St Arnou
One of Australia's first craft beer companies, founded 2001.
St Arnou, a privately owned brewery based in Sydney, was among the first craft beer companies in Australia, launching in 2001. Its name honors Saint Arnoul, the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers. The business traces its roots to 1999, when Brian Watson opened a St Arnou Brewery Restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand. In July 2001, Matthew Beggs incorporated the operation into a new Australian entity, St Arnou Limited, with Watson taking charge of sales, marketing, and production. The company opened its first brewpub in 2002 at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane, but ceased operations between 2015 and 2017.
Initially selling only draught beer, St Arnou began bottling and distributing its St Arnou Premium Blonde—a Belgian-style pale lager—in 2006. This was followed by the St Arnou Pilsner and later the St Arnou Premium Light. A national distribution deal with Watershed Premium Wines, a Margaret River winery, made the beers widely available across Australia and Singapore. The company originally brewed in Queensland and New South Wales, later shifting production to Australian Independent Brewers’ facility in Smeaton Grange, near Sydney.
The beer lineup included the St Arnou Pilsner, a triple-filtered full-flavored beer using Saaz hops, which won awards at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2008, and a gold medal at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2000. The St Arnou Premium Blonde, made from premium barley and pale wheat malts, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2006 and 2008. The St Arnou Pale Ale, a European-style ale, earned Australian International Beer Awards in 2004 and 2006, and a silver medal at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2001. The St Arnou St Cloud, a Belgian-style cloudy beer with a white head, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2004 and 2006, and gold medals at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2000 and 2001. The St Arnou Premium Light, brewed with Saaz hops and an extended maturation period, displayed the character of a full-strength beer and won Australian International Beer Awards in 2005, 2006, and 2008.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Sydney, Australia
- Owner
- St Arnou Brewing Pty Ltd
- Founded
- 2001
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The company traces its origins to 1999, when Brian Watson opened the St Arnou Brewery Restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand. In July 2001 the business was incorporated into a new Australian brewing operation, St Arnou Limited, set up by Matthew Beggs. Watson became responsible for sales, marketing and production. The company is named after Saint Arnoul, the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers. Initially the company only offered draught beer, but in 2006 it commenced bottling and distributing the St Arnou Premium Blonde, a Belgian-style pale lager. This was followed by the St Arnou Pilsner and then the St Arnou Premium Light. The company entered into a national distribution arrangement with Margaret River winery, Watershed Premium Wines, which led to its products being widely available throughout Australia and Singapore. The company originally brewed its beers in Queensland and New South Wales, before utilising Australian Independent Brewers facilities in Smeaton Grange, near Sydney.
Reader's Guide
St Arnou holds a notable place in Australian brewing history as one of the first craft beer companies in the country. Its beers earned multiple awards at the Australian International Beer Awards and the New Zealand International Beer Awards. The St Arnou Pilsner, using Saaz hops and triple filtered, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2008, and a gold medal at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2000. The St Arnou Premium Blonde, a blend of premium barley and pale wheat malts, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2006 and 2008. The St Arnou Pale Ale, an European styled ale, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2004 and 2006, and a silver medal at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2001. The St Arnou St Cloud, a Belgian-style cloudy beer with a white head, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2004 and 2006, and gold medals at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in 2000 and 2001. The St Arnou Premium Light, using Saaz hops and an extended maturation period, won Australian International Beer Awards in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The company closed between 2015 and 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is St Arnou?
St Arnou is a privately owned brewery headquartered in Sydney that launched in 2001 and is widely credited as one of Australia's first craft beer companies.
Where does the name St Arnou come from?
The brewery's name is a tribute to Saint Arnoul, historically venerated as the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewing traditions.
What are some of St Arnou's most well-known beers?
Their core range included the St Arnou Pilsner, Premium Blonde, Pale Ale, St Cloud, and Premium Light.
When did St Arnou open its first brewpub?
The company opened its first brewpub in 2002 at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane, marking its entry into the on-premise craft beer scene.
What happened to St Arnou?
The brewery ceased operations between 2015 and 2017, bringing an end to its roughly fifteen-year run as a pioneer of the Australian craft beer movement.
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