Saint Arnold Brewing Co. to participate in 2014 Hops for Heroes

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. signed on to participate in the collaborative brewing effort known as ‘Hops for Heroes.’ By bringing together craft brewers and suppliers to brew, package and market Homefront IPA, the initiative raises funds for Operation Homefront, a charity that provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of U.S. service members and wounded warriors.

Saint Arnold plans to extend the collaborative spirit of Homefront IPA by seeking volunteers, including Houston-area veterans, to help with the zesting of nearly 2,000 oranges, which is a labor-intensive part of the recipe. The zest-a-thon will get underway at 5 p.m. on April 30.

“When we last participated in Hops for Heroes in 2012, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Operation Homefront, and I have great admiration for the work they do,” said Brock Wagner, founder/brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing Co. “It is a bonus that Homefront IPA is a good beer and we have an opportunity to collaborate with other craft breweries that we respect.”

Saint Arnold is one of 11 craft breweries across the country participating in Hops for Heroes. Others include 21st Amendment Brewery, Center of the Universe Brewing Co., Cigar City Brewing, Fremont Brewing Co., Left Hand Brewing Co., Maui Brewing Co., Palmetto Brewing Co., Perennial Artisan Ales, Sly Fox Brewing Co. and Stone Brewing Co.

Suppliers have signed on to donate everything from malt, hops and labels to bottles, branding and boxes. Several distributors also agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from the sale of Homefront IPA. Participating organizations include:

• Action Box
• Ben E. Keith Co.
• Brewers Supply Group
• Capitol Beverage Co.
• Del Papa Distributing
• Hops Direct LLC
• Inland Label
• L & F Distributors
• Louisville Slugger
• Mark Trece Inc.
• Mike Hopkins Distributing
• Primer Grey
• Rahr Malting Group
• Silver Eagle Distributors
• The Bottle Shop

Saint Arnold expects to release Saint Arnold Homefront IPA the week before Memorial Day. It will be available in 22-ounce bottles throughout Texas. In 2012, Saint Arnold, along with Silver Eagle Distribution and The Bottle Shop, presented checks totaling more than $120,000 to Operation Homefront Texas. It is a record fundraising amount that still stands.