Saint Arnold Brewing Co. extends reach to Florida’s Gulf Coast markets

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. finalized agreements with distributors in Florida and will enter markets along Florida’s Gulf Coast this month. Florida is just the fourth state where Saint Arnold beers are available, joining Texas, Louisiana and Colorado.

Saint Arnold, which is named for Saint Arnold of Metz, the patron saint of brewers, is ranked 45th on the Brewers Association list of top craft breweries. It operates out of a 104,000-square foot, three-story brick building originally constructed in 1914 (that may also be haunted!). Saint Arnold’s brewhouse was imported from Klosterbrauerei Raitenhaslach, a Bavarian monastery.

Saint Arnold inked agreements with Coastal Beverage Ltd., Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Great Bay Distributors Inc., Lewis Bear Co., Peace River Distributing, Pepin Distributing Co., Suncoast Beverage Sales and Tri Eagle Sales. The agreements pave the way for Saint Arnold’s expansion into Gulf Coast Markets from Pensacola to Naples, Fla.

Initially, Florida beer fans will find the following on tap in restaurants and pubs, with gradually expanding retail distribution of six-packs:

Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower Beer – A true German-style Kölsch that is crisp yet has a sweet malty body that is balanced by a complex, citrus hop character. This delicate flavor is achieved through multiple additions of German Hallertauer hops.

Saint Arnold Elissa IPA — A hoppy beer that achieves proper balance with malty body despite huge hop additions in the kettle that give it a wonderful bitterness. Elissa IPA is dry hopped in the fermenter to create the pleasant floral, hoppy nose.

Saint Arnold Christmas Ale — A rich, hearty ale featuring five different malts, making it perfect for the holiday season with a malty sweetness and spicy hop character. It can be paired with fruit cake, Christmas pudding and squash bisque.