Saint Arnold Santo - Saint Arnold Brewing Company

doubledteague

Texas

2.63/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle into a frosty pint glass.

A- Dark redish brown, nice brownish white head, dissipates rather quickly but leaves some very nice lacing.

S- Not much of an aroma to this one, slighlty malty, maybe just a very slight hint of caramel.

T- Same can be said for taste as for smell, not much taste to it. Again little malty, i missed the caramel though. This beer tasted like a very very weak bock.

M- Light bodied, medium carbonation, dont get any kind of suttle hints of the abv in this either.

O- This beer is not bad, but far from great also. I could see having several of these in a sitting with a meal, however this is not a full flavored beer, or something I would highly recommend to the beer connoisseur. A good start though for someone who is used to the typical big brewery beers and looking to try something new.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:50:45 | More by doubledteague

oline73

Maryland

2.65/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a mostly clear dark amber/brown with quite a bit of red in it. There is a small layer of off white head that leaves a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Very mild, the only thing I'm really picking up is slightly sweet bready malt.

Taste: Tastes like an average brown ale. Mildly sweet malt, a bit nutty/roasty, but not much else.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Really boring and I'm not sure the style is correct. Not again.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 00:46:36 | More by oline73

jamescain

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to texasclimber for sharing this one with me, poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Dark brown with reddish hues, almost black, topped off with a thin off white head that quickly fades to a thin lacing.

Aroma: Slight roasted character and a touch of fruit, but nothing much else.

Taste: Again, roasted characteristics and mild fruitiness, plan and somewhat boring.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with medium-high carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I'm glad I was allowed to taste this beer before I decided to invest in a 6 pack. I did not like it and to this day have only actually enjoyed a few St. Arnolds beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 19:41:31 | More by jamescain

bens0n

Texas

2.85/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer pours a dark brown amber color, fairly clear, not murky or cloudy at all. Very minimal amount of foamy head.

Smell wise this beer is not very aromatic, it has a subtle malt that pulls through the mild spiciness, nothing special here.

Flavor wise there is a nice blend of spicy and coffee notes, nothing really stands out though, its well blended but not really smooth.

It was on the watery side and not really easy to put down especially with the meager 4.7 abv it puts out. Its in the moderate sipper category for me and I didn't even bother finishing it. If it had more carbonation, maybe some crispness or a more characteristic finish I would have probably enjoyed it more but its just one of those beers that in a hit or miss game, is a miss. Sip after sip I was hoping it was going to get better as it warmed up but I was really disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 18:58:24 | More by bens0n

specksnreds

Texas

2.93/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Looks like a pretty root beer without the head. Smells like not-much-to-right-home-about. Some sweetness on the sniffer, but it's a hunting expedition in the Amazon to find it. Bubbly on the tongue, more so than I expected due to the lack of foamy head. It doesn't taste like much at all. It's soooo subtle with a bit of toasted Grape Nuts in the finish. Hops weren't invented when this beer was brewed. That's the only reason I can think of for there not being any. A black lager/Kolsch (I guess) that needs more flava-flave.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 23:52:01 | More by specksnreds

CEversole

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark brown almost black color, with a half finger white head that dissapates to almost non-existant. Hardly any lacing at all. Very low retention.

S: Not very aromatic at all. Bready and malty. The usual I guess.

T: I can definately taste some heavy malt, as well as some sugar agents. Maybe a small hint of coffee but not really sure. The background flavors are hard to place. I get some nuttiness in the background as well.

M: Great mouthfeel. I think the carbonation is just right. Very clean and crisp, as it should be.

O: I wouldn't say I'm dissapointed by any means, however there are much better examples of the style out there. This is a great average beer for an average (not to over the top) beer drinker. This would be good for intro. to people who are new to the hobby. About what I expected from saint arnold.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 23:21:16 | More by CEversole

Mora2000

Texas

3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer pours a dark brown color with an off-white head. The aroma is a mix of toffee and toasted malt, with some earthy hops. There is also a little bit of chocolate in the aroma. The flavor is somewhat strange. I get some toffee and roasted malt, but there is also some earthy and grass notes. The finish is pretty clean like you would expect from a kolsch, but other than that this tastes more like a standard dunkel lager or something similar. Thin mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 03:05:34 | More by Mora2000

kcbearkat

Texas

3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a Saint Arnold Spring Bock pint glass.

A: Pours dark brown from the bottle. It appears to be like dark maple syrup when help up to light and is accompanied by a thin tan head.

S: The smell is kind of basic. Roasted dark malts with a slight bit of floral. Not bad by any means, but average.

T: Dark malts, slightly burnt sugar. Flavor disappears rather quickly, just like a Kolsch. It's refreshing.

M: This has a medium carbonation with a thin mouthfeel.

