Saint Arnold Brewing Company's Fashion Advice for Spring: Go Scruffy

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - February 18, 2008) - Whiskers are making a comeback this spring, thanks to Saint Arnold Brewing Company (www.saintarnold.com), the oldest craft brewery in Texas. For the second straight year, the Houston brewery has called upon Texans to put down their shavers from New Year's Day through March 17th for its St. Patrick's Day Donegal Beard Contest.

A Donegal is a beard with no mustache, similar to what a leprechaun would wear. The contest was inspired by the documentary, "Growin' a Beard," which depicts a similar annual competition that has been held in Shamrock, Texas since 1938. The film's director, Mike Woolf, has agreed to be a judge of this year's Saint Arnold competition.

"We are about seven weeks into the 12-week beard cultivation period and the beard has grown out enough that my wife will finally kiss me again," said Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing, who is sporting whiskers of his own. "People enjoy the camaraderie of an activity like this and it offers an excuse to do something that perhaps you always wanted to try but never had. It also cuts down on people seeking a job."

Entrants in the St. Patrick's Day Donegal Beard Contest had to be clean shaven when they registered at the brewery at the start of the year. They are judged on length, thickness, overall appearance of their beard, and various other factors that are not disclosed prior to judging. For instance, last year's finalists were evaluated on whose Donegal beard could absorb the most beer.

This year's winner will get to choose between an Apple iPhone or Nintendo Wii. The judging will take place during Saint Arnold's Third Annual St. Patrick's Day Party on Monday, March 17th. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with judging to start at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be $17 through March 15th or $22 at the door, which includes a commemorative pint glass. Call Ann at 713-686-9494 to make reservations.

Also, Saint Arnold Spring Bock, one of the brewery's seasonal offerings, is now available on tap and in 12-ounce bottles sold in six-packs and cases throughout Texas. An authentic German-style Bock with a rich, sweet complex malt flavor, Saint Arnold Spring Bock features five different types of malt, including 2-row pale malt from Germany, as well as specialty malts from Belgium.

Editor's Note: A photo of Brock Wagner sitting in the brewery's tasting room is available for download at www.dpkpr.com/attachments/files/63/Brock Wagner 025_1.jpg.

About Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Saint Arnold Brewing's ten brews are made and sold by the company's staff of 21 dedicated employees. The brewery was listed by USA Today as one of the "10 great places to see what's brewing in beer." It is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive and its brewery tour and tasting is offered every Saturday at 1:00 P.M. For more information on Saint Arnold's five year-round and five seasonal beers as well as root beer, log on to www.saintarnold.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Dan Keeney, APR DPK Public Relations (832) 467-2904