If it’s summer, it must be time for Saint Arnold’s

They say the classics never go out of style. Without some updates along the way, however, most ultimately do. Eventually, everything needs a little freshening up.

Beer branding and labels are no different.

The easiest examples that come to mind are from the big brewers. It seems like every six months anything with “Bud,” “Miller” or “Coors” on it changes.

Craft brewers don’t need to change clothes nearly as often, but sometimes, it’s sorely needed. Rahr & Sons rebranded a few years ago; Real Ale did it last year.

Houston’s Saint Arnold has carried the same classic branding and label scheme since its inception in 1994. With only a few exceptions like Santo and its Icon Series, the brewery’s labels featured the hand-sketched, red-robed Patron Saint of Brewers inside an oval with different patterns, color schemes and illustrations surrounding him to distinguish each beer.

It was fun, if a little corny. Much of the type was small and hard to read. Still, it was somewhat effective.

Seeing a Saint Arnold label, there was no mistaking who made it. With Fancy Lawnmower with its grassy background and Oktoberfest adorned in orange leaves, the brewery’s look has been established since some younger brewers were drinking from another kind of bottle.

However, as competition increased, Saint Arnold started to fade into the background more and more. New breweries and beers with sleek, modern packaging and bright colors sometimes overshadowed the understated color palette of the Texas icon. With one exception.

No matter how many other beers have crowded shelves, when Summer Pils makes its annual April arrival, it stands out. One of the brewery’s biggest fan favorites since 1997, Summer Pils features a tie-dyed label and the Saint Arnold character in sunglasses.

It was hard to imagine that label standing out more than its original design, but with Saint Arnold’s brand-new labels starting to emerge, it does. The new labels scream from store shelves with a similar color scheme as before, but with much sharper and bolder colors. Now more of a kaleidoscope than a tie-dye pattern, the new labels do their jobs. These beers refuse to be ignored.

The beer is inside is its same, thirst-quenching self. Somewhere between a pilsner and helles, Summer Pils feature a bright bouquet of noble hops that give it a grassy, clean finish. Not as hop-forward as many have come to expect from an American-made pilsners like Hans’ Pils, this is a beer’s beer that’s as refreshing as anything on the market.

Some fans will pine for the good ol’ days of the more demure, classic Saint Arnold labels. The new Lawnmower cans feature an almost highlighter-level green illustrated grass texture that is sure to make some purists grumpy about the change. Ultimately, Saint Arnold should see very positive returns from this update.

Quick Sips

Tip Jar release party: Fort Worth’s Martin House Brewing will host a release party for its newest beer at 2 p.m. Saturday at Flying Saucer Fort Worth, 111 E. Third St. The event features 11 local bands that inspired the dry-hopped wheat ale. There is no cover for the live music; beer and food specials will run throughout the event.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 11:08 PM with the headline "If it’s summer, it must be time for Saint Arnold’s."