This is a completely average dark beer with the plus that the flavor doesn't linger very long. It's not mind blowing but I'm not sure it was really trying to be either. A very drinkable beer from Brock at SA.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 22:28:05 | More by kcbearkat

gtermi

Texas

3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: The beer is a nice dark brown with a thin head.

S: The smell is very nice with a good amount of roastedness.

T: The taste is a hufe let down. It has a little bit of roastedness, but also is pretty bland.

M: The beer is pretty average, it has a decent amount of carbonation.

O: I was pretty disappointed with this beer. Saint Arnold makes good beers, but this is by far the worst one by them I have had.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 06:02:13 | More by gtermi

heimbrauer

Texas

3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pub glass.

A: Pours dark brown from the bottle. About a finger tan head that actually lasted quite a bit.

S: The smell is a little metallic. Not much in the hop or malt department. Though a little breadiness comes through. Could be the munich malt.

T: Almost identical to lawnmower. I thought the different malt bill would have changed the profile completely. No hop bitterness (as expected with a Kolsch), but no truly pronounced dark malt character either. A little in the beginning, but disappears rather quickly.

M: Thin with medium carbonation.

This is an average beer. I was expecting a little more dark malt character. If you are a lawnmower fan, then you will enjoy this. Otherwise, if you are looking for something more complex, look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:24:49 | More by heimbrauer

zander4dawin

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours a deep amber/light brown color with nice clearity and a thin tighty knit head.
Smell - Faint roasted malt smell, slight bit of caramel and floralness.
Taste - Roasted malt, burnt sugar, and other black beer characteristics with the clean finish and bite of a traditional kolsch.
Mouthfeel - Feels just like Lawnmower, very light bodied and thin feeling but with some darker beer taste.

It's a decent beer but I think's there's some better options for a highly drinkable beer with dark beer tastes such as Full Sail Sessions Black.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 03:14:17 | More by zander4dawin

depechemode1983

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Color is deep mahogany. Looks blood red when held to the light. The head is tan and has decent retention. No lacing. The best part of the appearance is definitely the color.

S - Smells like lightly toasted grains, metal, and corn nuts. Original flavor. That's what I get.

T - Toasted grains initially. Then you get a little cocoa. Then a low frequency finish. Pretty single digit. Nothing special.

M - Medium bodied with a soda pop like carbonation. Enough said.

O - Another mediocre Saint Arnold beer. Just an average unremarkable beer. Not bad, but not worthy of a second purchase.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 21:18:02 | More by depechemode1983

vande

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a - black and flat, like a couple of day old cola... strange for a kolsch, but a black kolsch - eh, something new...

s - roasted/bready malt...nothing crazy though.

t - watery, roasted flavor...some breadiness...but this one didn't do a whole lot for me unfortunately.

m - somewhat thin, like a kolsch should be I spose, but a bit watery...

o - eh... glad i tried, wouldn't necessarily seek out again though.. i like S.A. other brews I've been lucky enough to have...maybe kolsch not my style...

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 18:05:07 | More by vande

SkipWeathers

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Crisp, black, malty and clean taste. Mild chalky bitterness lingering. No oil or fruit present. This was kind of a mystery beer to me because of the cool art on the label (also, bottlecap is nice design too) and the lack of any description of the brew. As I understand it's a "black kolsch." Seems to fit Texas to a "T." Burnt roast mild coffee-like flavor with refreshing light brew. Kind of a nice mix.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 02:31:25 | More by SkipWeathers

waldoiverson

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

bottle into nonic

A: Cola brown, fairly thin looking body, good carbonation but low retention

S: crisp cracker with a hint of carob, maybe a bit of green apple, heaving co2

T: almost pear-like quality, a bit of toastiness but not much, somewhat chalky/malted milk-like in the finish

M: Very bright, effervescent, final finish is quite dry but clean, good.

O: It's an OK beer. It isn't big enough in any direction to really define its style. I did enjoy the mouthfeel and clean finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 21:48:12 | More by waldoiverson

diamondc

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

$7.99 a sixer. Bottled on 10/14/11. Cool bottle art.

A: I'm really surprised the amount of head on this beer. Almost every Saint Arnolds year round beer I've had had poor head retention. The head is a tan shade, the actual beer is dark brown. Looks good.

S: Caramel, popcorn, hot nuts. Just a tad chocolate.

T: A big roast flavor on the first sip. Subtle mocha, coffee, dark chocolate in the middle. And then it just disappears.

M: A bit fizzy, could have used a bit more body, but since this is a Black Kolsch (ha ha...), this might be to style.

O: Nothing memorable about this beer. Easy drinking though.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 00:57:25 | More by diamondc

SuperSpy

Georgia

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A reddish-brown color and a good sized (more than two-inch) head. Very clear and plenty of sticky lace.

