Chron By Ronnie Crocker July 20, 2018
The metal building seems to blend right in with the industrial cityscape, a humble jumble of small machine shops, a recycling business and concrete pillars for a road project. Hard to the west stands an imposing red-brick former warehouse where Saint Arnold beer has been brewed, kegged, canned and bottled for most of the last decade.
But as you cross the railroad tracks to approach — and on this stretch of Lyons Avenue, there's a crossing in each direction — stark differences come into focus. This building is brand-new shiny, the fencing is modern and arty. The grounds are immaculate, with trees rising to a uniform height. And ... are those bocce ball courts?
Houston's latest tourist destination is as full of surprises as the city itself.
Brock Wagner, who founded Saint Arnold Brewing Co. 24 years ago, realized one dream in 2009 when he moved his overstuffed and un-air-conditioned brewery from a light-industrial park near Northwest Mall to a century-old warehouse. He converted that space into an iconic production facility with plenty of room to grow and an upstairs beer hall that has hosted countless tours, parties and private events.
Now he's realized another dream: An outdoor beer garden with myriad ways to entertain oneself and a restaurant that evokes the great European churches of 1,000 years ago with arches, heavy chandeliers and sumptuous murals by six local artists adorning separate dining alcoves he refers to as "chapels."
After a weeklong soft opening to iron out the kinks for 153 new servers, kitchen staff and managers, the beer garden is formally open to the public seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. or later.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Saint-Arnold-beer-garden-now-open-for-Houston-13091924.php
