(Prudent Press Agency)---Beer making equipment in Texas often has to compete with the family car for space in the garage. On Sunday, February 28th, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, the oldest craft brewery in Texas, will coax homebrewers from their cramped garages for a membership rally for the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). The celebration of brewing’s grassroots will connect homebrewers with other beer enthusiasts and professional brewers.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company was the first to hold an AHA Rally, a concept that has since been adopted across the country.


The event allows brewers and beer enthusiasts with varying levels of experience and knowledge about the brewing process to meet others in the local brewing community, share ideas and sample beer. Today, the AHA estimates that nearly 750,000 Americans brew beer at home at least once per year. There are more than 19,000 members of the AHA.

“Homebrewers defy stereotypes,” said Brock Wagner, who began homebrewing as an undergrad at Rice University. “Some approach it like cooking, others like art and some like science. The AHA Rally is a great way to share our passion about beer with other beer enthusiasts and continue to encourage the emergence of a craft brewing culture in Texas.”

Each year Saint Arnold Brewing hosts the Big Batch Brew Bash, which is the biggest single-style homebrewing competition in the world. For each of the past four years the winning recipe served as the inspiration for Saint Arnold Divine Reserve (Nos. 3, 5, 7 and 8). Each has been greeted by intense demand and sold out in a day or two. Another winning entry from the 1990s served as the basis for Saint Arnold Winter Stout, which became one of the brewery’s five seasonal offerings.

The AHA Rally is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28th at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Avenue in Houston. Admission is free for AHA members (includes one significant other). The cost of admission for non-members (plus one significant other) is $33, which includes an annual membership to AHA. RSVP to Ann by e-mailing ann@saintarnold.com or calling 713-686-9494.