The aroma is that of a very dark roast iced coffee with a hint of cocoa.

Light and crisp. Very refreshing. The dark roasted flavors are not as pronounced as the aroma led me to expect. There really isn't much flavor up front, but plenty of roasted flavors toward the end. Rather one dimensional but refreshing and tasty.

This beer is somewhat unique in texture and flavor. It's a very good beer for a hot day when you want something light but with more flavor than a light pilsner or koelsch. Otherwise, it's not outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 02:37:48 | More by SuperSpy

DavidST

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Well at least the bottle looks pretty cool. Anyways poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, bottled on 12/21/11. This pours a dark brown with a short lived lace leaving off white head. The smells have a biscuit hint along with mild hops but a little mild, a little dark malts. The feel is medium to light. The taste is light also, some biscuit malts, a little coco a hint of hop bite, okay but not great.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 04:53:15 | More by DavidST

champ103

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Richmond Arms in Houston, TX.

A: Pours a dark brown with some ruby highlights throughout. A two finger light beige head forms with good retention initially. After a few minutes that recedes to a small ring with light lace.
S: Dry toasted malts and grain up front and center. Bread and biscuit. Not much else.
T: Again, toasted almost burnt grains, bread, and biscuit dominate. Not feeling this one.
M/D: A medium body that is very crisp, dry, and effervescent. Not hard to put back a few if in the mood.

This did not really excite me. Besides some toasted and burnt grains, just kind of ho hum and average.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 01:34:42 | More by champ103

lnashsig

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A new offering from my local Houston brewery Saint Arnolds...here we go. A "Black Kolsch"- basically Lawnmower with roasted malts, right?

Poured from bottle into DFH snifter. Pours a murky brown/black color, reminiscent of brown tea as it leaves the bottle. Dark in color as it gets into the glass, but light gets through. Smell- roasted malt, tea leaves, a little bit of coffee and mocha. reminds me of a dobblebock in appearance and smell. Taste- tea leaves, a faint bitterness, maybe some coffee flavors again. Overall, not much here. A little bland and boring. Really rich carbonation here too. A realize that they are trying to make a session beer here, but I don't see ever making a session out of this. A little blah on this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 01:48:06 | More by lnashsig

VaterRoss

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into shaker, bottled 4/5/12

Pours a clear, dark brown with a small off white head that does stick around for long, very little lacing. Smell is of slightly fruity lager yeast with just a hint of chocolate coming from the malt. The taste is a subdued chocolately roasted malt with the lager yeast coming on pretty strong, perfect amount of mild hop bite to finish. Mouthfeel is medium weight and carb.

This aint no Kölsch, more like a Münchner Dunkel. Way too heavy and toasted and lagery to be a Kölsch, despite that this is a pretty good beer with light dark lager taste and body, pretty refreshing. I have reviewed this as a dark lager, as a Kölsch it is closer to a 2.

Perhaps this beer in its age lost some of the delicacies of the Kölsch and gained a toasted malt profile? /s

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 18:59:27 | More by VaterRoss

turfy

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a SN pint glass.

A - Nice appearance. A medium brown color and nice retentive head with decent lacing.

S - Slight roasted malt/ corn/grain aroma . Nothing earth shattering.

T - Slightly underwhelming. A lightly roasted or burnt grain taste with a hint of coffee.

M - It's just kind of 'there'. Carbonation is on the lighter side and body is medium.

O - I was hoping for something better. It can be interesting in a way but overall it's a 'meh' kind of beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 01:03:07 | More by turfy

2xHops

Texas

3.3/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

What is this beer?

I didn't realize it was dark, and that is certainly not what I expected when I ordered this beer at Flying Saucer.

It looked good and appetizing. It is dark, but not as dark as you'd see in black lagers or stouts.

it didn't taste as interesting or even good as I thought it might would. There is a slight roasted flavor (I mean, very slight) to the beer, and it was slightly bland.

I don't know if I'd order this beer again. It's hard to say if it's a good representation, because it's not a typical kolsch I thought it would be.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 20:37:14 | More by 2xHops

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a dark amber leaning towards mahogany.

Smells of malt, nuts, & spicy hops.

Spicy hops up front with a mild tartness, followed by a roasted malt nut flavor. I am trying this while visiting family in La.
This is a very interesting beer that is easy drinking and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 03:45:16 | More by Chickenhawk9932

bonkers

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to texasfan549, pours deep black with a 2" white head, nice lacing. The aroma has roasted notes, chocolate notes. The first sip has nice roasted and chocolate notes, then it faded a bit. It finishes light. The body is too thin, good carbonation. Black kolsch, maybe not the best idea. Not sure this is the proper style.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 03:39:14 | More by bonkers