The beer garden at the Saint Arnold Beer Garden and Restaurant in Houston has multiple picnic tables in the shade, a bocce court, and a fountain made from an upside down brew kettle Credit: Gerald McLeod

Saint Arnold Brewing Company turned 30 years old last year. That makes the Houston brewery the oldest independent craft brewery in the state. 

I made my first pilgrimage to the brewery in a warehouse in northwest Houston soon after it shipped its first keg on June 9, 1994. Saint Arnold isn’t the only Texas craft brewery I follow, but it is one of my favorites. 

After the brewery moved to its current location in a three-story red-brick building in 2010, I visited the second-floor taproom in a big beer hall with windows overlooking the giant stainless-steel kettles several times. 

That’s why when I visited the beer garden and restaurant that opened next door to the brewery, I was bowled over. The outdoor space is like somebody’s backyard with a bocce court, picnic tables, and a fountain made from an upside-down top of a brew kettle that looks like a giant champagne glass. 

Saint Arnold Beer Garden and Restaurant serves a variety of pub grub in the beer garden or indoor restaurant Credit: Gerald McLeod

The restaurant is like a cathedral to beer. Wooden arches span the roof and frescos by local artists decorate the walls. The menu is essentially pub grub of burgers, pizza, and salads. With more than 15 beers on tap, the hard part was deciding which to pair with lunch. 

Behind the kitchen is a small art car museum with half a dozen or so cars that have participated in the world’s largest gathering of art cars. Saint Arnold has been a sponsor and enthusiastic participant in the parade many times. 

According to the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, there are at least 17 small breweries with a Houston address and more than 300 independent breweries around the state. I encourage you to seek them out. 

Saint Arnold Brewing Company is at 2000 Lyons just off I-10 north of downtown Houston. The restaurant and beer garden are open daily. Tours of the brewery happen Thursday through Monday.  

Outback of the restaurant is a garage holding several art cars that have appeared in the Art Car Parade in past years Credit: Gerald McLeod

1,775th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.

This article appears in October 10 • 2025.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.