is proud of."

Saint Arnold Amber Ale is the brewery's flagship product and first official brew, released in June 1994. This American amber ale offers a rich, malty body with pleasant caramel character derived from specialty Caravienne malt. A complex hop aroma with floral and citrus notes comes from a combination of Cascade and Liberty hops. The beer pours a clear amber-orange with a rich, creamy head and fine lace. Light fruitiness characteristic of ales is derived from the brewery's proprietary yeast strain. At 6.2% ABV and 32 IBU, it presents balanced sweetness and bitterness with a crisp, dry finish. The Amber Ale has won multiple GABF medals, including bronze in 2017 and 2018, and a World Beer Cup bronze in 2023.