For 30 years, Saint Arnold Brewing Company has been a Houston institution, releasing more than 100 different beers including staples such as Lawnmower, Amber Ale and Art Car IPA, and the origin of what is now the oldest craft brewery in Texas can be traced back to 1985 at Rice University. That’s when alumnus Brock Wagner ’87 started hanging out with his Lovett College resident adviser.
“We’d drink beer together,” Wagner said. “One day he pulls out all this homebrewing equipment to brew beer. I was already starting to get more interested in all the different beer styles, going out and trying different beers. That was the first time I home brewed, and it was like a switch went off that this is great.”
Wagner, then a mechanical engineering and economics major, started brewing in his sixth-floor room, even outfitting his refrigerator with a tap.
“I didn’t think it was going to be a career,” Wagner said. “I just thought it was something I enjoyed.”
After graduating in 1987 with a degree in economics and managerial studies, Wagner chose a career in investment banking. He says he learned a lot in those next six years - most importantly that he did not want to be an investment banker.
“I always knew I wanted to have my own company,” Wagner said. “I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, to start something and build something.”
Along with Kevin Bartol ’81, Wagner started building what would become Saint Arnold in 1993. On June 9, 1994, they shipped their first keg of Amber Ale.
In the 30 years since, Saint Arnold has moved to a larger facility, expanded its beer garden, grown to a team of more than 200 employees and racked up accolades, including being named the Great American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year twice.
“I will say that 30 years ago, I did not spend any time thinking about what I would be doing 30 years later or imagining this moment,” Wagner said. “It’s pretty exciting and rewarding.”
And Wagner, who donates to Beer Bike and hosts Lovett College seniors every year, has never forgotten where Saint Arnold’s story started.
“There’s so much going on at Rice,” Wagner said. “I love being a part of the community, giving back to it. Rice has certainly given a lot to me.”
Saint Arnold will mark its 30th anniversary with a public celebration June 8. You can learn more about the event here: www.saintarnold.com/30th-anni...